Mark Brinkman

Songwriter, performer

Mark “Brink” Brinkman has been writing songs his entire life along with being an avid bluegrass picker. He enjoys writing new songs for the bluegrass/Americana/Country genres for the most part. “

Brink”, as all his friends call him, has been a Merlefest Chris Austin Songwriting finalist 3 times. He has conducted workshops for several songwriting associations over the years sharing his knowledge and experience.

Many notable artists have recorded and/or played his songs including Don Rigsby, Wildfire, JD Crowe, Valerie Smith, Pine Mountain Railroad, Dwight McCall, Darrell Webb, The Kruger Brothers and Lou Reid among several others.

Brink is having a banner year in 2005 with 10 new releases by bands this year alone.

Along with writing, Brink has his own publishing company, “BRINKSONGS” and “MARK BRINKMAN SONGS” where he publishes for several other writers. He has published songs on recordings for artists like The Lonesome River Band, Kenny & Amanda Smith, Larry Stephenson Band, JD Crowe & the New South, Lou Reid & Carolina and The Boohers along with publishing all his own material.

Along with writing, Brink plays piano, guitar, banjo, and mandolin with several bands in Central Ohio.

He began playing classical piano at the age of four. Heavily influenced by the folk and rock groups of the 60s, he took up guitar and played everything from Kingston Trio to Jethro Tull.

His life and music changed dramatically in 1974 when he attended Bill Monroe's Bluegrass Festival at Bean Blossom Indiana and heard Bill Monroe & the Bluegrass Boys, Lester Flatt & the Nashville Grass, Jimmy Martin, and others. Today, he continues that path by writing Bluegrass, Americana, Country and Acoustic .

He performed his songs at local clubs around Madison, WI while attending college there. Over the next 25+ years he has continued to write music and perform around the country.