About this Event
From the legendary Ryman Auditorium in Nashville to Colorado’s famed Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and countless destinations in between: Singer-songwriter Mark Mackay delivers electrifying performances to unite listeners with captivating anthems and blazing musicality.
Touring relentlessly across the country, he has reached a loyal multi-genre audience for his guitar-driven American Music. In addition to headlining slots at concerts, fairs, festivals, and tours, Mark has opened for hard rockers REO Speedwagon, Richie Sambora, Ted Nugent, and Night Ranger; plus platinum country hitmakers Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw, Old Dominion, Gary Allan, and Eli Young Band.
Mark Mackay fans will have plenty of new music to savor. After an ambitious series of indie full-lengths and EP’s, the Nashville-based artist has recently inked a deal with Bungalo Records/Universal Music Group. The lead single, “Meant for This” finds Mark expressing a heart-filled testament enveloped in the aural textures of harmonica, slide guitar, and a beguiling chorus.
For his newest collection of tracks, he selected an accomplished team of first call players to join him at Universal Music’s East Iris Studios. “We threw out the rule book,” Mark testifies. “To craft a sound that was both rock and roadhouse; historic and contemporary.” Mark’s expansive circle of co-conspirators includes such luminaries as Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame honoree Jeffrey Steele, Ted Russell Kamp from the Shooter Jennings band, and multiple ACM Guitarist of the Year nominee Adam Shoenfeld, whose behind the board production expertise, plus his stellar guitar work, are notable contributions to the newest recordings.
As a California native, Mark grew up on the indelible sounds of Laurel Canyon and Bakersfield. Trained as a classical pianist, he studied blues and rock guitar at Musicians Institute in Hollywood. He says this newest stage of his recording journey brings him full cycle as a singer-songwriter. “I came to Hollywood writing narrative storyteller songs; then a six-year journey to try to write and record down the middle. Now, with more maturity and skills, I come back with the genuine authenticity of what I set out to do.”
In the summer of 2023, the artist staged an ambitious 36-show nationwide “Summer Slowdown Tour.” Forthcoming is his second annual Christmas tour, with sit-down theaters and a family-friendly atmosphere, in marked contrast to the boisterous bars where he sharpened his craft and rocked the house. As a frequent television guest in select markets, he reveals a natural, camera-friendly charisma.
He marvels at the folks he meets at far-flung fairs. “The crowds are huge, and everyone is always in a great mood,” he says. “Especially in random places. I traveled to the middle of nowhere, 30 minutes past Logan, Utah, and I think the whole state of Utah was there.”
Mark follows the rhythms of the road on a journey to the lights, illuminating the next town on the highway, and the white-hot brilliance of the stage. And while his lyrics on his new single are in reference to romance, hundreds of thousands of fans that have seen him perform might testify that the title is also an apt description of his decisive artistic destiny. Mark Mackay is undeniably “Meant for This.”
Get more info on Mark MacKay by visiting his website!
Come early for a Home Cooked Meal! — Dine in at The Cascade Grill
Enjoy a hot, home-style dinner before the big show! With all-day breakfast, mountain-sized nachos, and mouth-watering burgers, The Cascade Grill has something for everyone to enjoy before the big show!
We encourage all our concert attendees to order off the full menu at the Cascade Grill before entering for the show!
See our menu here and learn more about The Cascade Grill!
Take the elevator home — stay at The Portlander Inn
Why worry about how you're getting home when you can stay at our on-site hotel? The Portlander Inn welcomes you to Portland with the cozy feel of a true Northwest lodge. All 100 guest rooms offer refrigerators, microwave ovens, coffee pots, free wireless internet, direct-dial phones with voicemail and televisions with complimentary HBO and Showtime premium channels. Learn more and book your room here.
Event Policies:
ALL PURCHASES ON TICKETS ARE FINAL. There are NO REFUNDS and NO TRANSFERS of tickets with the exception of event cancellations.
Support acts are subject to change.
No re-entry permitted.
21+ event.
If a ticket type is not sold out, there are always tickets available to purchase at the door on the day of the concert.
Questions? Check out the FAQs on the Ponderosa website for answers to the most common questions.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Ponderosa Lounge & Grill, 10350 N Vancouver Way, Portland, United States
USD 15.00 to USD 25.00