Mark Nesler
Encyclopedia
Mark Nesler is an American country music
artist. Signed to Elektra Records
as a recording artist in 1998, Nesler charted three singles on the U.S. Billboard country charts. In addition, he has written several singles for other country music artists, including Tim McGraw
's "Just to See You Smile
", a song which Billboard ranked as the Number One country single of 1998.
at an early age. Inspired by the bluegrass music
his father listened to, he soon learned to play banjo
as well. After graduating high school
, he played in a band called the Two Dollar Pistols. In 1994, he was signed to a songwriting deal with MCA Publishing
, and soon joined Tracy Byrd's touring band. Byrd also recorded and released "Heaven in My Woman's Eyes", which Nesler wrote, as a single in 1996.
In 1998, Nesler scored his first Number One as a songwriter, when Tim McGraw
spent six weeks at Number One on the Billboard country music charts with "Just to See You Smile
". The same year, Nesler's first album was released on Asylum Records
. Its leadoff single, "Used to the Pain", peaked at #47 on the country charts. The album also produced his highest-charting single in "Slow Down" at #46, followed by "Baby Ain't Rockin' Me Right" at #62. He also co-wrote Aaron Tippin
's late-1998 single "For You I Will
."
Also in 1998, Nesler married country music artist Jennifer Hanson
. Although he exited Elektra in 1999, Nesler continued to write for Byrd, who released "Take Me with You When You Go" (which Hanson co-wrote) and "Just Let Me Be in Love
" in 2000 and 2002 respectively. George Strait
recorded two of his songs: "Go On
"; and "Living and Living Well
" which was a #1 single. In 2005, Tracy Lawrence
reached #35 on the country charts with a cover of "Used to the Pain". Nesler and Hanson co-wrote Bucky Covington
's 2007 debut single "A Different World
", while Nesler's other credits included "Why, Why, Why" by Billy Currington
and another Number One in Keith Urban
's 2008 single "You Look Good in My Shirt
".
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
artist. Signed to Elektra Records
Elektra Records
Elektra Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group. In 2004, it was consolidated into WMG's Atlantic Records Group. After five years of dormancy, the label was revived by Atlantic in 2009....
as a recording artist in 1998, Nesler charted three singles on the U.S. Billboard country charts. In addition, he has written several singles for other country music artists, including Tim McGraw
Tim McGraw
Samuel Timothy "Tim" McGraw is an American country singer and actor. Many of McGraw's albums and singles have topped the country music charts with total album sales in excess of 40 million units in the US, making him the eighth best-selling artist, and the third best-selling country singer, in the...
's "Just to See You Smile
Just to See You Smile
"Just to See You Smile" is the title of a song written by Mark Nesler and Tony Martin, and recorded by American country music artist Tim McGraw. It was released in August 1997 as the third single from the album Everywhere...
", a song which Billboard ranked as the Number One country single of 1998.
Biography
Nesler played guitarGuitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
at an early age. Inspired by the bluegrass music
Bluegrass music
Bluegrass music is a form of American roots music, and a sub-genre of country music. It has mixed roots in Scottish, English, Welsh and Irish traditional music...
his father listened to, he soon learned to play banjo
Banjo
In the 1830s Sweeney became the first white man to play the banjo on stage. His version of the instrument replaced the gourd with a drum-like sound box and included four full-length strings alongside a short fifth-string. There is no proof, however, that Sweeney invented either innovation. This new...
as well. After graduating high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
, he played in a band called the Two Dollar Pistols. In 1994, he was signed to a songwriting deal with MCA Publishing
Music Corporation of America
MCA, Inc. was an American talent agency. Initially starting in the music business, they would next become a dominant force in the film business, and later expanded into the television business...
, and soon joined Tracy Byrd's touring band. Byrd also recorded and released "Heaven in My Woman's Eyes", which Nesler wrote, as a single in 1996.
In 1998, Nesler scored his first Number One as a songwriter, when Tim McGraw
Tim McGraw
Samuel Timothy "Tim" McGraw is an American country singer and actor. Many of McGraw's albums and singles have topped the country music charts with total album sales in excess of 40 million units in the US, making him the eighth best-selling artist, and the third best-selling country singer, in the...
spent six weeks at Number One on the Billboard country music charts with "Just to See You Smile
Just to See You Smile
"Just to See You Smile" is the title of a song written by Mark Nesler and Tony Martin, and recorded by American country music artist Tim McGraw. It was released in August 1997 as the third single from the album Everywhere...
". The same year, Nesler's first album was released on Asylum Records
Asylum Records
Asylum Records is an American record label founded in 1971 by David Geffen, and partner Elliot Roberts, who had previously worked as agents at the William Morris Agency. Founded specifically to provide a record contract for Jackson Browne, the label signed Tom Waits, Linda Ronstadt, Joni Mitchell...
