An Original Acoustic-Electric Rock Group from New Orleans

Sound clips are now available: go to Wild Ride Sound Clips .

Welcome to the Mark Carson Band Homepage, which is a companion to Mark Carson's Music Homepage. We have a CD, Wild Ride, which is available online. To orderline, go to the above link for further info. To hear clips from the CD, go to Wild Ride Sound Clips .

Come see the Mark Carson Band at Carrolton Station on Friday, May 25.  Ashley Smetherman will open the show at 10:15.  Come check it out! (Wayne Mareau will play drums with both groups!   Should be a good show)


Get on the mailing list: We love mail. Please email us and you'll be on the list. mcarson578@aol.com. Your comments are also appreciated.

At any rate, we're happy to get this page on the web finally. Thanks for your patience to all those who asked about it. The band consists of Mark Carson on lead vocals, acoustic guitar, and keyboards,  Ashley Smetherman on lead and backing vocals, Timmy Baudier on lead guitar and vocals, and Rick Rooney on bass and vocals,   We started a short while ago, playing the Neutral Ground Coffeehouse in New Orleans, and have played at many venues since then, including Tipitina's, Carrolton Station, Check Point Charlie's,  Wit's Inn, the Acadian Brew Pub, the Dream Palace, Ruby's Roadhouse in Mandeville, and Southport Hall.  

Mark Carson has been active in the New Orleans and Louisiana Music scene for over ten years, having played with the award winning group The Murmurs for much of that time. He founded the group and writes many of its songs.  He has played with several other groups in the city, and has written music with New Orleans songwriters Jim McCormick and also John Gros of Mulebone.  He's played on the same stage with Edwin McCain at Carrolton Station, and has performed also at the Frank Black International Music Festival.

Ashley Smetherman-Lemmler is the newest addition to the band.  She has much experience in local drama circles, as well as playing with several groups, including Jubilation and Swing Set.  This is her first experiment in original pop music, and we are very fortunate to have her.  She sounds great, and adds very much to our vocal harmony.  She recently has begun writing tons of songs, many of which are exceptional.  You should check out both her group and ours at Carrolton Station on Friday, May 25!

Timmy Baudier is also a veteran of the New Orleans music scene, having played in bands since he was 15. He also writes music for the band, and his harder edge rock-pop style complements Mark's more pop oriented material.


Rick Rooney, like Mark, is also a former member of The Murmurs.  Rick is a fine bassist and vocalist, and further strengthens the group. He also writes songs, which we will be including in our new repetoire.

Michael Lemmler  is a gifted keyboard player and engineer/producer.  He has worked for a number of years with George Porter's Runnin' Pardners and several other groups.  Mike is well versed in many styles, and is one of the most talented musicians around.  We are indeed fortunate to have him.

Our music has elements of many different styles, but can still be classified as pop-rock music. It has been called "acoustic rock," because Mark often plays acoustic guitar onstage. Timmy's songs have more of a rock flavor, and they display very well his talents on guitar. Since it is hard to talk about music some people haven't heard, listen to the clips page to hear for yourself:   Wild Ride Sound Clips .


Calendar of Events

May 25              Carrolton Station, Willow Street, New Orleans, 10:15  (Ashley Smetherman will open up the show)
To get on the mailing list: Click the email link at the bottom of the page, and tell us you want to be on the list.

We've just started this page, so it is very much under construction. Please check back with us periodically for calendar updates, pictures, and sound clips.

Check out Wild Ride Sound Clips to hear clips from the CD..

There are several great groups you should check out in the New Orleans area. A wonderful songwriter and singer is Robyn E, whose band is very talented and very entertaining. She also has two CDs out, and the music is superb. Check her out at Robyn E. - Out of Blue .

One of the hottest new groups around is the band MuleBone, an alternative band fronted by trombone player and vocalist Mark Mullins, who has a musical resume which includes working with Harry Connick, Jr, George Porter, Tori Amos, and many others. That's right...I said an alternative band with a trombone....it's great. Go to The MuleBone Experience to check it out. He does have sound clips to download.

For the absolute best in high quality recording, mastering, and CD productions, visit Mike Hogan at Necromancer Digital . He did the mastering on the Mark Carson CD, and has done many other projects. Musicians, check him out...he is a wizard.

One of the coolest craft shops around is on 813 Royal Street in the French Quarter. It's called Crafty Louisianians, and has the finest in crafts, all from Louisiana artist. This ain't no chepie tourist shop. The artists and artisans are great, and the pieces are original and refreshing. For more info visit Crafty Louisianians.

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