{{Short description|Australian singer, songwriter, and actor}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox person | name = Mark Stevens | birth_place = Hobart, Tasmania, Australia | birth_date = | occupation = Actor, singer, worship leader | years_active = 1985–present | spouse = Bethan Stevens | children = 2 }} '''Mark Stevens''' is an Australian singer, songwriter, actor and worship leader. Stevens began his career after a winning a talent contest in his birth place, Hobart. His win attracted the attention the producer of Network 10's musical variety show ''Young Talent Time''. Stevens was invited to join the cast and his family relocated to Melbourne to facilitate his career. As a member of ''Young Talent Time'', Stevens recorded music for an official album release and took part in the Australian city tour. He decided to leave the series after more than three years. He then successfully auditioned for the role of teenage tearaway Nick Page, in the soap opera ''Neighbours''.
Stevens remained with the show for two years before concentrating solely on his music career. He signed a record deal with major label BMG and teamed up with Nik Kershaw creating new music. During his time with the company he released the singles "Broken English" and "This Is The Way To Heaven". His career became affected by his personal life and a drug addiction and he parted ways with BMG. In 1996, Stevens began to overcome his addiction and became a practising Christian. His affiliation with the Hillsong Church helped him become a worship leader. He began working on new music with Hillsong Worship and later had an eleven year career with the Abundant Life Church. In 2011, Stevens released his debut studio album, "To Be With You", based on his experiences with God.
==Career== Stevens was born in Hobart, Tasmania.<ref name=whoswho>{{cite journal|title=Streetwise Nick Page|journal=Neighbours Who's Who|year=1989|issue=12|pages=6|publisher=Star Magazine Group}}</ref> Stevens took an interest in music as a child and later formed a band with his brother, Brett.<ref name=ytt1>Stevens 2014, p.25.</ref> Stevens entered a local talent contest and made it to the final round. The winner was decided by a judging panel, which included a producer from Network 10's musical variety show Young Talent Time.<ref name=ytt1/>
Stevens won the contest and his win was reported on television news and featured in newspapers.<ref name=ytt2>Stevens 2014, p.26.</ref> In the weeks that followed, Stevens' parents were contacted by the producers of ''Young Talent Time'', asking him to audition. They flew Stevens and his mother to the studio in Melbourne, Victoria.<ref name=ytt2/> Stevens auditioned with a performance of the song "Ben" and was immediately offered a place on the show.<ref name=ytt2/> Stevens accepted the role, which meant his family had to relocate to Melbourne.<ref name=ytt3>Stevens 2014, p.27.</ref>
Stevens was just thirteen when he the joined the cast of ''Young Talent Time''.<ref name=bio>{{cite web |title=Mark Stevens |url=https://greatbiglifepublishing.com/authors/mark-stevens/ |website=Great Big Life Publishing |accessdate=7 July 2020}}</ref> The series featured a number of young performers and help them start their singing and acting careers. He performed alongside Dannii Minogue, Greg Poynton and Vince Del Tito.<ref name=ytt>{{cite web |last1=Lee Lewis |first1=Jacqueline |title=Stars, but not starry-eyed|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/54631688/ |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |accessdate=7 July 2020 |pages=94 |date=22 December 1985|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}</ref> Stevens remained in school, filmed the show each Saturday and also participated in the show's arena tour of major Australian cities.<ref name=ytt3/> In 1987, the cast released the album titled "Phenomenon", which featured Stevens on several tracks.<ref>{{cite AV media notes|others=The Young Talent Team |title=Phenomenon|year=1987|type= Liner Notes [Vinyl] |publisher=Hammard|id=CAS HAM 168}}</ref> Stevens worked on the show for three years before leaving to pursue acting.<ref name=neighboursannual>Desmond 1990, p.32.</ref> While living in Melbourne, Stevens began to study music at the Melba Memorial Conservatorium of Music.<ref name=whoswho/>