. Its leadoff single, "Used to the Pain", peaked at #47 on the country charts. The album also produced his highest-charting single in "Slow Down" at #46, followed by "Baby Ain't Rockin' Me Right" at #62. He also co-wrote Aaron Tippin
Aaron Tippin
Aaron Dupree Tippin is an American country music artist and record producer. Initially a songwriter for Acuff-Rose Music, he gained a recording contract with RCA Records in 1990...
's late-1998 single "For You I Will
For You I Will (Aaron Tippin song)
"For You I Will" is the title of a song written by Mark Nesler and Tony Martin, and recorded by American country music singer Aaron Tippin. It was released in August 1998 as the lead single from the album, What This Country Needs. The song reached number 6 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles...
."
Also in 1998, Nesler married country music artist Jennifer Hanson
Jennifer Hanson
Jennifer Kathleen Hanson is an American country music artist, as well as a former Miss California. Married to songwriter Mark Nesler since 1997, Hanson began her own musical career in 2002 with a self-titled debut album being issued on Capitol Records...
. Although he exited Elektra in 1999, Nesler continued to write for Byrd, who released "Take Me with You When You Go" (which Hanson co-wrote) and "Just Let Me Be in Love
Just Let Me Be in Love
"Just Let Me Be in Love" is a song performed by American country music artist Tracy Byrd. Released in August 2001, it was the second single released from his 2001 album Ten Rounds...
" in 2000 and 2002 respectively. George Strait
George Strait
George Harvey Strait is an American country music singer, actor, and music producer. Strait is referred to as the "King of Country," and critics call Strait a living legend. He is known for his unique style of western swing music, bar-room ballads, honky-tonk style, and fresh yet traditional...
recorded two of his songs: "Go On
Go On
"Go On" is the title of a song written by Mark Nesler and Tony Martin, and recorded by American country music artist George Strait. It was released in July 2000 as the lead-off single from his 2000 album George Strait.-Content:...
"; and "Living and Living Well
Living and Living Well
"Living and Living Well" is a song written by Tony Martin, Mark Nesler and Tom Shapiro, and recorded by American country music artist George Strait. released in February 2002 as the second single from his 2001 album, The Road Less Traveled. The song reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot...
" which was a #1 single. In 2005, Tracy Lawrence
Tracy Lawrence
Tracy Lawrence is an American country music artist. He started at a country music restaurant called "Live At Libby's" where owner Libby Knight would help local talent find their way into country music...
reached #35 on the country charts with a cover of "Used to the Pain". Nesler and Hanson co-wrote Bucky Covington
Bucky Covington
William Joel "Bucky" Covington III is an American country music singer. He placed eighth on the 5th season of the Fox Network's talent competition series American Idol. In December 2006, he signed a recording contract with Lyric Street Records...
's 2007 debut single "A Different World
A Different World (song)
"A Different World" is the title of a song recorded by American country musician, Bucky Covington. It was released in January 2007 as the lead single from his first album Bucky Covington. It was written by Jennifer Hanson, Tony Martin, and Mark Nesler. The song is produced by Mark Miller, and was...
", while Nesler's other credits included "Why, Why, Why" by Billy Currington
Billy Currington
William Matthew "Billy" Currington is an American country music artist. Signed to Mercury Nashville Records in 2003, he has released four studio albums for the label: 2003's Billy Currington, 2005's Doin' Somethin' Right, 2008's Little Bit of Everything, and 2010's Enjoy Yourself...
and another Number One in Keith Urban
Keith Urban
Keith Lionel Urban is a New Zealand-born Australian, country music singer, songwriter and guitarist whose commercial success has been mainly in the United States and Australia. Urban was born in New Zealand and began his career in Australia at an early age...
's 2008 single "You Look Good in My Shirt
You Look Good in My Shirt
"You Look Good in My Shirt" is the title of a song, written by Mark Nesler, Tom Shapiro, and Tony Martin, and recorded by Australian country music artist Keith Urban for his 2002 album Golden Road...
".
Albums
| Title | Album details | Peak positions |
|---|---|---|
| US Country |
||
| I'm Just That Way |
|
70 |
| Up All Night |
|
— |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart | ||
Singles
| Year | Single | Peak chart positions |
Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Country Hot Country Songs Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales... |
CAN Country RPM (magazine) RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,... |
|||
| 1998 | "Used to the Pain" | 47 | 43 | I'm Just That Way |
| "Slow Down" | 46 | 45 | ||
| 1999 | "Baby Ain't Rockin' Me Right" | 62 | — | |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart | ||||
Music videos
| Year | Video | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | "Used to the Pain" | Jim Hershleder |
| "Slow Down" | Trey Fanjoy Trey Fanjoy Trey Fanjoy is a country music and pop music video director. Fanjoy has directed over 150 major label music videos. Her videos have appeared on CMT, VH-1, GAC, The Nashville Network, CMT Canada, and MTV.-Music videos:... |