Mark Simos
Mark Simos (Assistant Professor, Berklee Songwriting Department) is one of the most respected neo-traditionalist songwriters in the U.S. today, with a signature style combining finely crafted lyrics with surprising turns of melody and modal harmonies. He’s had more than 100 song and instrumental cuts with prominent bluegrass, folk, and progressive acoustic artists (Del McCoury, the Infamous Stringdusters, Laurie Lewis, Doyle Lawson, and the Wayfaring Strangers, among many others). Best known are his four songs recorded by Americana super-group Alison Krauss and Union Station. “Find My Way Back to My Heart,” the first single and video from AKUS’ 1997 So Long, So Wrong (RIAA Gold), was singled out for mention by reviews in Time, Rolling Stone, and USA Today. AKUS’s double-platinum Live CD and DVD include a live rendition of Simos’ “Take Me For Longing,” first released on the triple-Grammy winning New Favorite. (Berklee string players will greet Alison Krauss with this song as she receives her honorary doctorate this year.) In Alison Krauss’ words:
“Mark is a remarkable songwriter… one of those rare people who knows what words sound good together; and his lyrics are just as unique as his melodies. I never stop being amazed at his songs, and I’m never surprised that I love another one.”
Mark has released three albums of original instrumental music, one of traditional old-time fiddle music, and an acclaimed solo album of songs, Crazy Faith. Fellow songwriter Bob Franke wrote of Crazy Faith:
“Every now and then you run into an artist who has spent enough time with traditional music to learn its spiritual as well as its musical lessons, and to use that learning to forge an art that is at once timeless and utterly contemporary.”
Mark has co-written with many great songwriters and artists. “Start Again,” a co-write with Catie Curtis released on her 1999 album A Crash Course in Roses (Rykodisc), was later featured in the film A Slipping Down Life (Lion’s Gate). More recently, Mark co-wrote 7 songs on Australian rock icon Jimmy Barnes’ acclaimed release Rage and Ruin (2010), including the single “Largs Pier Hotel,” commemorating the legendary Adelaide pub where Barnes’ band Cold Chisel helped launch the Australian rock scene in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s.
A teacher at Berklee since 2006, Mark’s teaching combines solid technical content with explorations and exercises developed at workshops, camps and clinics over the years. He’s created new curriculum at the school including the popular Guitar Techniques for Songwriters course and an advanced Songwriting Collaboration class; early participants in that class helped to launch the first Perfect Pitch contest. Mark is also active in Berklee’s American Roots Music Program. He’s a respected guitar accompanist for traditional Celtic music, who’s been featured on numerous albums and in concerts and festivals across the U.S. and Europe; most recently performing extensively with champion Cape Breton fiddler (and Berklee alumna) Kimberley Fraser. He’s also a prizewinning old-time fiddler, known for his original tunes or “traditional music from imaginary countries; and created the Appalachian Old-Time Ensemble and a contemporary fiddle styles ensemble. In both his writing and his teaching, Mark champions craft, diversity, versatility, risk-taking, and innovation through renewal of timeless forms.
Josh Gruss
Josh Gruss is the CEO and Founder of Round Hill Music, an independent music publisher in New York City. Prior to starting Round Hill Music, he was a partner at Gruss & Co., a private investment firm based in New York City. Josh started his financial career as an investment banker at Bear Stearns & Co. Before his career in finance, Josh worked at Sony Music, Atlantic Records and Clear Channel’s live music division. Mr. Gruss earned his B.A. from Trinity College in Hartford, CT and an MBA from both Columbia University and London Business School. He served 6 years in the U.S Coast Guard and is a veteran of the War in Iraq. Mr. Gruss serves as a member of the Board of Trustees at Trinity College, and as a member of the Board of the Beracha Foundation.
Peter Bliss
Peter Bliss is a name familiar to recording artists, labels, music publishers, songwriters and television producers. His songs and music have been heard on records and over the radio/TV airwaves of the world.
The day after graduating from high school, Peter signed his first song publishing deal with Buddah Music. His songs and vocals together with his guitar and keyboard ability led to the release of his self-titled debut album on United Artists Records.
The J. Geils Band behind him, lead singer Peter Wolf turned to Bliss to help create the ‘top forty’ hit, I NEED YOU TONIGHT from his “LIGHTS OUT” debut solo album. Working closely with record producer Richard Perry in 1985, Peter helped guide Barbra Streisand through her vocal performance of his song EMOTION, which became the title track of her album, with the song being released as a single, a dance 12″, and a video co-starring the Who’s Roger Daltrey.
Peter’s melody and lyric writing is the common thread that joins a diverse universe of popular music. His songs have been recorded by NYSNC, Menudo, XUXA, Paula Abdul, Southside Johnny, Mr. Big’s Eric Martin, Manfred Mann singer Chris Thompson, the Osmond’s, Annie Haslam of Renaissance fame, and international artists Marisela (Latin America), Tommy Nilsson, Louise Hoffsten (Sweden), and Akina Nakamouri (Japan). His song “Thick” won first prize for Best Rock Song in the USA Songwriting Competiton. His song catalog is represented by MCA Music, Warner/Chappell, Rondor, Peer/Southern Organization, and his own CurlyMan/CurlyJams publishing companies.
Television work includes the intro theme for “The Twisted Tales of Felix the Cat” morning show originally seen on CBS and currently being shown around the world. Reality TV’s “High School Reunion” MTV’s “The Real Life” and ABC’s “All My Children” feature his songs. Corporate work for clients like Kindle Communication and Concentric include productions for Amgen, Ortho McNeil, Allergan, Celgene, Merck, Schering-Plough, Lilly and Johnson and Johnson.
A strong interest in the educational field finds him lending his talents to Children’s Television Workshop’s “SQUARE ONE TV” series, writing and producing songs for music videos by artists like the Judds and Bobby McFerrin. “Side By Side” and “Word By Word” are companion music albums and songbooks written and produced for Pearson Books. Peter’s also playing and singing on numerous artist projects including acoustic guitar on Jewel’s “HANDS” for her Christmas CD.
Peter’s love for the craft of songwriting led to his becoming the Professional Activities Coordinator for the Songwriters Hall Of Fame in 2007. Peter founded the New York Songwriters Collective in September 2011 to continue serving the songwriting community with workshops that bring together music industry pros with up and coming songwriters. One day seminars, showcases and free “SongWorking” meetings featuring guest speakers on many topics integral to the songwriter happen regularly.
Peter works from his Planet Studio located in midtown west in New York City. Peter is an active member of NARAS, SHOF, NSAI, ASCAP, BMI, SAG, AFTRA,and AFM.