After leaving, Stevens got a new agent to help direct his music career. Instead, his agent put him forward for an audition for the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours''.<ref name=ytt3/> He went onto secure the role of Nick Page. Stevens auditioned alongside forty-four other actors.<ref name=neighboursrole>{{cite journal |title=New kids on the block Neighbours' Mark Stevens and Ashley Paske|journal=My Guy |date=30 August 1990 |issue=638 |pages=15, 16 |publisher=(IPC Media)}}</ref> The character was written as a teenage "tearaway" who liked graffiti and art.<ref>Hopwood 1989, p.31.</ref> Stevens had no previous acting experience prior to the role.<ref name=ytt4>Stevens 2014, p.28.</ref>
In July 1989, Stevens revealed he had been working on his music career. He had created some recordings and noted that they would sound different from the works of other musicians who had left ''Neighbours''.<ref name=music>{{cite web |title=1000 Neighbours Pt 2 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/51976736/1000-neighbours-pt-2/ |website=The Age |accessdate=7 July 2020 |pages=51 |date=6 July 1989|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}</ref> Stevens recorded his own music in a home studio.<ref name=neighboursannual/> Stevens released one of his home recordings, titled "Playing Hard To Get", as an Australian only single.<ref name=tvguidemag>{{cite journal |last1=Noone |first1=Jane |title=We go out, swear a lot, have fun! |journal=TV Guide |date=31 March – 6 April 1990 |issue=53 |pages=12 |publisher=(Murdoch Magazines)}}</ref> Stevens' contract with ''Neighbours'' expired in December 1989 and was not renewed.<ref name=music/>
The show's popularity in the United Kingdom gained Stevens an international audience. He moved to the country where he began theatre work and was soon signed to a record deal with BMG. He signed a management deal with Kenny Smith, who was also managing the Eurythmics. He began working on new music with Nik Kershaw, for his debut album and toured with the band Take That.<ref name=ytt4/> During this time, BMG and RCA promoted to releases "Broken English" and "This Is The Way To Heaven".<ref>{{cite AV media notes|others=Mark Stevens |title=Broken English|year=1990|type= Liner Notes [Vinyl] |publisher=RCA|id=105195}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|others=Mark Stevens |title=This Is The Way To Heaven|year=1991|type= Liner Notes [CD] |publisher=BMG UK|id=5012394467425}}</ref> Stevens signed with The Wheatley Organisation to manage his career in Australia.<ref name=tvweek1991>{{cite journal |last1=Murphy |first1=Nicola |title=Mark rocks on |journal=TV Week |date=2 February 1991 |pages=17}}</ref> In late 1990, Stevens acted in a British pantomime performance of Aladdin, playing the title role.<ref name=tvweek1991/> In February 1991, Stevens had a guest appearance on the Nine Network comedy series, ''All Together Now'', in which he played the role of Derek.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Born to Be Wild |series=All Together Now|series-link=All Together Now (1991 Australian TV series)|credits=Pino Amenta (director), Shane Brennan, Philip Dalkin (writers)|network=Nine Network|airdate=5 February 1991|series-no=1|number=3}}</ref> He played a heavy metal music rocker type character, who is the boyfriend of Jane Hall's character, Anna.<ref name=tvweek1991/>
Stevens' career began to suffer from his then secret alcohol and drug addiction, which he developed from age sixteen.<ref name=ytt5>Stevens 2014, p.29.</ref> He became increasingly dependant on recreational drugs and his record label began to notice his behaviour when he arrived to recording sessions unable to sing. Stevens later recalled arriving at the photo shoot for his debut album cover, vomiting and drug taking.<ref>Stevens 2014, p.30.</ref> After he and his record label parted ways, Stevens returned to Australia. He later returned to live with his parents in Hobart, but his addiction continued.<ref>Stevens 2014, p.31.</ref> Stevens later returned to England, with his brother Brett and they attempted to secure a new record deal.<ref>Stevens 2014, p.33.</ref> It was thereafter that Stevens developed a heroin addiction.<ref>Stevens 2014, p.35.</ref>
Stevens managed to overcome his ten year addiction. He has credited an experience with God at a house party in August 1996 as being a major factor in his change of lifestyle.<ref name=tv>{{cite web |title=Here's how child star Mark Stevens went from drug addict to worship leader |url=https://godtv.com/mark-stevens/ |website=GOD TV |accessdate=7 July 2020 |date=10 May 2017}}</ref> Following the experience Stevens decided to follow Christianity and became involved with the Hillsong Church.<ref name=tv/> Stevens originally joined the Hillsong Church for four years both in London and Sydney. There he wrote and toured music with Hillsong Worship under the leadership of Brian and Bobbie Houston & Darlene Zschech.<ref name=info>{{cite web |title=Worship |url=http://www.markstevensmusic.com/what-i-do/worship |website=Mark Stevens Music |accessdate=7 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130731221500/http://www.markstevensmusic.com/what-i-do/worship |archive-date=31 July 2013}}</ref> Stevens spent the next eleven years working as a Worship Pastor and Creative Director at the Abundant Life Church in Bradford, United Kingdom.<ref name=bio/>
