Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Riddell.
Hi Mark, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
My story is a patchwork of plot twists stitched together with the common thread of Houston as a setting. I grew up on the West side near the Addicks Reservoir in the 1980s, spending my days exploring the Buffalo Bayou and riding my bike around the largely undeveloped area. I think I’ve been chasing that sense of freedom that was afforded by those circumstances at a time before the cell phone age ever since. The school I attended was made up of a small student body, and we were encouraged to participate in any extra-curricular activities that interested us. I wanted to do all of them and got heavily involved in athletics, choir, theater, and music.
I attended college at Southwestern University, majoring in Psychology and Theater. I had grand plans to continue my education and become a therapist, but entering into a Ph.D. program was a daunting proposal after so many years of fairly rigorous education, so I moved back to Houston and got a job with a law firm, which eventually led to a decision to attend law school. Moving back to my hometown also opened doors to start playing bass with a few different bands, which I continued to pursue while I was studying law and after, while I was a practicing attorney.
I worked as a criminal defense attorney for five years or so, but converging life circumstances presented an opportunity to make a significant shift in my trajectory. I stopped practicing and started to pursue playing music full-time.
12 years have passed since that fateful decision, and I’ve managed to find that freedom of my childhood in working with dozens of singer-songwriters and artists, most of which are based out of the Houston area. I have a steady gig schedule playing with multiple groups around Texas and touring around the US. I teach lessons. I’m also fortunate to have work as a session player for a studio located in Sugar Land. There have been various side hustles over that period, as well, just to keep things interesting.
The patches continue to thread together, most recently including an incredibly supportive and beautiful human that I’m proud to call my wife and our three-year-old son.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I wouldn’t say it was a terribly difficult road, but taking the leap from being an attorney to doing something that I truly love full-time certainly presented some challenges. Most of them were financial, but I also felt that I had a lot of “catching up” to do as a musician in his mid-30s. Thankfully, I met some fantastic artists who became friends and family, encouraging me and offering me opportunities to stay the course.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I mainly play bass guitar, and I’d like to think I’m known for my work ethic. I take the time to work up songs on my own and strive to come into a new gig prepared and ready to do my part in making the presentation as good as it can be. I take that same attitude into the studio for session work. I think the most important job any musician has is to service the song. I’m sure there’s a larger life metaphor in there somewhere. I’ve been involved with quite a few projects (including my own album of original music) and recording sessions that I am extremely proud of, and there’s a certain level of satisfaction knowing that I’ve played a small part in contributing to the Great American Songbook.
What do you think about luck?
You can be a unique talent, prepare all you want, and practice all you want, but if you don’t think luck has something to do with success, then your ego needs to take a moment of self-reflection. I was lucky enough to have two gigs in particular offered to me when I made the switch to full-time musician. I was also very lucky to be invited to join a fledgling company offering lesson services at the same time. If it weren’t for those three pieces falling into place at a sensitive time, I would never have had the luxury to make the leap. I’m also extremely lucky to have had a family that supported me in these myriad pursuits over the years.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/someguyonbass?igshid=MjEwN2IyYWYwYw==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cryinin.pretzels?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3HF02iM2Or5NBt2TaUTsTz?si=K6ThJD3BRnuPulemc7OrjA
Image Credits
TMO Photography
TexasRedd Images
