BIOGRAPHY

The last of four children, his family constantly played a wide variety of music during his formative years and Mark's mother -
herself a fine singer - encouraged everyone in the Tempany household to enjoy and celebrate through music.

By the age of eight, Mark was writing and singing his own songs - a fourth-grade school class became his first audience,
and a high school variety concert his first stage outing as a performer.

After earning a university degree in Environmental Science, Mark entered the Brisbane folk music scene in the early 1990's,
then in 1994 was encouraged by a local promoter to visit the annual Tamworth Country Music Festival.
His success was immediate - winning two major awards at the CCMA National Talent Search -
and Mark was redirected into the Australian country music industry.

Having always seen himself as a songwriter (NOT as a performer), Mark determined that the only way to have his music heard was
to perform it himself - and by late that year his debut album "Stand In The Storm" had been released.

A second album - "Southern Skies" - was released in 1996 and at the same time Mark found himself a Grand Finalist in Australian country music's premier talent search - Star Maker, in Tamworth. By now Mark's music was gaining regular radio play, and National print media coverage.

In 1998 a third album - "Summer Dreams" - was completed and Mark won second prize in the Unisong International Song Contest
which instigated a promotional visit to North America, and later that year a tour through the USA and Europe.

The inspirations & experiences of these overseas developments led to Mark's fourth album - "Far Away" -
a career watershed with it's brilliant production, performances and media success.

With the release of "The Long Highway" in 2003, Mark firmly established himself as one of Australia's finest
independent recording artists as he became a regular on National Network Television and Broadcast radio.

With a reputation for superb live performances, over 15,000 album sales, and multi award-winning & multi media successes all over
Australia and overseas - Mark's unique Australian music has certainly made an impression.

As Mark departed Queensland in 2004 for his new South Australian base with fellow Australian singer, songwriter & performer
(and now his wife, business and music partner) Alison Hams - he had amassed a record ELEVEN QRA Sunnie Award Wins -
with 2003 having seen him also WIN the prestigious Coopers Golden Saddle Award in Sydney.

A 2006 National Australian tour with UK superstar Charlie Landsborough combined with performances alongside
National identities like Kate Ceberano and James Blundell to continue Mark's rise - and in
December 2008 Mark with Alison played to over 35,000 people at Adelaide's "Carols By Candlelight" at Elder Park.

In fact Mark & Alison have primarily combined as a formidable acoustic duo since 2006 -
as well as further expanding through their on-going music business.

In 2007 both Mark and Alison were inducted into the South Australian Country Music Hall Of Fame as part of their integral
contributions to the Riverland CM Festival and associated SA Country Music Awards.

Stormfront Productions now boasts not just the marketing & management of Mark & Alison's professional careers - but also significant achievements in major event management, graphic art, website design, music tuition services and as-of late 2009 topline recording studio facilities.

In 2006 and 2010 Stormfront won a prestigious SA Great!/Advantage SA Regional Arts Award, in 2010 Stormfront's annual major stageshow production "Carols In The Park" won Whyalla's Australia Day "Community Event Of The Year" award, in 2012 the pair won an Australia Day Community Service Award for their work, and in 2013 Mark & Alison received the Country Music SA Industry Award.

Hot on the heels of their very succesful charity release JELLY BABY SONG, Alison and Mark received the
2014 Tamworth Peel Valley LIONS Club Award at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, induction into the
BRAND SOUTH AUSTRALIA HALL OF FAME and Alison was named the 2015 Australia Day CITIZEN OF THE YEAR in Whyalla.

Since 2018 Mark & Alison have also created, sponsored and produced the unique and amazing Whyalla Recording Scholarship to launch the careers of young, regional Original songwriters - this project has already brought 5 Top 10 Singles on the iTunes Australia Charts.

2021-22 saw Mark & Alison WINNING a South Australian Music Award for their Music Education services -
and a welcome return to the Commercial Music Industry via a stunning new CD album - "Out Into The Blue".

As-of early 2024 the "Out Into The Blue" Project has also seen the release of Alison's stunningly
cinematic video clip for "Broken Ground" - entirely produced, and filmed by Ali & Mark in
the spectacular Ikara-Flinders Ranges of South Australia.

CHECK OUT "BROKEN GROUND" HERE!