2024

NEWSFLASH: "The Sound Of That' continues to get strong airplay on Folk Radio.  For the month of November it was number 30 on the airplay chart, and "I Can't Wait To Wake Up Tomorrow" was the 19th most played song.  That make three months in a row where Mark has placed a song in the top 20. Details at www.folkradio.org

NEWSFLASH:
Mark was selected again this year as a finalist in the USA Songwriting Competition, the seventeenth time (and tenth consecutive year) he has been so honored.  Details at www.songwriting.net

NEWSFLASH:
"The Sound Of That" has been receiving quite a bit of airplay on Folk Radio, with every song on the album receiving airplay  The album was number 16 on the national Folk-DJ radio chart for the month of October, with "I Can't Wait To Wake Up Tomorrow" the 11th most played song.  Overall Mark was the 24th most played artist.  Details at www.folkradio.org

NEWSFLASH:
"The Sound Of That" received a nice review in the November issue of Metronome Magazine, which chose it as one of its top 6 new releases of the month. (Go to the Reviews tab to read the review).

NEWSFLASH:
"It Takes All Kinds' from "The Sound of That" was the number 10 most played song for the month of September on the national Folk-DJ radio chart.  Details at www.folkradio.org

NEWSFLASH:
The great Lisa Bastoni (who did the artwork and layout for "The Sound Of That") made a lovely lyric video for "I Can't Wait To Wake Up Tomorrow", the opening track.  Check it out at https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FXEMpvs8TpU

NEWSFLASH:
"The Sound Of That" was officially released on September 27 and received a nice review in Victoria Wasylak's "Sound Check" column in the Boston Globe.  (Go to the Reviews tab to read the review).

NEWSFLASH:
"It Takes All Kinds' from "The Sound Of That" was the "New Release of the Week" on WPPM's "The Philly Folk Scene" for the week of September 12.  Details at www.phillycam.org  

NEWSFLASH:
At long last, Mark's new album, "The Sound Of That", is here. It features 10 new songs and backing from some incredible musicians including Doug Kwartler (who co-produced), Louise Mosrie Coombe, Sean Staples and Tim Roper.  The album will be available at Bandcamp and streaming sites on September 27. 

NEWSFLASH:
Mark was selected to be part of this year's Emerging Artist showcase at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival.  Details at www.falconridgefolk.com

NEWSFLASH:
Mark's song (I'm Gonna) Drink & Cheat & Steal & Swear & Lie was featured in Episode 3 of the new Netflix series "Bodkin", which premiered on May 9.

NEWSFLASH:
Two new songs of Mark's received awards in this year's Great American Song Contest. "Hard and Fast Rule", which will appear on Mark's forthcoming album, was named a Top 5 selection in the Country category, and a new song called "The Gospel Truth" was a finalist in the Lyric Writing category.  Details at www.greatamericansong.com 

NEWSFLASH:
Yule Like This' was the number 2 album on the Folk Radio national airplay chart for the month of December.  Mark was the fifth most played artist and "Your Favorite Christmas Song" the sixth most played song.  Details at www.folkradio.org

2023

A very enjoyable musical year with some great shows. awards and a movie placement, not to mention a fabulous reception on Folk Radio to Mark's holiday album.  Mark's new (non-holiday) album is almost finished and will be released sometime during 2024.

NEWSFLASH:
On November 24 Mark released "Yule Like This", a compilation album featuring original holiday sings he has recorded over the years for various Hudson Harding folk radio sampler CDs.  The album is available for streaming or purchase at Mark's Bandcamp site, and can also be streamed on Spotify and all major streaming sites.

NEWSFLASH:
Once again this year Mark was named as a finalist in the USA Songwriting Competition, the sixteenth time (and ninth consecutive year) he has been so honored.  Details at www.songwriting.net

NEWSFLASH:
"One More Game Of Texas Hold 'Em" received a Judge's Choice award in the New England Songwriting Competition.  Details at www.newenglandsongwritingcompetition.com

NEWSFLASH:
Mark was the most decorated songwriter in this year's Great American Song Contest, winning First Prize in the Lyric Writing category for "One More Game Of Texas Hold 'Em" (his fifth First Prize overall in this contest and fourth time he has won the lyric category), as well as also placing songs in the Top 5 of three separate categories: Folk/Americana  ("One More Game Of Texas Hold 'Em"), Lyric Writing ("It Takes All Kinds") and Special Category ("Robert Kraft & Me").  Also. "I Can't Wait To Wake Up Tomorrow" was a finalist in the Folk/Americana category.  Details at www.greatamericansong.com.  "One More Game Of Texas Hold 'Em", "It Takes All Kinds" and "I Can't Wait To Wake Up Tomorrow" are all going to be included on Mark's forthcoming new album.

