Video Interviews by The Video Professionals, October 2002.
 

MARK STILES: LANSING, MI

Mark discovered his true musical talents at the tender age of seven, when he proved to his neighborhood that if he could make his sister’s Barbie tea sets sound like a drum kit, he was destined for a career in music. He played trumpet from 7-12th grade, and in 11th grade, he soloed at the International Jazz Band festival in Toronto, Canada, a spectacle that made the panel of judges ask quietly into their mini-cassette recorders… “What was that?”. Mark has never played the trumpet since.

Following high school, Mark spent three years in the "real world" and community college (not the same thing) in Lansing, and 2 years in Rockville, MD. In 1989, Mark was accepted to Michigan State University and everything was in place to return back to Michigan. Once at MSU, he joined the Men’s Glee Club because he needed a credit to get government aid to pay for school. Then he joined the Madrigals (sounded cool), then the Collegiate Choir, the State Singers and then, the MSU Choral Union to sing “The Messiah” at the Wharton Center. (600 voices, full orchestra, and 4 incredible soloists). Mark claims that it was the most amazing musical experience of his life.

It has become obvious that his only musical obstacle is that he can’t read sheet music. Considering he has now been with Three Men and a Tenor for over 17 years, including all of his other musical ventures, he must have found a way to do it. He plans to do some artist consulting, and teach music for the "sheet musically challenged" when Three Men and a Tenor is finished touring.

Mark lives in Holt, MI, with his wife Stacey and their three daughters. His musical influences are: Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Earth Wind and Fire, Garth Brooks, Vince Gill, Marc Cohn, 4HIM, and Rascal Flatts.