In the spring of 1975, Mark was in the Air Force, and stationed at Offutt AFB in Omaha Nebraska.  As a Russian linguist there, Mark noted that a division of the Air Force band had it's headquarters there as well.  The 702nd Strategic Air Command Band.  Mark auditioned for, and began performing with the band from time to time.  Having already performed with the band several times, Mark was asked to do a show at the home of General Russell Dougherty, the Commander In Chief of Strategic Air Command.  It was at this engagement, that Mark first met Tennessee Ernie Ford.  The two discussed Mark's future plans, with Mark telling Ernie he wanted to go to Vegas and perform in lounges.  Ford let Mark know that he was thinking too small, and that until Mark wanted to perform for thousands of people at a time, he would not be interested in helping advance his career. This was a wake up call for Mark, and served as motivation for him to get involved in the Air Force Talent show. Competing against 55 other men in the Male Vocalist category, Mark placed first.  As a result of his performance, Mark was selected to tour around the world with Tops In Blue. An entertainment troupe consisting of the talent show winners.  For the next 4 months, the tour traveled the United States, and to 7 European countries.  During the tour, Mark performed for over 150,000 people.

After returning from the tour, Mark transferred into the Air Force Band full time. In the summer of 76, the band was to play for the NBC prime time special "Stars and Stripes" show, hosted by Tennessee Ernie Ford.  At the cast party, Mark again approached Mr. Ford, and let him know he had accomplished what Ford had asked; that he perform for thousands of people.  Letting Ford know that his tour of duty would be up in about a year, Mark asked for Ford's assistance getting a break in the business.  Ernie introduced Mark to his manager Jim Loakes, and they told Mark to call a month before the end of his enlistment.  Mark made the call, and Loakes arranged an audition for him at "The Horn".  The night he auditioned, Mark was selected to perform; a highly unusual event. (The Horn was the famous Los Angeles landmark showcase, and place of discovery for such stars as: Jim Nabors, Jack Jones, Vicki Carr, Ronnie Schell, Tom Dreeson, Gary Schandling, Guy and Ralna, Sammy Shore, Johnny Yune, and Jay Johnson) Mark performed that night, only to be told that there wasn't a full time opening for him.

Mark returned to Las Vegas, and a month later, came back to The Horn determined to get the job. The owner of the club, Ric Ricardi, once again told Mark that there wasn't a spot for him there.  Ricardi did ask Mark to perform again, and later in the evening, changed his mind, and offered him the position of opening the show on Thursday nights. There would be no salary, and if Mark wanted to, he could wait till the end of the evening on the other nights, to sing at closing time. Obviously Mark jumped at the chance, and soon was seen there by the producers of "The Dinah Shore Show", and asked to perform on the program.

From that April day in 1975, and for the rest of his life, Tennessee Ernie Ford played an important role in furthering Mark's career.
His support, and the guidance of his manager Jim Loakes, (who became Mark's manager soon after his move to LA) were responsible for many of the career advancements Mark has enjoyed.