NEWSFLASH:
Mark's song "(I'm Gonna) Drink & Cheat & Steal & Swear & Lie" is featured in the new movie "Americana", starring Sydney Sweeney and Halsey, which opened to excellent reviews at this year's SXSW festival and is expected to be placed in wider distribution shortly.  Info at https://schedule.sxsw.com/2023/films/2085286

2022

A nice musical year for Mark as things get back to a little more normal, including a sold-out show at Nashville's Listening Room and 1st Prize in the USA Songwriting Competition.  Meanwhile Mark is hard at work on his next album, which if all goes well will be available sometime in 2023.

NEWSFLASH:
Mark's song "Your Favorite Christmas Song" won First Prize in this year's USA Songwriting Competition (Novelty/Comedy category), and will be included on a compilation CD with other First Prize winners.  Details at www.songwriting.net

NEWSFLASH:
Mark had a great time performing before a sold-out crowd at the Listening Room in Nashville as part of the USA Songwriting Competition's annual showcase.  Here's a brief clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRLaEhShIy8

NEWSFLASH:
"When Vernon Moved From Tupelo" was a finalist in the Folk/Americana/Roots category of this year's International Acoustic Music Awards.  Details at www.inacousttic.com

NEWSFLASH:
"Watching Rudolph", a new song of Mark's released as a seasonal single, was the 14th most played song on folk radio for the month of December. Details at http://www.folkradio.org

NEWSFLASH:
After a typically long period of procrastination, Mark has finally posted all of his albums on Bandcamp, available for download or purchase  Check out his page at  markstepakoff.bandcamp.com

NEWSFLASH:
In honor of the great Christine Lavin's 70th birthday, Mark has released a cover of her song "Waltzing With Him" (renamed "Waltzing With Her") as a single to folk radio.  This has also spurred Mark to update for the first time in a long time the "MP3 of the month" on this site, so you can listen to the single there.

2021

Notwithstanding all the difficulties presented by another pandemic year, there were some some nice musical moments for Mark in 2021, including an HBO song placement and a number of awards and recognitions.  On to bigger and brighter things in 2022 . . .   

NEWSFLASH:
The "Know Better Do Better Project",  www.knowbetterdobetterproject.com,  an ongoing project in which songwriters reimagine traditional folk songs that have historically included racially offensive or other problematic elements, and to which Mark is proud to have contributed a new song called "I Can't Wait To Wake Up Tomorrow", was recently selected for an Iguana Music Fund grant from Club Passim.  Details at www.passim.org

NEWSFLASH:
Mark was recently a guest on "Song Creating", a podcast on which songwriters are interviewed about a song they wrote based on personal experience.
Mark spoke in detail about how in 2019 he came to have his photograph appear on the front page of the Boston Globe and how that inspired him to write his song "Robert Kraft and Me".  Mark's interview and interviews with other songwriters can be found at www.songcreating.com

NEWSFLASH:
"Excuse Me For Living" was named a finalist in this year's USA Songwriting Competition.  This marks the thirteenth time in the last sixteen years (14th time overall and 7th year in a row) that one of Mark's songs has been selected as a finalist in this contest.  Details at www.songwriting.net

NEWSFLASH:
"One More Game Of Texas Hold 'Em", a new song of Mark's, received Honorable Mention in the September/October edition of American Songwriter magazine's Lyric Contest.  This is the thirteenth song of Mark's to receive an award from American Songwriter.  Details at www.americansongwriter.com

NEWSFLASH:
"A Single Drop Of Water", from "Any Port In A Storm", took 1st Prize in the Blues category in this year's New England Songwriting (formerly Eventide) Competition.  Details at www.eventidearts.com. It's hoped that there will be a winners and finalists showcase in the fall -- Details to come. 

NEWSFLASH:
"April Fools", Mark's duet with the great Rose Polenzani from "Any Port In A Storm", was the 13th most played song on the Folk-DJ radio airplay chart for the month of April.  Details at http://www.folkradio.org

NEWSFLASH:
Mark is very pleased to be a part of the "Know Better Do Better Project", in which songwriters reimagine songs that are part of the traditional folk canon but which would now be considered problematic or offensive.  Details and videos can be found at www.knowbetterdobetterproject.com   To mark the inception of the project, Mark and other songwriters who have contributed songs and videos will be playing a streaming show in association with Club Passim on Friday April 23 beginning at 8:00 PM.  The show can be streamed through Passim's Facebook and YouTube pages.

NEWSFLASH:
Mark's song "(I'm Gonna) Drink & Cheat & Steal & Swear & Lie" was featured in a recent episode of the television series "Made For Love" on HBO Max.  You can go to Spotify to hear this song and all of the music featured in the show at
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2SCKCqjcyT6YVJ51E8PZIY?si=5ON4mIujQn--8vXCcrToYQ&nd=1

NEWSFLASH:
Mark won 5 awards in this year's Great American Song Contest, including Top 5 honors in the Folk/Americana and Lyric categories for, respectively, "Fires Gotta Burn" and "April Fools".  This marks the eleventh consecutive year in which Mark has received at least one Top 5 award in this contest.  Details at www.greatamericansong.com

NEWSFLASH:
Santa Claus Ain't Comin' To Town", Mark's update of the holiday classic for 2020, which appears on the Hudson Harding holiday sampler "The Longest Night of the Year, Vol. 3, was number 4 on the Folk-DJ radio airplay chart for the month of December.  Mark was also the 40th most played artist on Folk Radio during December: He and the late great John Prine were the only artists among the top 40 most played artists at any point in 2020 who didn't release a new CD.


