ACTION Duchenne’s longest-serving Trustee, Mark Silverman, has today launched his lock-down inspired album ‘Markin’ Time’.
Taking vocals for the first time, seasoned musician Mark treats the listener to a journey through some of his personal favourite tracks. Featuring new recordings of classic songs by legends David Bowie, Nina Simone, Elton John, Carole King and Leonard Cohen, Mark was inspired to produce this album following his experiences in lockdown.
Shielding in lockdown
Mark’s son, Thomas lives with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a rare muscle-wasting condition, and has shielded throughout the Coronavirus pandemic due to his clinical vulnerability.
In between home working, home schooling and the miracle of Netflix, I reconnected with some of the albums and artists who shaped my own musical tastes. The singer-songwriters who inspired me to pick up the guitar, play the piano, write songs and a stage musical.
Mark Silverman
Throughout home-schooling, health complications and being isolated from family and friends, music has been a safe space for not only Mark and his family, but for many in the Duchenne community.
When people started to meet up with friends and family again, we still had to stay home. So instead of going out, our family had kitchen discos to our favourite tunes! It was like medicine to us, and really good for keeping my son active.
Lynnette Ellison – Marketing & Support Officer | Duchenne Mum
Music is accessible for all
Action Duchenne recognised the importance of music and the role it plays in many peoples’ lives; breaking down accessibility barriers, lifting people up and inspiring positivity and in 2021 launched the podcast ‘Music & Me’. Created and hosted by experienced broadcaster and Action Duchenne Ambassador Jonny Gould. This series amplified the voices of three talented musicians in the Duchenne community; Alex James Kennedy, Sanjeev Mann and Joshua Waywell.
This heartfelt album is a solid example of Marks dedication to changing the lives of those with Duchenne The transition to adulthood is very important as usually once children reach 19 they are left with no guidance, however with this guidance in place it can make the transition less scary.
Alex James Kennedy – rock band front-man, teacher, adult living with Duchenne
Fundraising for UK charity
Over Mark’s 14 years on the Action Duchenne Board of Trustees, he has been instrumental in changing the lives of many children, young people and adults living with Duchenne. From raising thousands of pounds for Action Duchenne, supporting hundreds of families at the Action Duchenne International Conferences, to travelling with his son to deliver a powerful testimony to the FDA in the US in support of ataluren (or Translarna), Mark is a steadfast member of the Board who has made a big impact.
I know how key it is to Action Duchenne to invest in resources for young men as they become young adults. It’s a challenge for so many Duchenne families and marks album, creatively and with Thomas in mind, he is such a perfect focus for this. Mark and Abi are such devoted parents to Thomas and to see him live the fullest possible life is one of the many aspects Action Duchenne inspires, just as Alex James, Sanjeev Mann and Josh Waywell showed me in the podcast, Music and Me with Action Duchenne.
Jonny Gould – broadcaster, Action Duchenne Ambassador
This year is no exception. Mark has already raised nearly £1,000 on JustGiving through his charity album ‘Markin’ Time’. This financial support will help drive Action Duchenne’s transition to adulthood project, a crucial part of the lottery-supported ‘All-through Support’ project.
We are grateful to Mark for his continued support and contribution to Action Duchenne’ work. Every penny you donate to Mark’s fundraising page and every album you purchase will help us run projects for young people and adults, helping them to develop resilience, determination, independence and adaptability.
Florence Boulton – National Director
Action Duchenne are proud to spend 88.7p in every £1 raised on charitable activities (support, research and education) and you can support Mark’s fundraising below.
About the album
Tracks featuring on “Markin’ Time” are
- Heart Of Gold (Neil Young)
- Everybody’s Talkin (Harry Nilsson)
- The Man Who Sold The World (David Bowie)
- You’ve Got A Friend (Carole King)
- Bird On A Wire (Leonard Cohen)
- I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free (Nina Simone)
- Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters (Elton John)
- Junk (Paul McCartney)
- Fire And Rain (James Taylor)
- Both Sides Now (Joni Mitchell)
- With guest featured artist Lady Indiraa
The album sleeve was designed by the legendary Simon Halfon who has worked for Oasis, Paul Weller, George Michael, David Bowie etc.
All proceeds from donations and album purchases will go directly to Action Duchenne
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