# Mark Carman

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Mark_Carman
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Mark_Carman.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Carman
> Source revision: 1352614458
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

**Mark Lewyn Carman** (born September 3, 1960) is an American music producer, singer, songwriter, and social activist.

## Career

### Music

Carman's early career in the music industry included serving as the Director of Operations at the music trade publication *Cash Box* magazine beginning in 1989. In that role, he also hosted the inaugural Nashville Music Awards that same year.[1]

He is known primarily for his later role as the musical arranger and co-producer of the [Grammy](/source/Grammy) nominated album by country music artist [T. Graham Brown](/source/T._Graham_Brown), *Forever Changed*.[2] The album features guest performances by well-known artists including [Leon Russell](/source/Leon_Russell), [Vince Gill](/source/Vince_Gill), [The Oak Ridge Boys](/source/The_Oak_Ridge_Boys), [Jason Crabb](/source/Jason_Crabb) and others. The recording musicians for the album represented an all-star lineup of musicians, including notable figures such as [David Hungate](/source/David_Hungate) (bass guitar), [Brent Mason](/source/Brent_Mason) (electric guitar), [Steve Cropper](/source/Steve_Cropper) (electric guitar), and [Jim Horn](/source/Jim_Horn) (saxophone).[3][4]

### Activism

In 2015 Carman involved himself in public efforts related to [gun control](/source/Gun_control) and other social issues by releasing an internet video that garnered more than 1.5 million views in the first week of publication.[5] As part of that effort, Carman founded an activist group, the American Coalition for Responsible Gun Ownership,[6] and made several contributory appearances on national news programs including [CNN](/source/CNN)[7] and [CBC News](/source/CBC_News)[8] addressing firearms legislation in the United States. Carman's efforts drove the acquisition of more than 1,000,000 signatures on a petition, delivered to Senator [Chuck Schumer](/source/Chuck_Schumer) urging President [Barack Obama](/source/Barack_Obama) to use [executive order](/source/Executive_order) to address some of the issues pertaining to firearms legislation.[9]

In January 2016, Carman was invited to the [White House](/source/White_House) to participate in the announcement of President Obama's executive action on gun control.[10]

### Awards

In 2012 Carman was awarded the [President's Call to Service Award](/source/President's_Call_to_Service_Award) (also referred to the President's Lifetime Achievement Award).[11] The Call to Service Award is the most prestigious [President's Volunteer Service Award](/source/President's_Volunteer_Service_Award). It has been awarded to only a few Americans for extraordinary service. Among the honorees are [S. Truett Cathy](/source/S._Truett_Cathy), [Zach Bonner](/source/Zach_Bonner), Brandon Pugh, Thomas Smith, Timothy Mayer, Thomas Crilly and [Stanley Williams](/source/Stanley_Williams)).[11] In 2016 Carman was awarded the [President's Volunteer Service Award](/source/President's_Volunteer_Service_Award), Gold level, for his volunteer efforts involving public service to orphaned children and homeless adults.

## Albums

- 1988 – *Heartland* - Heartland (producer, artist, composer, keyboards)
- 1989 – *The Rebel* – Ben Dishner - (producer, composer)
- 1989 – *You and The Horse Your Rode in On* – Patsy Cole (producer, composer)
- 1989 – *Southern Frame of Mind* – Heath Locklear (producer, composer)
- 1989 – *Jesus Is The Star* – Billy Walker (producer, composer)
- 1996 - *Smokey and the Impossibles* – Smokey and the Impossibles (producer, Keyboards)
- 2006 – *It Is What It Is* – Steven Hall (producer, composer)
- 2007 – *Lo Mejor De Mi* – Johnny Vasquez (producer, composer)
- 2007 – *She's an Army of One* – Various Artists (producer, vocals, keyboards, composer, primary artist)
- 2009 – *Lo And Behold* (producer, composer) – [Palmetto State Quartet](/source/Palmetto_State_Quartet)
- 2010 – *Grace* (producer, composer) – [Palmetto State Quartet](/source/Palmetto_State_Quartet)
- 2011 – *I'm in Him, He's in Me* – [Marty Raybon](/source/Marty_Raybon) and Various Artists (producer, composer)
- 2011 – *Mom's Amazing Grace* – Mark Templeton (producer, composer)
- 2012 – *Hand to the Plow* – [Marty Raybon](/source/Marty_Raybon) (producer)
- 2012 – *Working on a Building* – [Trace Adkins](/source/Trace_Adkins), [Marty Raybon](/source/Marty_Raybon), [T. Graham Brown](/source/T._Graham_Brown), [Jimmy Fortune](/source/Jimmy_Fortune), [Alan Jackson](/source/Alan_Jackson), [George Jones](/source/George_Jones), [Glen Campbell](/source/Glen_Campbell), [Jason Crabb](/source/Jason_Crabb), [Aaron Tippin](/source/Aaron_Tippin) (producer, composer)
- 2013 – *Follow* – Cindy Hughlett (producer)
- 2013 - *We Were Young* - The Hunts (Producer)
- 2014 – *Forever Changed* – [T. Graham Brown](/source/T._Graham_Brown), [Leon Russell](/source/Leon_Russell), [The Oak Ridge Boys](/source/The_Oak_Ridge_Boys), [Vince Gill](/source/Vince_Gill), [The Booth Brothers](/source/The_Booth_Brothers), (producer) [Grammy](/source/Grammy) Nomination
- 2014 – *Something Old-Something New* – Cindy Hughlett (producer)
- 2015 – *Trust Me* – Cindy Hughlett (producer)
- 2015 – *The Wretch* – Mark Carman (producer, artist, piano)
- 2015 – *Carry the Message* – Steve Hess and Southern Salvation (executive producer)
- 2015 – *On Top of the Covers* – Justin Robinette (executive producer)
- 2015 – *Smallest Gifts* – Kenzie Walker (producer)
- 2016 – *Reflections* – Cindy Hughlett (producer, keyboards, arranger)
- 2016 – *Careful Where You Step* – Mark Carman (producer, artist, piano)
- 2016 – *Streets* – Rie Sanchez (producer, composer, keyboards)
- 2017 – *Mississippi* – Kate Stedelbauer (producer, piano, harmonica, keyboards)
- 2024 - *Pieces of Me* – Mark Carman (Artist, Arranger, Composer, Producer, Piano, Keyboards, Engineer)
- 2025 - *Fire On My Wings* – Maria Cruz (Arranger, Composer, Producer, Piano, Keyboards)
- 2025 - *The One Percent* – TRASTAR (Arranger, Producer, Piano, Keyboards)
- 2025 - *Christmas In My Heart* – Maria Cruz (Arranger, Composer, Producer, Piano, Keyboards)
- 2025 - *Dad Bum The World* – Piney Creek Trubadors (Arranger, Composer, Producer,)
- 2025 - *International Peace* – Mark Carman (Keyboards, Arranger, Composer, Producer,)