2020

Needless to say, 2020 was a difficult year for just about everybody.  In Mark's case this included the cancellation of some great shows, at least some of which will hopefully at some point be rescheduled.  Nonetheless there were some nice things that happened to Mark in 2020, including being a finalist again in the USA Songwriting Competition and Great American Song Contest (four songs, including two top 5 selections),1st Prize in the Eventide Songwriting Competition, and a top 5 song on Folk Radio.  Here's hoping for a better 2021 for everyone.

NEWSFLASH:
Mark was a semi-finalist in the Americana category in this year's International Songwriting Competition.  Details at www.songwritingcompetition.com

NEWSFLASH:
"Your Favorite Christmas Song" was number 4 on the Folk-DJ radio airplay chart for the month of December.  This is the sixth song of Mark's to hit the top 10 on national folk radio.  Details at http://www.folkradio.org


2019

2019 may have been the best year musically I've ever experienced.  Some wonderful honors and memorable shows: Rose Garden Coffeehouse; Linden Tree Potpourri, NERFA Folk-DJ Showcase, Passim Campfire, Pete Seeger 100th Birthday Celebration, USA Songwriting and Great American Song Contest finalist, and more.  Looking forward to 2020! 

NEWSFLASH:
"Santa & Elvis" was named a finalist in this years' USA Songwriting Competition, the eleventh time in the last fourteen years (12th time overall and 5th year in a row) Mark has been selected as a finalist.  The song also received Honorable Mention across all categories, one of only two songs from the Specialty category to have been so selected.  Mark is also very pleased to have been selected to be a part of a USA Songwriting Competition showcase at Douglas Corner in Nashville in May.  Details at www.songwriting.net

NEWSFLASH:
Very excited to have been selected as a finalist in this year's Rose Garden Coffeehouse Performing Songwriter Competition.  Kala Farnham and Timothy Sawyer were also selected as finalists and we will be performing our songs at the Rose Garden on May 18 in advance of the performance by the headliner, April Verch.   Details at www.rosegardenfolk.com

NEWSFLASH:
Old favorite "Barbecue Sauce" was named a Top 5 selection in the Singer/Songwriter category in this year's Great American Song Contest.  This is the ninth consecutive year Mark has had a song place in the GASC Top 5, in a total of four different categories: Singer/Songwriter, Folk/Americana, Lyrics and Special Music.  Additionally, "Santa & Elvis" was named a finalist in this year's Special Music category.  This brings to 24 the number of Mark's songs that have received awards in this contest.

NEWSFLASH:
Mark was selected by the audience as a Top 3 choice at the Linden Tree Coffeehouse's January potpourri, resulting in a slot in 2020 at the Linden Tree opening for the inimitable Don White.  Very excited to be opening for Don again; details to come.

NEWSFLASH:
Mark was named by Metronome magazine as one of the Boston area's top 20 artists of 2018, praising him as "[a] master of capturing life's intricacies in a cleverly original way".  Thanks Metronome!

NEWSFLASH:"
Santa & Elvis" was the third most played song on national folk radio for the month of December.  This is the fifth song of Mark's to hit the national folk radio airplay top 10, and the third to reach as high as number 3.  Details at http://www.folkradio.org


2018

A lot of cool musical happenings in 2018; looking forward to more in 2019!

NEWSFLASH:
Mark was selected as the winner of the December 17 Lizard Lounge Open Mic Challenge.  Nice way to close out a great year!

NEWSFLASH:
"Santa & Elvis", a new holiday song written and recorded by Mark, is included on the Hudson Harding holiday compilation "The Longest Night Of The Year, Vol. 1".  You can check out a video of the song, made by the great Christine Lavin, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxBCvI-wJws

NEWSFLASH:
For the tenth time in the last thirteen years Mark has been selected as a finalist in the USA Songwriting Competition. This year honoree is "The Sausage Factory", from "Any Port In A Storm". Details at www.songwriting.net

NEWSFLASH:
Thanks to the always wonderful Christine Lavin, the video for Mark's song "Leonard Cohen Christmas" (https://vimeo.com/189841930) was played between sets at this year's Philadelphia Folk Festival.

