Mercy’s Mark
When you talk of groups that are headed straight for the top, there is one name that comes to mind. When you think of the standard being raised to another level, there is one name that comes to mind. When you hear of great music being made by a new group, there is one name that comes to mind, and that name is Mercy’s Mark.
This fine, young group is turning heads all through Southern Gospel Music. I was privileged to be standing back stage as this group was preparing to perform during their premiere at CrabbFest 2004. There was an excitement, and an electricity in the air, that I haven’t sensed for many years. I soon learned it was well deserved. This group flat blew me away.
Founder of this great group is Garry Jones, former pianist for Gold City. Garry started in full time Southern Gospel Music at the tender age of 17 years with JG Whitfield. At 18 years old, he joined the Dixie Echoes and stayed there for one year before moving on to a little known group at the time, Gold City. After spending 13 1/2 years with Gold City, Garry decided to take some time off and spend more time with his family. He did stay involved and connected with SGM by starting a recording business, where he recorded many up and coming groups. After a while though, Garry began to miss the atmosphere and the people. So, after he could stand it no longer, he decided to make the plunge back into full time Southern Gospel Music. When asked why he decided to start his own group, Garry replied, “Situations change, but not desires.”
When he began putting this group together Garry was looking for a couple of things. First and foremost, he wanted men who were sold out to God, and unashamed of their love for the Lord. Secondly, and quite obviously, he wanted talented men who were well-crafted. He was also looking for chemistry. Chemistry with people and chemistry with each other. As Garry put it, “It’s one thing to sing together, but it’s another thing to live together.”
Garry wanted a fresh start, so he started a long search through many audition tapes as well as recommendations from relationships he had established during his many years in the business. He made a fresh start, but not an inexperienced start. Joining Garry is Tenor Anthony Facello. With more than 10 years in Southern Gospel Anthony is no stranger to Gospel Music. Born April 3, 1975, Anthony knew early in his life that he wanted to pursue music. He sang with his father and uncle in a family quartet for many years. This was where his strong desire to sing full-time began. At the age of 18, he began singing tenor with Heaven Bound, he traveled with them for many years before joining the Down East Boys. Most recently, he could be recognized as the tenor for The Journeymen Quartet. He was a nominee for Horizon Artist of The Year in the 1994 Singing News Magazine Awards. Anthony has already become one of the industry’s most powerful tenor singers.
Garry knew that he WAS going to have a strong group so stepping out in faith, he and Anthony went into the studio and worked on their first CD without even knowing who their Lead or Bass singers would be. All they had to do when they got their new singers was head for the studio. What a novel idea.
It didn’t take too long and Garry had found his singers. Joining him at Lead is Josh Feemster. Josh was born January 8, 1977 in Arab, Alabama. He is the youngest of three boys born into a singing family. His father and mother sang in a quartet, and much of his life was spent on a bus. He began playing drums for his parents’ quartet at the age of ten. In the summer of 1988, at a revival he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. At the age of 16, he found an interest in singing and spent the next two years singing with his family before joining the Singing Ambassadors. He later formed his own group and traveled locally before joining Mercy’s Mark Quartet.
Rounding out the bottom end of the group is Chris West. Long before Chris was born Southern Gospel Music filled his parents home. Upon his arrival July 11, 1975, he was introduced to singing. He traveled with several regional groups before forming a quartet with his brother. His major influences have been Gold City, Cathedrals and Gaither Vocal Band. Chris truly possesses a rare and unique quality of bass vocal that is usually only heard in bass singers well beyond his years.
Mercy's Mark is an interesting name for a group and I was curious as to how Garry came about choosing the name. As a child he was in a terrible accident. He was hit by a car that ran over his face, leaving some scars which he would carry the marks of for the rest of his life. He had often wondered how he could complain about the marks he has carried, when they didn’t compare to the marks that his Savior took for him. Then he got thinking about the Mercy that God had given him and the name, Mercy’s Mark was born.
I asked Garry what life was like on the road. He said that an old Gospel man once told him something that he just now understands. The old man said “Enjoy the process of getting there.” Garry understands that they are in that creative process of becoming a success and he is enjoying the journey. He relates it to watching his children growing up.
Garry says that they have no preconceived ideas of how a song should be performed. While Garry is a phenomenal pianist they also use tracks as they sing. Some songs lend themselves to big arrangements and orchestrations, while others just create a moment when performed at the piano. Garry insisted that Mercy's Mark will never forsake their tradition and roots of Southern Gospel music; however they do want to stretch beyond any one genre or style being able to push the boundaries they are working in. Part of that stretching is their freedom on stage. They feel their music from the top of their heads to the soles of their feet and they intend to show that as they perform.
Mercy’s Mark wants you to know that when you attend to one of their concerts, their goal is to touch you emotionally in every aspect and not just be a programmed concert. I believe that is true.
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[9] Comments
I love their CDs & hope to see them in person soon. Garry has done a fabulous job of putting this group together.
Written: 12/01/2004 
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