Campaign Story

My Reason Why

Music has been part of me for as long as I can remember.

My parents first realized something was there when I was three years old. They took me into a piano store, and instead of just banging on the keys like most kids, I was trying to pick out the notes to “Tale as Old as Time.” A piano teacher walked by, stopped, and told my parents, “You need to get this kid in lessons.” That was the start of it all.

I grew up on 80s and 90s country. My dad was a team roper, my mom loved dancing to old-school country, and that music was always around. Later on I picked up the trumpet and stayed at the top of my class all the way through high school. Then at fifteen I got my first guitar, and that changed everything.

My uncle played guitar and wrote incredible songs, and learning from him shaped me in a big way. Even now, I can watch him play and realize I’ve still got a long way to go. But that’s what I love about music — you never arrive. You just keep chasing it, keep growing, keep trying to get a little better than you were yesterday.

That’s why I do this. Not to outdo anybody. Not to turn music into some kind of competition. For me, music is about connection. What can a song make somebody feel? What can a lyric, a melody, a chord change pull out of somebody that they didn’t even know was there? That’s what I’m after every time I write. I believe God gave me this gift, and I believe it’s my job to work at it, protect it, and keep pushing it as far as I can. Music isn’t just part of my life — it is my life.

My name is Mark Berry, and this is my fundraising campaign.

Up Til Now

I started my full-time professional music career in 2018 as the music director and bass player for Texas country artist Matt Castillo. That time sharpened me as a player, a leader, and a road dog. In 2021, I stepped out and launched the Mark Berry Band, and things started moving fast.

My debut single, “Invincible You,” hit #2 on the Texas Internet Radio Charts in 2022, and that momentum helped launch my first full-length album, All on Our Own. Since then, I’ve toured across Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, and Oklahoma, playing dancehalls, clubs, and stages all over the region and opening for artists like Aaron Watson, Pat Green, Josh Ward, Jon Wolfe, Bryan Martin, Braxton Keith, Ty Myers, Isaac Jacob, Joey Green, Hayden Baker, Gunnar Latham, and David Lewis.

In 2025, I was named Artist of the Year at the Thirsty Horse Rock and Country Music Awards in San Antonio. That same year, my single “I Still Drink About You” was named Song of the Year by Koke FM’s Drinkin’ Texas Radio Show. Right now I’ve got 17 songs released, I’m back in the studio cutting new music, and I honestly believe the best stuff I’ve made is still in front of me.

The Next Step

To make this next record the right way, I’ve partnered with Edgewater Music Group. We already have major-label distribution lined up, which means this project has a real shot to reach farther than I could take it on my own.

But making real moves in this business costs money. Recording, production, players, mixing, mastering, promotion, visuals, rollout — it all adds up fast. And like a lot of independent artists, I’ve been carrying that load as far as I can myself.

That’s why I’m asking for your support.

Perks

This is a donation-based campaign, and in exchange for your support, we’ve put together rewards for the people who want to be part of it — things like a copy of the new record, private performances, behind-the-scenes studio access, and even opportunities to be credited as an executive producer.

How You Can Help

It’s also an all-or-nothing campaign. If we don’t hit the fundraising goal, we won’t be able to move forward the way this record deserves.

So if you believe in honest country music, hard work, and artists willing to bet on themselves, I’d be honored to have your support.

Thank You!

Thank you for listening, thank you for believing in independent music, and thank you for helping me bring this next chapter of Mark Berry to life.

–Mark