Biography

A Dutchboy in Nashville 

Nashville recording artist Mark Blomsteel was born and raised in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. At an early age he was diagnosed with a genetic eye disease that would leave him legally blind. Limited vision never stopped him from chasing his goals and dreams. Mark, always busy with his musical passion, started writing songs at the age of 11.

After graduating high school Mark decided to go to university. By that time he already had his own radio show and worked for MTV Networks. It was during the last year of college when he met British producer Paul ‘Tubbs’ Williams.
Williams, who previously worked with The Spice Girls and Boyzone, invited Mark to the UK after listening to some of his demo recordings. Together they recorded ‘Leaving it all behind’ a song written by Mark. This song was to be Williams’ last work. Shortly after mixing the track he sadly died from a heart attack.

In 2008 a former producer of the legendary Beach Boys came across Mark’s songs and wanted him to come work on a couple of tracks in his Treasure Isle Recorders, the Nashville based studio where the likes of Johnny Cash, Sheryl Crow and Dolly Parton used to record as well as Jason Aldean, who to date recorded all his platinum albums there. They brought together a team of the best studio musicians including bandleader Chris Leuzinger, who played on every Garth Brooks album. In the years to come Mark recorded numerous times at Treasure Isle Recorders and released different albums in Europe, rapidly getting airplay on Dutch and European radio and performing on various television shows. This caught the interest of Warner Music Benelux who were very interested in working together with their Nashville office to make Mark an international star. A deal however never materialized.

Mark has won multiple CMA Awards:

2012: Song of the year (What’s that Cowgirl See in me)

2014: Male vocalist of the year 2014

2014: Most promising act 2014

2017: Song of the year (Lived & Gone To Heaven)

2017: Album of The Year “#Dutchboy”

Other highlights were playing Europe’s biggest Country Music Festival in Zurich, Switzerland, theater tours and European (country) festivals.
Mark also received serious recognition in his hometown of Rotterdam by receiving the ‘export award’ but is focusing more and more on the US market.

The single ‘Someone Somewhere Tonight’ was promoted heavily and got Mark and his band slots on various country radio stations, as well as tv stations such as Fox and ABC. It was accompanied by a music video that promoted suicide prevention.

During the pandemic ‘Dutch Boy’ Mark Blomsteel – a loving nickname by the Nashville locals – worked extensively on a new record. Recorded again in the Treasure Isle Recorders Studio but this time produced by Mark himself!
He invited his good friend Chris Leuzinger again as band leader and put together a great session band with Nashville’s finest musicians.

This resulted in 16 new country songs with pop, rock and R&B influences which shows confidence and a certain sexiness. It’s very apparent that Blomsteel keeps growing, maturing and getting better every time.
All In all, Mark’s distinctive voice stands out from the crowd.

The current single is called ‘Tennessee’ a ballad that was released in July 2022 after Mark signed a contract with MC1 Nashville – Sony/The Orchard.

Mark and his band have a history of supporting different charities such as Suicide Prevention and St Judes Children’s hospital. Their goal is to tour all 50 states to help raise funds for various charity organizations.