Mark Farner - Founder Of Grand Funk Railroad - Writing We're An American Band and Closer To My Home

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In this episode, the legendary founder of Grand Funk Railroad, Mark Farner, joins me for an in-depth look at his latest album, "Closer To My Home," working with Mark Slaughter on the album, the founding of Grand Funk Railroad, the Shea Stadium Show In 1971 (From His Memory), his near-death experience and so much more.

“Closer to My Home” is the long-awaited, new album from legendary guitarist and singer/songwriter Mark Farner. Bridging past and present, the grit of industry and the calloused hard work of a rural man, “Closer to My Home” champions Farner’s multi-faceted artistry. Celebrating the 55th anniversary of the iconic hit “(I’m Your Captain) Closer To My Home” the album is highlighted with a re-record, finding Farner in exactly the same form as 1970.

From the rebellious “Anymore” to the endearing “Darlin” and to the defiant “Same Game” Farner’s journey as one of rock’s statesmen is undeniable. “Façade”, “Friends For Forever”, “Real”, “Tiny Fingers” Farner’s journey has always called him towards love and light. He collaborated with Jim Peterik (The Ides of March, Survivor) on the CD-exclusive “Friends Forever”*. Farner also enlisted the songwriter of multi-platinum rocker Mark Slaughter on “Same Game”; Slaughter produced “Closer to My Home”. Farner is co-producer.

“These songs are honest and from my heart,” Farner said. “The collaboration with Jim (Peterik) and Mark (Slaughter) came from a place of trust and that makes the whole experience so much more rewarding as songwriters. The audience can feel that and these songs reflect those very human moments that you can’t find creating a song from a computer.”

“‘Closer to My Home’ comes from the idea that love is at the heart of all that I do, and music is my home.”

As one of the founding members, lead singer, lead guitarist, and wrote more than 90% of the Grand Funk music catalog, Farner has always been known as the energetic driving force on stage, the engine that pulled the original Grand Funk Railroad to the top of the charts. From his soulful voice and power rock riffs, to fueling the Funk with his atomic stage presence. His story and his imprint on music starts with Flint and since 1969 from his humble beginnings and a blue-collar outlook, Farner has captained a global crusade for love, peace and freedom and became a rock ‘n’ roll icon.

More than 60 years later – he commands the stage with the same intensity performing epic hits that defined a generation – “I’m Your Captain (Closer to Home)”, “Bad Time”, “Some Kind of Wonderful”, “Foot Stompin’ Music”, “Heartbreaker”, “Rock & Roll Soul”, “Locomotion”, “Mean Mistreater” and “We’re An American Band”.

“Closer to My Home” is on Righteous Rock Records and is distributed by MVD Entertainment Group and is available via vinyl and CD.

“Closer to My Home” LP track listing:

Side A
1. “Anymore”
2. “The Prisoner”
3. “Same Game”
4. “Façade”
5. “Oh Darlin’”
Side B
1. “Real”
2. “Surveilling Us”
3. “Tiny Fingers”
4. “I’m Your Captain (Closer To Home)”

The CD version contains the bonus track “Friends Forever”.

Mark Farner’s American Band continues to tour and in celebration of the 55th anniversary of the ground-breaking hit, “I’m Your Captain (Closer To Home)”, the band is coming to a town near you, with additional dates to be announced.

December 5 | Ridgefield Playhouse | Ridgefield, Conn.