In
April of 1994 Mark underwent a major operation for cancer. His left
tonsil was removed which was found to be hosting a 3.5cm tumour. Extensive
radiotherapy combined with a program of preventative treatment followed
to remove a second tumour that had grown on the left hand side of his
neck inside the lymph gland. (Squamous cell carcinoma). He was informed
by the specialist that because of the amount of radiation required to
address the cancer he may never sing again. This news was devastating
and for some reason the reality of not being able to sing ever again
seemed worse news than being told he had cancer.
The
news of his illness and subsequent treatment spread and he received
many telephone calls from friends offering support and prayer. Halfway
through the radiotherapy treatment, he completely lost his voice. However
he committed himself to singing at two concerts in aid of the Roy Castle
“Cause for Hope Foundation” appeal. The first concert was
held at the Fairfield Police Club in Liverpool, followed by a spectacular
variety/cabaret show held at the Liverpool Empire. Fortunately, he was
able to fulfil his commitment and sang at both shows.
Since
then he has continued singing to his best ability although the radiotherapy
has caused a number of long lasting side effects, (constant dryness
in his throat combined with a lack on saliva etc)
Mark and his wife Alison have both shared their joint testimony on BBC
Radio Manchester, Radio Merseyside, and U.C.B Radio Stoke on Trent.
Mark was
also involved in street outreach while
regularly visiting many northern prisons to sing
and share his personal testimony to the inmates. He found this to be
a very humbling experience.
Between
1990-95 he wrote, produced and released three Gospel albums which indirectly
resulted in him appearing on the
U.K. Dream Television channel, performing one
of his own original compositions called "In This World Of Sorrow"
The
recording was broadcasts and transmitted via satellite and cable to
television audiences across the whole of Europe and North Africa.
https://youtu.be/jw7twBp3dCo
"In This World Of Sorrow"
He
recently decided to re-release two edited videos of ten of the most
popular songs chosen by friends from the three albums.
The
videos are also a tribute to the late Ray Kelly (1965-2022)
who
was one of the most knowledgeable and talented musicians Mark had ever
worked with. Ray engineered the mixing, editing and mastering on all
of the albums whilst also playing keyboards. The two videos which Mark
has called “Mark’s Gospel Song Files” is a dedication
to Ray and can be heard on YouTube (Click on the links below)
https://youtu.be/Lo60L1No_tI
Mark's Gospel Song Files
https://youtu.be/8WMsZ4HDPlM
Mark's Gospel Song Files Part Two
New
original songs and videos can be seen onYouTube:
"My Battle Scars"
https://youtu.be/xH6QJPBkL1Q
After
a relatively dry period Mark started writing again in
2014
and released two original singles. In 2021 Mark teamed up with fellow
songwriter and singer Chris
Morris (ex Paper Lace guitarist and singer) together they have written
a number of new songs and are presently applying their individualism
to each other’s back catalogue of original compositions. One of
their songs called "MyBattle Scars" is an emotional and very
poignant song dealing with homelessness portrayed through the testimony
of an ex-soldier. To date "My Battle Scars" has reached a
total of 28 thousand streams on Spotify alone. All of their joint compositions
are available for streaming and download from all the major platforms,
Spotify,YouTube, Deezer, iTunes etc.
Attached
below are the links to some of their latest releases, please click on
the names. below.
Un
Blagueur Seul
My
Battle Scars
What's
Happened To Christmas
Through
A Strangers Eyes EP
Bully
Boys and Girls
Angeline
la reine de la danse
Tyranny
Slain
Almara
Music Productions
chrismarkmusic.com
markaynsley@almara.co.uk
almara@almara.co.uk
markhay@orange.fr
