Mark Gormley is a singer-songwriter from Pensacola, Florida[1] who achieved internet fame for his music videos[2] on YouTube. He mostly performs acoustic rock consisting of acoustic guitar and vocals and some of his influences are Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, Rush, Jimi Hendrix, James Taylor and Boston.[3]
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Gormley learned to play the guitar as a teenager and later wrote a number of original compositions in the mid-1970s.[3][4] During his time enlisted in the Marines, Gormley was stationed in Scotland where he recorded a demo for his songs, but he was unable to gain a recording contract on his return to the USA.[4] In 1986, Gormley entered the music studio once again to record two new songs.[3]
Having decided to give up pursuing a career as a musician, Gormley didn't release his music to the public until his first music video was filmed in 2006.[5] Gormley was given a platform when his music videos appeared on The Uncharted Zone, a weekly public-access television music show based in the Gulf Coast of Florida.[6][7] He has since recorded a number of low-budget music videos for the show, which are characterised by their frequent use of green screen effects.[8] The music videos are produced by former radio DJ Phil Thomas Katt,[7][8] who runs The Uncharted Zone with his co-host Tommy Robinetti.[7]
Gormley's music videos have reached an audience of millions on YouTube.[4] In an article on Gormley, UK-based newspaper Metro proclaimed "The internet has a new musical hero in the form of singer-songwriter Mark Gormley".[8] Gormley and his music have been featured on the G4TV television program Attack of the Show!.[4] "Weird Al" Yankovic performed an impression of Gormley during an appearance on the television program Web Soup.[9][10] Gormley has been the inspiration for several fan-made videos, including remixes of his songs, cover versions, and parodies of his music videos.[11]
Gormley has been asked to perform by concert bookers and TV shows including the late-night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live!, but he decided to decline the offers.[3][12] Gormley has avoided the spotlight and is notoriously reclusive.[11] He has only given one interview, during which he claimed "I'm just little old me from Pensacola".[12] When asked about his sudden internet fame, Gormley replied "It's a bit overwhelming. You know, when I did this I just did it for fun. Something to do, something theraputic".[3]
Gormley's debut music video is for the song "Beginnings", which includes still images of scenery in his native Pensacola. The music video features an appearance by model Ashton Shane, who is also a VJ for The Uncharted Zone.[13] Woot found the song "thought-provoking" and noted the profound insights offered by the lyrics.[14] Gormley considers the song his personal favorite.[3]
The "Little Wings" music video includes footage of seagulls in flight, as Gormley sings in front of ocean scenes. Gormley and his music video for "Little Wings" were featured on the website of Colorado-based newspaper Westword, who noted "there's something strangely appealing about Gormley...I have to say that this song is actually pretty great".[15] Videogum listed the "Little Wings" music video as one of the best viral videos of 2009.[16]
"Gray Days" is one of Gormley's darkest songs, that LimeLife referred to as a "moving, Zeppelinesque tribute".[17]
The music video for "Stars" shows Gormley performing the song while backed by footage of the night sky and the beaches of Perdido Key, Florida.
Gormley's breakthrough music video is for "Without You", released in 2008.[18] "Without You" is a love song about heartbreak and loneliness that music website The Daily Swarm described as a "soft metal masterpiece".[19][20][21] Media journal BuzzFeed considered the music video for the song to be a contender for Video of the Year.[22] In January 2009, "Without You" was named a viral video by music magazine Blender and Comedy Central.[1][23]
Gormley's missed opportunites and sudden fame were parodied in the music video for "The Cries in Our Eyes". During the course of the video, Gormley is depicted performing in front of famous landmarks from around the world and being photographed by paparazzi.[12] According to Missouri newsweekly Riverfront Times, the music video created "the Mark Gormley tour that could have been".[24]
The music video for "Sing Me Your Song" largely takes place on the Moon[2] and in space. The video capitalised on Gormley's success by featuring product placement for the Cheetos snack food.[2][25] Music website Video Static described the song as "haunting" and praised the music videos use of product placement.[25] Gormley opted to receive no money from the product placement deal, giving all revenue to The Uncharted Zone to help them during the difficult economy.
Gormley's debut album of original recordings has been released via The Uncharted Zone. Gormley plans to write and record new songs in the future.[4]
[26] All tracks written and performed by Mark Gormley
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