Community spotlight: Mark Chang and Bethanne Crowley
Q: The two of you have been performing on Fort Myers Beach since 1998. Tell us the locations of some of your early gigs around here.
Bethanne:
A: “When we played in ’98 the band name was Crowley’s Alibi. We used to play The Reef back in the day. That was my favorite. Also the Lani Kai.”
Q: What makes Fort Myers Beach a good place to play?
Bethanne:
A: “Fort Myers beach is awesome to play because of the people. They vacation here from all over the world. So they are usually happy. And music and happy go hand in hand.”
Mark:
A: “The tourists. We get to play for people from all over the world. It’s like going on tour without actually leaving our hometown.”
Q: Bethanne, who are your vocal influences?
A: “There are so many. Annie Lennox – she is my favorite female vocalist. I really enjoy Pink, too. However, there is something to be learned from everyone.”
Q: Mark, your guitar influences?
A: “Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Randy Rhoads.”
Q: What characteristics from the two of you make for a good musical match?
Bethanne:
A: “I think we make good musical match because we laugh – a lot. We have been friends for so long. We know each other pretty well.”
Mark:
A: “We are both very open minded, which facilitates our musical creativity.”
Q: What would be the perfect concert for the two of you to attend together? And why?
Bethanne:
A: “I think seeing old-school bands would be cool. Like the Eagles, Aerosmith or Fleetwood Mac. I think they would inspire me/us the most.”
Mark:
A: “Fleetwood Mac. We have similar dynamics.”
Q: So, what’s your comeback when people call out for “Free Bird?”
Bethanne:
A: “The last time someone asked for ‘Free Bird,’ they were young kids on Spring Break. I told them I would play it but they had to tell me who the band was. They didn’t know. So I made them give me $5 and said their homework assignment was to learn three Lynyrd Skynyrd songs.?”
Q: Can people find your music online?
Mark:
A: “We released two CDs and sold all of them. Nothing to brag about – we only replicated 1,000 of each. We are thankful. We are in the process of uploading our music to online retailers.”
Bethanne:
A: “We should be getting our music on Reverb Nation in the next few weeks.”
(Community Spotlight features a resident each week who has an interesting occupation, activity, or story to tell. Please submit subjects you feel are worthy of some recognition to editor John Morton by calling 765-0400, ext. 102, or by email at jmorton@breezenewspapers.com)