NEWSFLASH:
Mark had the pleasure of recently co-writing a song with the great Greg Klyma, "He Had A Southern Accent (Take It On Faith)".  Check out Greg performing the song at https://www.facebook.com/SocialKlyma/videos/10160430453875523/

NEWSFLASH: "
Christmas In Bethlehem" was awarded First Prize in the Lyrics category of this year's Great American Song Contest. (The song was also named a Top 5 selection in the Special Music category).  This is the third time Mark has received First Prize in the Lyrics category of this contest, the fourth overall First Prize he has received in this contest, and the eighth consecutive year that Mark has had a song named as a Top 5 selection. Overall this is the 22nd song of Mark's to have received an award in this contest. Details at www.greatamericansong.com

NEWSFLASH:
Mark's song "Christmas In Bethlehem" was the number 6 most played song on national Folk Radio for the month of December.  This is Mark's fourth song to hit the top 10 on the national Folk Radio airplay chart.  Mark was also the 25th most played artist on Folk Radio.  Details at http://www.folkradio.org


2017

Another great year with the release of "Any Port In A Storm" and some fantastic shows. Some great things planned for 2018 as well --

NEWSFLASH: "
Any Port In A Storm" was named a Top 5 selection in the December issue of Metronome Magazine, with a review praising the CD's "vivid tales of love and life" and raving that "all the songs vibrate with beautiful sentiment even when Stepakoff turns on his unique wit."  Check out the full review on the Reviews page.

NEWSFLASH:
For the ninth time in the last twelve years Mark has been selected as a finalist in the USA Songwriting Competition. This year Mark was a finalist in two categories: "I Didn't Come This Far (To Only Come This Far)" for Lyrics and "Leonard Cohen Christmas" for best Novelty/Comedy song. Details at www.songwriting.net

NEWSFLASH: "
Any Port In A Storm" got a great review in the November edition of The Noise, which calls the CD "highly entertaining, written with wit and performed with verve."   Check out the full review on the Reviews page or at http://thenoise-boston.com/2017/11/cd-reviews-48/

NEWSFLASH: "
Any Port In A Storm" went to number 18 on the national "Folk-DJ" radio airplay chart for the month of October.  Details at http://www.folkradio.org

NEWSFLASH:
The amazing Christine Lavin has recorded and posted a video of a parody song written by Mark (music by Joni Mitchell).  Check it out at: https://www.facebook.com/christine.lavin.5/videos/10212423441728338/ or
https://vimeo.com/237368611

NEWSFLASH:
Mark's long awaited new CD, "Any Port In A Storm", is finally completed and will be released this Fall.  The official CD release show will be at Club Passim on November 22.  (Mark will be playing at Passim three times in the Fall; in addition to the CD release show he will be opening two shows for Christine Lavin on October 7). Details at www.clubpassim.org

NEWSFLASH: "
I Didn't Come This Far (To Only Come This Far)", a song from Mark's upcoming new CD, received Honorable Mention in the July/August edition of American Songwriter magazine's lyric contest.  This is the twelfth award Mark has received from American Songwriter.  Details at www.americansongwriter.com

NEWSFLASH: "
Leonard Cohen Christmas" received an "Outstanding Achievement in Songwriting" award as a top five selection in this year's Great American Song Contest, the 25th song of Mark's to receive an award in this contest.  Details at www.greatamericansong.com

NEWSFLASH: Singer-songwriter Greg Klyma recently covered "When Vernon Moved From Tupelo" at one of his great "Americana Sunday" shows at Thunder Road in Somerville.  Here's a clip of Greg playing the song: https://youtu.be/ZbnRyEA_LDk

NEWSFLASH: "
Leonard Cohen Christmas" was number 3 on the national Folk-DJ radio airplay chart for the month of December.  This is Mark's third top 10 song on the folk airplay chart. Details at http://www.folkradio.org


2016

Lots of exciting events and honors in 2016, and work continues apace on Mark's upcoming CD!

NEWSFLASH:
For the eighth time in the last eleven years Mark has been selected as a finalist in the USA Songwriting Competition. Details at www.songwriting.net

NEWSFLASH:
Mark's song "Cold Blood" is discussed in detail in the chapter on narrative songs in the fine new book on songwriting by local singer-songwriter Jane Fallon, "Beyond Reason: Songwriting on Purpose".  For more info go to
www.townforestbooksandmusic.com

NEWSFLASH: Mark has recorded a new original holiday song that is going to be included on an upcoming sampler provided to Folk Radio by Hudson Harding radio promotions. Through the incredible efforts of the amazing Christine Lavin, a video of the song is featured in Gene Weingarten's column in the Washington Post online.  Gene calls the song "wonderful".  Check it out at https://live.washingtonpost.com/gene-weingarten-20161101.html. Or to access the video directly, go to:
https://vimeo.com/189841930

NEWSFLASH:
A video of the entire Mighty Sam McClain tribute concert from last November has been posted and can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KODpwwNxMP8.  Check out Mark's song over the closing credits . . .