## References

1. ["Cash Box"](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1989/CB-1989-11-25.pdf). World Radio History. November 25, 1989. p. 2. Retrieved October 30, 2025.

1. Plummer, Sarah (January 11, 2015). ["Music producer hopes a Grammy win will honor West Virginia"](http://www.register-herald.com/news/music-producer-hopes-a-grammy-win-will-honor-west-virginia/article_bdc8a20e-7fd6-51b1-bc2a-26bbb0631cec.html). *[The Register-Herald](/source/The_Register-Herald)*. Retrieved March 10, 2017.

1. Holtzclaw, Mike. ["Former Norfolk cop lands a Grammy nomination"](http://www.dailypress.com/entertainment/blog/dp-popcorn-mark-carman-grammy-0205-story.html). *[Daily Press](/source/Daily_Press_(Virginia))*. Retrieved March 10, 2017.

1. Ollison, Rashod. ["Former Norfolk cop among Grammy nominees"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170319022657/http://pilotonline.com/entertainment/former-norfolk-cop-among-grammy-nominees/article_2f9fc434-2fd8-587c-af36-554c927c0293.html). *[The Virginian-Pilot](/source/The_Virginian-Pilot)*. Archived from [the original](http://pilotonline.com/entertainment/former-norfolk-cop-among-grammy-nominees/article_2f9fc434-2fd8-587c-af36-554c927c0293.html) on March 19, 2017. Retrieved March 10, 2017.

1. ["Self-Described 'Gun Lover' Mark Carman Releases Plea To 'Responsible Gun Owners'"](http://www.inquisitr.com/2477588/self-described-gun-lover-mark-carman-releases-plea-to-responsible-gun-owners/). *The Inquisitr News*. October 7, 2015. Retrieved March 10, 2017.

1. Spies, Mike (November 16, 2015). ["Gun Owner Mark Carman Makes a Plea for Modest Regulation and is Crucified Online"](https://www.thetrace.org/2015/11/gun-owner-mark-carman-makes-a-plea-for-modest-regulation-is-pilloried-online/). *[The Trace](/source/The_Trace_(website))*. Retrieved March 10, 2017.

1. ["President Obama Announces Executive Action on Guns"](http://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2016/01/05/exp-obama-announces-new-gun-control-measures.cnn). CNN. January 5, 2016.

1. ["CBC:Mark Carman, Gun Reform in the United States: January 5, 2016"](https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Mark+Carman+CBC&view=detail&mid=1257CC8E4F39C09C26A51257CC8E4F39C09C26A5&FORM=VIRE)

1. Eger, Chris (November 13, 2015). ["Meet the American Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170321083611/http://www.guns.com/2015/11/13/meet-the-american-coalition-for-responsible-gun-owners-video/). *Guns.com*. Archived from [the original](http://www.guns.com/2015/11/13/meet-the-american-coalition-for-responsible-gun-owners-video/) on March 21, 2017. Retrieved March 10, 2017.

1. ["Mark Carman, founder of the American Coalition for Responsible Gun Ownership, will meet with President Barack Obama to discuss gun reform"](http://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2016/01/04/obama-to-take-executive-action-on-gun-background-checks.cnn). CNN. January 4, 2016.

1. ["The Award"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170509033320/https://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov/the-award). *Presidentialserviceawards.gov*. Archived from [the original](http://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov/the-award) on May 9, 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2015.

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Mark Carman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Carman) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Carman?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.