In 2011, Stevens released his debut studio album titled "To Be With You". The album features a collection of songs about his personal journey and religion.<ref name=bio/> Stevens later began travelling creating religious workshops and building worship teams.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mark Stevens |url=https://www.cfan.org.uk/person/mark-stevens |website=Christ for all Nations |accessdate=7 July 2020 |language=en |date=16 May 2012}}</ref> Stevens described the album as "songs that were birthed through an intimate and passionate relationship with his Saviour."<ref name=music2>Stevens 2014, p.165.</ref> In 2014, Stevens completed work on his second studio album.<ref name=music2/> Stevens married Bethan, the daughter of Abundant Life Church pastor Paul Scanlon.<ref>Stevens 2014, p.5.</ref> They have two children together and settled in Bradford, England.<ref name=bio/><ref>Stevens 2014, p.149.</ref>
==Filmography== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |- ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Role ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes |- ! scope="row"| 1985-1988 | ''Young Talent Time'' | As himself | Regular role |- ! scope="row"| 1988-1990 | ''Neighbours'' | Nick Page | Regular role |- ! scope="row"| 1991 | ''All Together Now'' | Derek | Guest role |- |}
==Discography== ===Studio albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of studio albums ! scope="col" rowspan="1" style="width:10em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="1" style="width:20em;"| Album details |- ! scope="row"| ''To Be With You'' | * Released: 25 October 2011 <span style="font-size:85%;">(United Kingdom)</span> * Label: Mark Stevens Music, SHOUT! * Formats: CD, digital download<ref>{{cite web |title=to be with you-1cd |url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NPDMFN4/ref=ntt_mus_dp_dpt_2 |website=Amazon.com |accessdate=7 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=To Be With You by Mark Stevens |url=http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/to-be-with-you/id474700768 |website=iTunes |accessdate=7 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905151558/http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/to-be-with-you/id474700768|archive-date=5 September 2012}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| ''Bring Down Heaven'' | * Released: 2015 <span style="font-size:85%;">(United Kingdom)</span> * Label: Mark Stevens Music * Formats: CD, digital download<ref>{{cite web |title=Bring Down Heaven |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bring-Down-Heaven-Mark-Stevens/dp/B0155BQHJ6 |website=Amazon.co.uk |accessdate=7 July 2020}}</ref> |- |}
===Singles=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of singles ! scope="col" rowspan="1" style="width:14em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="1"| Year ! scope="col" rowspan="1"| Album |- !scope="row"| "Broken English" | 1990 |rowspan="2"|''Non-album singles'' |- !scope="row"| "This Is The Way To Heaven" | 1991 |- |}
==References== {{Reflist}} ;Bibliography {{Refbegin|2}} * {{cite book|last=Hopwood|first=Clive|title=The Official Neighbours Annual 1990|year=1989|publisher=World International Publishing|isbn=0-7235-6859-6|ref=refhopwood}} * {{cite book|last=Desmond|first=Kesta|title=Neighbours Special|year=1990|publisher=Grandreams Ltd|isbn=0-86227-775-2|ref=refdesmond}} * {{cite book|last=Stevens|first=Mark|title=Strength For The Road|year=2014|publisher=Great Big Life Publishing|isbn=978-0-9928027-6-9|ref=refstevens}} {{Refend}}
==External links== * [https://web.archive.org/web/20130613161353/http://markstevensmusic.org/ Official website] * {{IMDb name|0828599}} * [https://vimeo.com/user18518971 Mark Stevens] on Vimeo
{{DEFAULTSORT:Stevens, Mark}} Category:Living people Category:20th-century Australian male actors Category:21st-century Australian male actors Category:Australian male singers Category:Australian male child actors Category:Australian pop singers Category:Australian male soap opera actors Category:Male actors from Hobart Category:Musicians from Hobart Category:Year of birth missing (living people)