NEWSFLASH: "
Making Guns", a new song of Mark's, received an "Outstanding Achievement in Songwriting" award as a top five selection in this year's Great American Song Contest.  Mark was also named a finalist in the country and specialty categories.  Mark has now had a grand total of 24 different songs receive awards in this contest over the years.  Details at www.greatamericansong.com


2015

Another great year -- Some really cool shows and honors.  And Mark also began work on a new CD --

NEWSFLASH:
On November 28, a tribute concert was held at the Regent Theatre in Arlington for legendary soul/blues singer Mighty Sam McClain, who passed away in June.  The concert featured Mighty Sam's band and an array of incredible blues and roots performers from the local scene and beyond, with all proceeds going to benefit the homeless.  Mark had written and recorded a song about Mighty Sam that appeared on Mark's 2006 album There Goes The Neighborhood, and was deeply honored to be asked to play at the tribute concert.  Unfortunately a scheduling conflict prevented Mark from being able to perform, but his song was played at the close of the evening.  A wonderful review of the event can be found at www.suzereviewstheblues.com    

NEWSFLASH:
"Excuse Me For Living", a new song of Mark's, was named a finalist in this years USA Songwriting Competition, the seventh time in the last ten years Mark has been selected as a finalist.  Details at www.songwriting.net

NEWSFLASH: "
Memory Museum" was a finalist in this year's UK Songwriting Contest. This is the first time Mark has been selected as a finalist in this contest, to go with three semi-final awards.  Details at www.songwritingcontest.uk


NEWSFLASH: For the fifth time, Mark was named a semi-finalist in the Dallas Songwriters Association Song Contest. "Liquor Don't Lie" was selected in the Americana/Folk/Bluegrass category.  Details at www.dallassongwrtiters.com

NEWSFLASH:
Mark has been selected as a finalist in the Connecticut Folk Festival's Grassy Hill Songwriting Competition, and will be performing in the finals at the festival on September 12.  Details at www.ctfolk.com

NEWSFLASH:
For the second year in a row, Mark received four awards in this year's Great American Song Contest.  "Rottweilers, Pitbulls & Dobermans" (a new song of Mark's) was a Top 5 selection, and "Damaged Goods" (another new song), "Cowboy Dreams" and "Vicarious" were finalists in, respectively, the Lyric Writing, Folk/Americana and Specialty Categories.  Details at  www.greatamericansong.com

NEWSFLASH:
For the fourth time, Mark was named a semi-finalist in the International Songwriting Competition.  Details at www.songwritingcompetition.com

NEWSFLASH: 
The fabulous Christine Lavin posted a wonderful review of "The Story Behind The Story" on her Facebook page.  She called it "a rarity - an album where every song is an A+".  See more on the Reviews page or check out the complete review at Christine's page.


2014

Lots of good stuff in 2014 -- Some great shows, accolades and awards.  Looking forward to 2015!

NEWSFLASH:
Mark received Honorable Mention in this year's Telluride Troubadour Competition.  This was quite an honor as the Finalists and other Honorable Mention selectees comprise a very impressive list of fantastic songwriters and performers.  Details at www.bluegrass.com/telluride/contests

NEWSFLASH:
For the third time, Mark has been named a semi-finalist in the International Songwriting Competition.  Details at www.songwritingcompetition.com

NEWSFLASH:
"When Vernon Moved From Tupelo" received Honorable Mention in the May/June edition of American Songwriter magazine's lyric contest, the eleventh time Mark has been honored by American Songwriter.  Details at  www.americansongwriter.com

NEWSFLASH:
Mark had a record haul of awards in this year's Great American Song Contest, including First Prize in the lyrics category for the second year in a row, this time for "Memory Museum". This is the first time in the history of the contest that the same songwriter has received First Prize in the lyrics category in back to back years.  Also, "Beer View Mirror" was a top 5 finalist in the Folk/Americana category, making Mark the only songwriter in this year's contest to have two top 5 songs.  And "Singer-Songwriter Hell" and  "They're Not Making Love Like That Anymore" were also selected as finalists, making Mark the only songwriter in this year's contest to receive four awards.  Details at www.greatamericansong.com
 
NEWSFLASH: "
Memory Museum" was a semi-finalist in this year's International Songwriting Competition.  This is the third time in the last five years that Mark has been named an ISC semi-finalist.   Details at www.songwritingcompetition.com
 
NEWSFLASH:
Mark appears on the cover of the January 2014 issue of Metronome magazine.  The issue features a lengthy interview with Mark, and some very flattering comments from publisher/editor Brian Owens, who calls The Story Behind The Story "one of the finest recordings you'll hear from any artist locally or nationally".

NEWSFLASH: "
The Story Behind The Story" was number 14 on WMBR's "Weekly Rock Report" for the week of January 11, and the top folk album on the chart.  Details at http://wmbr.mit.edu/cgi-bin/track?d=20140111&g=Rock

NEWSFLASH:
"The Story Behind The Story" was selected one of the best CDs of 2013 by Roots/Americana DJ Colin Fielding, Paul Porzio of Radio Fairfax, and Michael Stock of WLRN in Miami.

