Obit: Mike Marker (British Columbia)(1951-2021)

Subject: Mike Marker RIP
From: Jon Bartlett
Date: 27 Jan 21 - 06:44 PM

My friend Mike Marker died very recently, and very suddenly. He was one of the founding performers at the Princeton Traditional Music Festival, and one of the most popular. Here is an obituary, passed on to me from his wife Ceci:

R. Michael Marker, known to his many friends as Mike, left this world on January 15, 2021. He was a force of nature, and will be dearly missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and musical co-conspirators.

Mike was born in San Diego to Bob and Jean Marker in 1951. The family relocated to Spokane shortly afterwards, where Mike spent his childhood and young adult life. He cherished time with his grandparents on their farm in the Spokane Valley, growing up with a love of the outdoors and a strong inherited work ethic. Both his mother and grandfather sang and played music. When he was in high school, he saved up his own money for a banjo, and his mother paid for five lessons. Soon he was playing his first gigs at Shakey’s Pizza.

When Expo 74’ came to Spokane, he met Utah Phillips and Larry Hanks. Both became lifelong friends. He was also strongly influenced by his many mentors, including Malvina Reynolds, Pete Seeger, and Michael Cooney. He dedicated the better part of his life to social justice, believing in the power of music as a political and social tool. He toured extensively, also writing and performing songs for countless local protests and community events.

Mike was an incredible performer and storyteller. Throughout his life he continued to improve upon his already impressive musicianship. He was constantly writing new songs and arranging old ones. His gigs at Mama Sunday’s (now the Underground Coffeehouse at WWU) were legendary, and his pajama concerts for the Roeder Home and Bellingham Public Library were beloved across generations.

Mike was an integral part of the Bellingham musical community. He could often be found playing an impromptu gig at one of many local brew pubs or sitting in on a music circle (invited or not). He was a wealth of old songs, and was happy to share the history of all of them. For many years he was music partners with Larry Hanks, and in 2009 they recorded their studio album, The Truth for Certain. Later, Mike performed with his son Nakos under the moniker “Doc and Nak.” Mike was immensely proud of his son’s talent and skill, and it brought him great joy for them to share a stage. Most recently, during the pandemic, he was performing in virtual festivals as far-reaching as Australia.

He is survived by Ceci, his wife of 37 years; his three children, Yonina, Nakos, and Miska; and his brother, Terry.

Nakos has organized a comprehensive archive of Mike’s recordings. They will be available for free, as Mike firmly believed art should be. Contact Nakos at [e-mail]

Due to the pandemic, there are no current plans for a memorial. A public wake will hopefully be held over the summer, as Mike deserves a party as legendary as he was.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Marker (British Columbia)(1951-2021)
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 29 Jan 21 - 08:04 AM

Mike's passing is a great loss to the folk scene in British Columbia. He was the mainstay of many local venues and also performed with his son Nakos. I have added his name to the "In Memoriam" thread and send my condolences to all those who love and miss him. RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Marker (British Columbia)(1951-2021)
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 01 Feb 21 - 10:37 AM

I'm sending Mike back to the top!

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Marker (British Columbia)(1951-2021)
From: GUEST,Bill Walter
Date: 16 Feb 21 - 05:27 PM

Mike and I were best buds at Lewis & Clark High School in Spokane Wa. We spent many a night playing our banjos together. I’ve got a picture,I’m trying to locate, of us playing at a school program.. I never saw ,or, heard from Mike after school. RIP, my friend.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Marker (British Columbia)(1951-2021)
From: GUEST,LarrytheRadioGuy
Date: 16 Feb 21 - 08:47 PM

I'm sorry to hear about Mike's passing, Jon. I did have the pleasure of hearing Mike and Nakos together at a couple of the Princeton Traditional Music Festivals.   I hope you and Rika are doing well.

-Larry Saidman

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Marker (British Columbia)(1951-2021)
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Feb 21 - 09:41 AM

I FIRST MET MIKE IN 1974 WHEN THE LATE JOHN DWYER AND I STARTED THE FIRST OF FOUR YEARS AN FOLK FESTIVALS AT EVERETT COMMUNITY COLLEGE, IN EVERETT, WASHIGNTON. HE MADE A VERY FINE IMPRESSION ON US. AT THAT TIME, I REMEMBER THAT HE LIVED ON CAMANO ISLAND AND WAS BUILDING LAP DULCIMERS.

R.I.P /// BOB(DECKAM)NELSOM

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Marker (British Columbia)(1951-2021)
From: GUEST,Sharyn Dimmick
Date: 16 Feb 22 - 12:44 AM

I did not know Mike, but I am extremely fond of "The Truth for Certain," his album with Larry Hanks. Thanks for the music.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Marker (British Columbia)(1951-2021)
From: GUEST,GUEST Paul Ringo
Date: 03 Nov 23 - 08:07 AM

Hi! I'm new to this forum. I recently joined because I was thinking about Mike Marker. Actually, I got to thinking about Mike because I was listening to Tom Paxton this morning (my wife mentioned the name Lee, and I said “Lee Iococa?”— she said no and laughed— so I had to listen to Paxton’s Chrysler song…) and eventually I went to play Paxton’s This World Goes Round and Round which I have a very joyous memory of Mike playing at Western Washington University Campus in the quad, outside, busking you might say, but it felt like he just really enjoyed getting people to sing, like a real folk singer. I mean it! He was unlike any other.
So I searched on googles to see if he was still around, found a tribute on Mudcat. That’s how I arrived here.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Marker (British Columbia)(1951-2021)
From: GUEST,GUEST Paul Ringo
Date: 03 Nov 23 - 08:07 AM

Hi! I'm new to this forum. I recently joined because I was thinking about Mike Marker. Actually, I got to thinking about Mike because I was listening to Tom Paxton this morning (my wife mentioned the name Lee, and I said “Lee Iococa?”— she said no and laughed— so I had to listen to Paxton’s Chrysler song…) and eventually I went to play Paxton’s This World Goes Round and Round which I have a very joyous memory of Mike playing at Western Washington University Campus in the quad, outside, busking you might say, but it felt like he just really enjoyed getting people to sing, like a real folk singer. I mean it! He was unlike any other.
So I searched on googles to see if he was still around, found a tribute on Mudcat. That’s how I arrived here.