QUOTES & REVIEWS
“He’ll play the prettiest thing you ever heard, then do a 180 and start cranking on that acoustic like there’s no tomorrow, creating a freight train of a groove that drives right through you. It doesn’t matter the genre, Mark can play it.”
– John Urban, Isthmus Magazine
"Wonderful voice"
- Peter Gabriel
"HIs chord choices and rhythms are just icing on the cake to his fantastically written lyrics. Croft's voice is a special treat. Full, deep, and smooth; a perfect listening experience. "
- Andy Ziehli, Americana Gazette
"Its RARE that I make it through an entire album these days and even more rare that I want to hear more. Mark’s live album left no doubt that I needed to get him to Michigan so you could all see and hear him."
- Annie Capps, Host of "On The Tracks" Songwriter Showcase
"Croft's skill as a rhythm guitar player distinguishes his music. His up-tempo strumming and rapid-fire chord changes fill his songs with energy."
- Katjusa Cisar, Capital Times
“Croft can hold his head high on the basis of his solid reputation, four fine albums, and a loyal fan base…”
- Local Sounds Magazine
“This is one of the best musicians we’ve heard in a long time. Definitely check out his music.”
- Roy Elkins, BROADJAM Founder & CEO
“[He] isn't afraid of strong rhythms, which is part of the reason his polished singer-songwriter material is ready for prime time. Funk, blues, folk - it's all here. Croft is NOT just another guy with a guitar in the corner of a coffeehouse.”
- Isthmus Magazine
”Croft hit one out of the park with Evening Flood. It’s not very often you find 10 songs on a CD of this caliber! [Evening Flood] shows his best work to date and deserves to be heard by the masses.”
- Americana Gazette
"Croft's songs have just enough grit and substance to keep even the simplest of them grounded in the listener's ear."
- Rob Thomas, Wisconsin State Journal
"If Buddha and Jimi Hendrix had a funky nephew he would probably sound a lot like Mark Croft."
- Madison Songwriters Group
"...it's a treat for me to see the course of his evolution as a musical craftsman and lyrical poet. Yes, he writes songs that are fun and quixotic... but he also paints deeply poignant and sometimes disturbing images that provoke thought about our own life and times."
- Ken Olufs
"...a talented guitarist with a smooth voice and impressive range."
- Rick's Cafe
AWARDS & HIGHLIGHTS
WINNER:
Folk/Americana
Song of the Year
"For That Pretty Girl"
Madison Area Music Awards (2020)
*
TOP-10 FINALIST
2016 JBL EON
One Take Contest
*
FEATURED PERFORMER
2017 Listening Room Festival
St. Petersburg, FL
*
OFFICIAL SHOWCASE PERFORMER
Folk Alliance Region Midwest (FARM) Conference
Iowa City, IA
(October 2015)
*
WINNER:
Folk/Americana
Album of the Year
LIVE AT SHAKE RAG ALLEY
&
Cover Song of the Year
"Dancing in the Dark"
Madison Area Music Awards (2014)
*
SUMMERFEST 2014
The Mark Croft Band
Johnson Controls
Main Stage
Performer
*
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN SONGWRITING
TOP 5 FINISH
"One Mississippi"
Great American Songwriting Contest (2012)
*
3RD PLACE OVERALL
"One Mississippi"
Great Lakes Song Contest (2011)
*
COUNTRY RADIO SEMINAR (CRS) 2011
Solo Showcase Performer, Nashville,TN
*
2011 W.A.M.I. AWARD NOMINEE
"Singer/Songwriter of the Year"
WI Area Music Industry Awards
*
WINNER:
Male Vocalist of the Year
Madison Area Music Awards (2011)
*
WINNER:
"Male Vocalist of the Year"
"Best Pop Album"
"Best Pop Artist"
"Pop Song of the Year"
Madison Area Music Awards (2010)
*
2ND PLACE FINISH
"Is It Gonna Be Funky?"
2008 Great Lakes Song Contest
*
WINNER:
"Male Vocalist of the Year"
Madison Area Music Awards (2008)
*
VOTED:
"Favorite Singer/Songwriter"
Isthmus Magazine Reader's Poll (2008)
*
WINNER:
"Best New Artist"
Madison Area Music Awards (2006)
*
WINNER:
Midwest Song Contest, Overall Winner (2005)
*
WINNER:
American Idol Underground Rock Contest (2004)