NEWSFLASH:
Mark's song "Santa Drank The Whole Damn Bar", featured on the holiday compilation CD "Hudson Harding Sampler Vol. 8: Happy Holidays", was the number 3 most played song on national folk radio for the month of December.  Details at http://www.folkradio.org


2013

A stellar year for Mark, with the phenomenal reception to "The Story Behind The Story" (great reviews, several "best of 2013" selections, two top 10 songs on the national folk chart, Passim campfire, several songwriting awards, etc.)   2014 will kick off with a bang with the CD's official release party at Passim.

NEWSFLASH:
For the sixth time in the last eight years, Mark was named a finalist in the USA Songwriting Competition.  Details at www.songwriting.net

NEWSFLASH:
"The Story Behind The Story" received a very nice review in the November issue of Metronome magazine, which selected the CD as one of its Top 5 picks for the month.  (See Reviews page for more details).

NEWSFLASH:
"The Story Behind The Story" was the number 13 album for the month of September on the national Freeform American Roots radio airplay chart.  Americana DJ Colin Fielding selected the CD as his Album of the Month.  Details at http://tcmnradio.com/far/

NEWSFLASH:
"The Story Behind The Story" was the number 17 album for the month of September on the national "Folk-DJ" radio airplay chart.  "You Either Get It Or You Don't" was the number 10 most played song.  Details at http://www.folkradio.org

NEWSFLASH:
Mark has been selected to perform at this year's Downtown Key Largo Songfest over Columbus Day weekend, along with some amazing songwriters, including
Lisa Carver (who has had songs recorded by Willie Nelson, Tim McGraw, Reba McEntire and Sugarland), Mark Stephen Jones (cuts by Toby Keith and Jake Owen), Jon Nite (Dierks Bentley and Blake Shelton), Bud Tower (Lynyrd Skynyrd and Hank Williams Jr.), and acclaimed Nashville by-way-of Brooklyn songwriter Ben de la Cour, with whom Mark will share a bill Friday and Saturday night.  See Gig page for details.

NEWSFLASH:
"Cold Blood": and "Memory Museum" were both selected as semi-finalists in this years Dallas Songwriters Association Song Contest (Folk/Americana category). Mark was the only songwriter in the category to have two songs selected. Details at   http://dsasongcontest.blogspot.com

NEWSFLASH: At long last, Mark's new CD "The Story Behind The Story" is here!!! The CD, coproduced with Seth Connelly, features 12 new songs and backing from some amazing musicians, including Mark Erelli, Danielle Miraglia, and Jenee Halstead.  The CD is available at CD Baby (<http://cdbaby.com/cd/markstepakoff2) and can also be downloaded on ITunes.  An official CD release celebration show will be held in January at Club Passim, in a split bill with the wonderful Susan Levine.  Susan and Mark, along with Rob Laurens and Doug Kwartler, will also play in the round at the Passim Campfire over Labor Day weekend.  Check the Gig schedule for details.

NEWSFLASH:
Mark won two(!) First Prizes at the Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival songwriting contest.  "When Vernon Moved From Tupelo" took First Prize in the folk category, while "Cold Blood"  was named the winner in the lyrics category.  This was a fantastic event featuring some very fine songwriters, so it was very gratifying to receive this recognition.

NEWSFLASH: "
Pretty Damn Blue" was named a semi-finalist in the UK Songwriting Contest.  Details at www.songwritingcontest.uk


NEWSFLASH: Mark has been selected as a finalist in the Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival's songwriting contest, and will be performing in the finals in Gatlinburg, Tennessee on August 17.  Details at www.smswf.com 

NEWSFLASH: The accolades for "Cold Blood" keep on coming, as it was just named runner-up in the Nashville Songwriters Association international (NSAI) Song Contest. This contest had a total of two winners and ten runner-ups, meaning that the song placed in the top 12 of approximately 2000 entries in this contest, sponsored by what is probably the world's best known and most highly regarded songwriters trade association.  The song will be included on an upcoming compilation CD featuring these twelve winning selections.

NEWSFLASH:
"Cold Blood" was awarded 1st Prize in this year's Great American Song Contest. This is the second time Mark has won 1st Prize in this contest.  Mark also received an "Outstanding Achievement in Songwriting" award in the Folk/Americana category, while "Pretty Damn Blue" was also select as a finalist.  Details at www.greatamericansong.com

NEWSFLASH:
Mark's new song "Memory Museum" won Honorable Mention in the May/June edition of American Songwriter magazine's lyric contest, the second straight issue in which Mark won an award and the tenth time overall Mark has been recognized in American Songwriter.  Details at  www.americansongwriter.com

NEWSFLASH:
"They're Not Making Love Like That Anymore", a new song of Mark's, recieved Honorable Mention in the March/April edition of American Songwriter magazine's lyric contest, the ninth time Mark has been honored by American Songwriter.  Details at www.americansongwriter.com

2012

2012 was another great year, with Mark winning American Songwriter magazine's first prize for the second time and being selected as a finalist in the USA Songwriting Contest for the fifth time, among a number of other honors.  Mark also did extensive recording in 2012 for his new album, to be released in 2013.

