Congratulations to Mark & Lydia on their new additon    

Mark Chartre'
I've been playing about as long as I can remember. The Piano was always around the house with an older sister and brother who where 6 and 8 years ahead, I had a lot of catching up to do. I remember hating to practice 
but I could pull the wool over my teacher's eyes. I played piano by obligation and with little pleasure for years. 

Then I got turned on to something I liked, the Sax (Sax-a-ma-phone), an entire new world. Jazz and 
improve soon became the norm. I played in almost every school or area band I could work my way into. I started to realize that I had some natural talent and that not everyone was blowin' smoke up there. Then, I tried playing everything I could get may hands on: A little Clarinet, trombone, trumpet. My Bro had an old classical guitar that I couldn't keep my hands off of and the guitar soon joined my lineup in Jr. High. I bought my first axe and tried to riff on all kinds of stuff for the next few years. Hell I even fooled around with the old French horn that was sitting in the basement. 
By now high school was getting near the end and I had to find something to do with my life. I thought I'd continue to follow music to college. Somehow being gifted didn't seem to matter anymore because there were 
other musicians that had other gifts or gifts that I didn't. I guess after a year I was discouraged and didn't know what life had in store for me. I got a day job and still liked to play with any body that seemed interested. 

I started to play my keys a lot again and found a new passion for all styles. Eventually I got into a real band. I played all kinds bars around Milwaukee and abroad. Road America, State fair, Summerfest, 
New year's eve at Alpine Valley. I was stricken with an illness, "Got the itch to play live & gotta have the Groove."

Birthplace: Milwaukee,Wi
Age: 28
Birthdate: October 29th 1977
Full name: Mark Daniel Chartre'

Influences. Anything with a tight groove. I love The classic rock. 
There will always be a special place in my heart for The Doors. Other big 
hitters are Floyd, Zep, Coltrane, and Charlie Parker.

Played with the Easystreet Rock Band for about 18 months.
Also, a short lived side project See Alice.
I've also sat in w/ the Mike Miller Band and Uncle Fat.

Special Thanks:
To Tommy Malta for getting me out there and realizing my potential. I'll always be greatful.
Also to Andy Lomax. One of the best drummers ever. And to Pete Gorski 
for just plain Kickin' ass and always being there for a laugh.
To my wife Lydia for giving me the freedom to enjoy my love of music. 
Always behind me and always supportive. Love ya
And Lastly to My mom and dad for giving me this gift. I didn't appreciate when I was younger and they were shelling out the dough for lessons. It is one the most rewarding things in my life. 

Thanks for being my biggest die-hard fans