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MARK209 Announces the Return of Joe Armstrong

MARK209 Announces the Return of Joe Armstro

(Nashville, TN)  – Joe Armstrong is returning to MARK209 to fill the bass position.

Mark209 Logo

With the return of Jimmy Reno two years ago and now Joe Armstrong, MARK209 is featuring their original lineup.

Mark209 at Creekside 2016

About MARK209:

Mark209 Shares the Stage with Country Music Icon Ronnie Milsap

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – (March 5, 2012) – Gospel music mainstays Mark209 had the distinct privilege of performing onstage with Country music icon Ronnie Milsap at a recent concert event.

At Ronnie Milsap’s request, Mark209 accompanied The Milsap Show to Palmetto, Florida to perform as a part of Bill Bailey’s Winter Gospel Music Convention, the largest winter gospel music festival in the United States.

Mark209 opened for The Milsap Show, and Ronnie asked the quartet to join him on stage to sing some selections, which included “Peace In The Valley” from his gospel CD, Then Sings My Soul.

Ronnie said from stage, “If you’ve got such a quality quartet as Mark209, you just have to do an Elvis song just like he did it.”

The group then backed him on Elvis’ “Love Me.” Also on the evening’s program in Palmetto, Florida were Karen Peck & New River, the Collingsworth Family, and Wilburn & Wilburn.

Dominic Korzecki was in attendance and posted on Ronnie Milsap’s Facebook page: “These guys [Mark209] have to be one of the best Southern Gospel groups I’ve heard since The Stamps.”

Jym Howe of Mark209 states, “We have had people ask us what it is like to sing with Ronnie Milsap and to be honest, Kenny Rogers said it best, ‘There is no greater thrill, and at the same time no greater fear, than singing with Ronnie Milsap.  He is, quite simply, as good as he has to be to be better than the person he is singing with.’  It is an honor to share Ronnie’s stage and a thrill to sing with him.  Each time we have performed with him, his band and crew has actually treated us like we were somebody.” Read more »

Father of Mark209’s Jym Howe Suffers Major Heart Attack

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – (November 14, 2011) – The father of Mark209’s Jym Howe suffered a major heart attack last week. Howe’s father, Tommy Howe, was admitted to the CVICU at Vanderbilt University Hospital at around noon on Tuesday, November 8, 2011.

He was presented with extreme pain in his back between his shoulder blades, which started on Monday (November 7, 2011) at approximately 8:00 p.m.

Jym recounted, “After a restless night, Dad went to work at Vanderbilt University/Chemistry Dept Glassblowing Shop, still with extreme back pain.  After the pain did not subside, he decided to call his doctor who advised him to go to the Emergency Room.  He walked 1/2 mile to the ER. Can you believe that?  After examining him, he was advised that his pulse rate was 40 and dropping fast, and that he was having a heart attack. The ER cardiologist directed the nurses to bring the paddles in case they were needed.  His pulse dropped even further — down to 30.  Further testing showed he was going to need bypass surgery (3 grafts), which was scheduled for Friday at 8:00 a.m.  This would allow his body to rest some before the surgery.  However, after having a severe episode of pain, three nitro pills, and two additional EKGs, the surgery was moved up immediately.  Surgery lasted just under five hours, and he received five grafts instead of three!”

Tommy is recovering well and visiting with family and friends.  He walked his first steps approximately 12 hours after the surgery.  The surgeon said there is very little damage to his heart, and he is expected to be released from the hospital on Tuesday of this week.

Many Southern Gospel fans will remember Tommy filling in for Jake Hess and James Blackwood with the Masters V, for Ed Hill with J.D. Sumner & The Stamps, and filled some dates with Hovie Lister & The Statesmen.

“All our fans sent tons of support to me and prayers up for my family and especially father,” mentioned Jym. “The support shown to my family during this time has been so amazing. We appreciate your continued support and prayers!”

More information will be posted periodically to Mark209’s website at www.mark209.com or on their Facebook at www.facebook.com/MARK209 .

About Mark209

Mark209 is one of the most exciting Gospel quartets touring the country today. The intricate harmonies, detailed arrangements, energy, and versatility place this group in a league of its own. In a time when mediocrity is widely accepted, this group has raised the bar and exceeds everyone’s expectations. The group consists of Jym Howe, Nathaniel Justice, Joe Armstrong, and Jimmy Reno.

The Mystery Men Usher In New Era with Name Change and Re-branding

 
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – (September 14, 2011) – The Mystery Men are excited to usher in a new era for the group with a new name and branding! The group announced their new name today in Louisville, Kentucky during the National Quartet Convention. Fans and industry personnel alike were on hand when the group announced their new name as Mark209!
 
Jym Howe, owner of the group, is excited about this fresh start for Mark209. “We have put a lot of time and prayer into this new name. We appreciate the input from our fans, one of whom gave us this idea for a name.  Mark209 is not only a Biblical reference, but it also has symbolic meaning for the group.”
 
In addition to Howe, Mark209 consists of Nathaniel Justice, Joe Armstrong, and newest member Jimmy Reno.
 
The brand new Mark209 website will be launched later this month. You can find the group on Facebook for the time being at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mark209/237230182980352  .
 
Mark209 will be entering the studio soon to record their debut album under the new name. More information will be released on that at a later date.
 
The group will be giving away a set of four previously released recordings (Grassroots, Blue Collar Gospel, Biblically Correct, and Sing It Again) every week through the end of the year. To be entered into the drawing, text “Mark209” to 90210. When individuals have entered the drawing once, they will be included in every subsequent drawing afterwards.
 
About Mark209
Mark209 is one of the most exciting Gospel quartets touring the country today. The intricate harmonies, detailed arrangements, energy, and versatility place this group in a league of its own. In a time when mediocrity is widely accepted, this group has raised the bar and exceeds everyone’s expectations. The group consists of Jym Howe, Nathaniel Justice, Joe Armstrong, and Jimmy Reno.

Ed Crawford and Jym Howe Announce Retirement of ‘The Mystery Men’ Name

The owners of the name The Mystery Men have decided to retire the name of the popular quartet.

Ed Crawford and Jym Howe have announced that after October 2011, neither owner will use the name The Mystery Men or The Mystery Men Quartet to identify their respective musical groups.

The name ‘The Mystery Men’ has been in use in the gospel music industry since 2002.

The Mystery Men Announce Jimmy Reno as New Baritone

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – (August 8, 2011) – The Mystery Men are proud to announce the addition of Jimmy Reno to the group. Jimmy will fill the baritone position with the group.
 
Jym Howe, lead singer of The Mystery Men said, “The audition process was extensive for The Mystery Men.  We had people who came in from all over the country to audition for the position, even as far away as Los Angeles.  And all the applicants were superb, so the decision was difficult and we refused to rush into anything, asking God to make it obvious who our new baritone should be. Jimmy came to us with the sound we needed and attitude we wanted. As J.D. Sumner told my dad, ‘Singing is only 40% of it’.  So we took Jimmy out with us for several weeks to see how he handled being on the road with us and how our fans liked him.  It has turned out to be a great fit.  The people love him and though he is ‘green’ as new cut grass, he shows willingness to work, and he has a Christ-like spirit.”
 
Jimmy and his wife of 18 years Christa reside in Cleveland, Alabama where they have raised their three children – Kaleb, Kristen, and Aaron. Jimmy has been singing since the age of four and joined his first group, a barbershop quartet, at the age of 18. He has since sang with many of Alabama’s most popular regional groups like Trinity, To the End, and MercyRain. Jimmy has been on the road with the Mystery Men for the last four weeks traveling through Missouri and Florida. Read more »