NEWSFLASH:
Mark was selected as a semi-finalist in this year's UK Songwriting Contest (Acoustic & Folk Category).  Details at http://www.musicaid.org/cgi-bin/ukscresultscgi.cgi

NEWSFLASH:
For the fifth time in the last seven years, Mark was named a finalist in the USA Songwriting Competition.  Details at www.songwriting.net

NEWSFLASH:
Mark was named one of four winners of the New Orleans Songwriters Festival Songwriting Contest.  Details at
http://www.nosongfest.com/song-contest

NEWSFLASH: For the third consecutive year, Mark has received honorable mention for the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival Songwriter Showcase.   Hopefully Mark is not turning into the Susan Lucci of folk music . . .  But the honorable mention selectees (not to mention the ten finalists) include some of the finest singer-songwriters around, and it is quite an honor to be placed in their company.  Details at www.bluegrass.com/folks/contests    

NEWSFLASH:
"Cold Blood" was awarded First Prize in American Songwriter magazine's July/August lyric contest.  The issue includes an interview with Mark.  This is the second time Mark has won First Prize in this contest, and the eighth time overall he has won an award from American Songwriter.   Details at www.americansongwriter.com

NEWSFLASH:
  Mark received Honorable Mention (Folk category) in this year's West Coast Songwriters Songwriting Contest.  Details at www.westcoastsongwriters.org

NEWSFLASH:
Mark received four separate awards in this year's Great American Song Contest, the only songwriter to do so.  "Liquor Don't Lie" and "War Movies and Westerns" were named finalists in the Folk/Americana category, while old favorite "High Maintenance Love" won an "Outstanding Achievement in Songwriting" award for finishing in the top five in the Specialty category, and "Sleepin' On The Sofa" was also selected as a finalist in that category.  Details at www.greatamericansong.com.  The nods to "Liquor Don't Lie" and "Sleepin' On The Sofa" bring to eight the number of songs from the Some Assembly Required CD that have garnered awards from national songwriting contests.

NEWSFLASH:
For the second time, Mark has been named a semi-finalist in the International Songwriting Competition.  Details at www.songwritingcompetition.com

NEWSFLASH:
For the second year in a row, Mark has been selected as a top ten winner in the Great Lakes Songwriting Contest.  His murder ballad, "Cold Blood", took ninth place.  Mark is the only repeat winner in this year's contest.  Details at www.greatlakessongwritingcontest.net
  

2011

2011 was another exciting year for Mark.  In addition to several awards, Mark also got to play some great venues for the first time, including the Somerville Armory and Tupelo Music Hall.  2012 promises to be another great year as Mark begins work on a brand new CD. 

NEWSFLASH:
Mark received honorable mention (folk category) in this years' Mid-Atlantic Song Contest.  Details at www.saw.org

NEWSFLASH:
For the second year in a row, Mark received honorable mention in the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival Songwriter Showcase.  Details atwww.bluegrass.com/folks/contests

NEWSFLASH:
For the second time in the last three issues, and the seventh time overall, Mark was recognized in American Songwriter magazine's lyric contest, this time receiving honorable mention in the July/August edition for "Cowboy Dreams", a new song.   Details at www.americansongwriter.com

NEWSFLASH:
Mark received two major honors in this year's Great American Song Contest, results of which were announced on March 31.  "War Movies and Westerns" was named a top 5 selection and earned Mark an "Outstanding Achievement in Songwriting" award.  Meanwhile "Little Black Dress" was a finalist in the folk/acoustic category.   Details at www.greatamericansong.com

NEWSFLASH:
Mark is featured on the cover of the April edition of Metronome magazine.  There's an accompanying interview and article which calls Mark "the songwriter's songwriter" and goes on to rave that Mark's material "makes you stop and ask, How'd he think of that? . . . He seem(s) to be able to say all the things that everyone else [is] trying to say. . . Make it a point to pick up one [of his CDs ] as soon as possible."  Well, apparently there's no accounting for taste . . .

NEWSFLASH: "
When Vernon Moved From Tupelo" received Honorable Mention in the Nashville Songwriters Association International's 2010-11 Song Contest.  It was one of only 22 songs out of over 2,000 entries to receive an award.   Details at www.nashvillesongwriters.com

NEWSFLASH
: "Beer View Mirror", a new song of Mark's, received honorable mention in the March/April edition of American Songwriter magazine's lyric contest, the sixth time Mark has been honored by American Songwriter.  Details at www.americansongwriter.com

NEWSFLASH: "Chevy Biscayne" was selected as one of ten winners of the 2010 Great Lakes Songwriting Contest, announced January 31.  The song finished in eighth place overall.  Details at www.greatlakessongwritingcontest.net

NEWSFLASH
: Mark was runner-up in the Fall 2010 Tennessee Songs Contest.  Details at www.tennesseeconcerts.com



2010

2010 was a great year for Mark, with several more songwriting awards and some fantastic shows (including the Passim Campfire, Johnny D's, opening for Claudia Schmidt and Buskin & Batteau, etc.)

