Mark Selby-Dirt (bluesy/guitarist)

Mark Otis Selby (born in Enid, Oklahoma, United States)[1] is an American blues rock singer-songwriter, guitarist, multi-instrumentalist and producer. He is a solo artist, signed to ZYX Records in Europe, and one half of performing duo with his wife, songwriter Tia Sillers. He also plays guitar in recording sessions for musical artists such as Kenny Rogers, Johnny Reid, Keni Thomas, Jimmy Hall, and Wynonna Judd.

Selby is perhaps best known for the number of songs that he co-wrote with the blues-rock artist Kenny Wayne Shepherd which includes the No. 1 single, "Blue on Black". This song was also Billboard magazine rock track of the year in 1998. Selby also collaborated with Sillers on the No. 1 song, "There's Your Trouble", which was recorded by the Dixie Chicks and won the band their first Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 1999.

Selby has released a number of solo albums thus far. The first two projects, More Storms Comin' and Dirt were on Vanguard Records. After signing with ZYX in Merenberg, Germany, he released his next album, Mark Otis Selby And The Horse He Rode In On. This all-acoustic release featured Selby's 1974 Mossman guitar and spurred a broad audience in Germany and Switzerland. A more recent project, Nine Pound Hammer, was released in 2008. He has worked with the Grammy winning record producer Brent Maher on all of his projects.

Besides the Mossman, he plays a modified 1990s Fender Relic Nocaster, a Fender Rory Gallagher Fender Stratocaster, and a 1944 Gibson J-45. As for amplifiers, he describes himself as "a Fender guy."

"Dirt" is my introduction to Oklahoma/Kansas man Mark Selby. Known as a songwriter for "There's Your Trouble" by Dixie Chics, his sophomore disc both rocks and purrs. My favorite track is "Willin' to Burn" with its insistent rhythm and haunting electric lead that holds the note almost in pause and then smokes like a freight train, "I've got nothin' to lose; I'm down on my knees; I'm beggin' you; I'm willin' to crawl." The other standout track is the soothing ballad "If the World Was Mine." On this Selby coos and the background vocals buoy the gorgeous melody, "And if I stole you heart away, it would be a crime; why shouldn't I have everything, if the world was mine." Other tracks are consistently strong such as "Desire" that has an addictive melody and the sad blues written with Kieran Kane called "Easier to Lie." The CD concludes with 2 excellent tracks, the churning "Unforgiven" and the burning rocker "Dirt." The farming motif of the booklet photography made me feel like I was at an art exhibit celebrating rural America. Selby's CD is a consitently strong effort. (Amazon Review)

YouTube Sample-Back Door to My Heart