NEWSFLASH
: For the fourth time in the last five years, Mark was selected as a finalist in the USA Songwriting Competition.  Details at www.songwriting.net

NEWSFLASH
: Mark received honorable mention in this year's Rocky Mountain Folks Festival Songwriter Showcase, placing him in some very fine company indeed.  Details at www.bluegrass.com/folks/contests

NEWSFLASH
: "When Vernon Moved From Tupelo" was named a semi-finalist in the International Songwriting Competition.  Details at www.songwritingcompetition.com

NEWSFLASH:
"Worst Kept Secret" was named a finalist (Contemporary Acoustic/Folk category) in this year's Great American Song Contest.  Details at www.greatamericansong.com   This is the sixth song on the Some Assembly Required CD to receive an award from a major songwriting contest.  
 


2009

2009 was a very productive and satisfying year for Mark.  Among the highlights (some of which are summarized below) were the release of a new CD and the great reception it engendered, the opportunity to play some great shows including a CD Release Show at Passim and opening for Steve Forbert, and a host of other songwriting honors.  Looking forward to more exciting events in 2010.

NEWSFLASH: 
In December Mark was selected as a finalist in the USA Songwriting Competition for the third time in the last four years.  Details at www.songwriting.net

Some Assembly Required
was on the national "Folk-DJ" airplay chart for both September and October, and as of December began its fourth month on the Roots Music Report national folk airplay chart.   Thanks to everyone who came out to the official CD Release Show at Club Passim.

On November 6 Mark appeared on New England Cable News' "Coffeehouse" feature.  Click here to see his performance.

NEWSFLASH
: Some Assembly Required was number 33 on the "Folk-DJ' national folk airplay chart for the month of September, and number 27 on the Roots Music Report national folk airplay chart.  Where's Casey Kasem when we need him?

Mark's new CD, Some Assembly Required, is at long last finished!  The CD features 11 new songs, with the legendary Duke Levine on guitar, Paul Kochanski of the Resophonics on bass, and Lorne Entress on drums.  Sean Staples (also of the Resophonics) plays mandolin on the record and Joyce Andersen plays fiddle.  For information on how to order, click on the "Music" tab.  The official CD Release show for Some Assembly Required will be on November 23 at the legendary Club Passim in Harvard Square.  Click on the "Gigs" tab for more details.

NEWSFLASH:
"Little Black Dress", from Some Assembly Required, received Honorable Mention in the July/August American Songwriter magazine lyric contest, the fifth time Mark has been honored by American Songwriter and the fourth song from his upcoming CD to receive a songwriting award.

NEWSFLASH: 
"When Vernon Moved From Tupelo", another track from Some Assembly Required, has received four recent awards.  In November it won Honorable Mention in he Great Lakes Songwriting Contest.  Details at www.greatlakessongs.com.  In May it won Honorable Mention in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest (Folk Category).  Details at www.jlsc.com.   In March it was selected as a finalist in The Great American Song Contest (Contemporary Acoustic/Folk category).  Details at www.greatamericansong.com.   In February it won third prize in the Dallas Songwriters Association 2008 Songwriting Contest (Folk/Americana/Blues category).  The Grand Prize Judge called it "one of the most interesting lyrics I've heard in a long time".  For details see www.dallassongwriters.net. 



2008

2008 was an exciting year for Mark.  Among the highlights, Mark won 1st Prize in the Great American Song Contest, and was selected as a finalist (for the second time) in the USA Songwriting Competition.   Mark was also named runner-up in WUMB's "To Kill A Mockingbird" songwriting contest, leading to his inclusion on a benefit CD featuring performers such as Vance Gilbert, Kate Campbell and Chris Smither.  Additionally, Mark was invited to play Nashville's legendary Bluebird Cafe for the first time.  With the upcoming release of his new CD, 2009 promises to be another banner year.

NEWSFLASH
: General Gao was "Song of The Week" on the October 18 Lost Highway show, the great roots music program on Cambridge's WMBR (88.1 FM).  In the immortal words of ESPN.com's Bill Simmons, now I can die in peace . . .

"Dead Man's Hand", a new song of Mark's, received Honorable Mention in the March/April 2008 American Songwriter magazine lyric contest.  This is the fourth time Mark has been honored by American Songwriter; he has previously been a first place winner and first runner-up, and was interviewed for a "Spotlight" feature in the November/December 2007 issue.



Mark is also the host of the long-running open mike at the Center for Arts in Natick. The open mike is held the first and third Tuesdays of each month.  More info at href="http://www.natickarts.org"><span"> www.natickarts.org.


NEWS
The Longest Night Of The Year, Vol. 2
The Longest Night Of The Year, Vol. 2
New Release of the Week" on WPPM's "The Philly Folk Scene"
 https://aftontickets.com/MarkStepakoff

FP website: https://folkproject.org/mec-events/mark-stepakoff/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/617987300756700