By Brenda McClain

Saturday a new friend called and wanted to drop by — usually I am dressed by 11AM — but this Saturday was the exception. Still in my robe, no makeup, hair not combed, I said sure. Was thrilled she called; met her at the door as I was. Authentic. We had a really good visit, and makeup would have done nothing to make it better.

My journey to live authentically includes several years as publicist for Entertainer Mark Lowry. There is nothing more authentic than working with and for an entertainer. Mark Lowry was no exception. I learned more about myself in those times than working with any other artist I’ve represented.

There are very few entertainers as authentic as Mark Alan Lowry. If you see him on stage, you know what he’s about. Allow for a little history of Mark Lowry’s journey as Singer, Comic, Songwriter, and Story Teller. Keep in mind, it’s Mark Lowry who wrote the lyrics to “Mary, Did You Know.”

It was Beverly Lowry (1934-2013) who encouraged Mark to sing in church. He was four years old. Then, as most mothers, his Momma signed him up for PeeWee ball. “I was not athletic and I had ADHD. It was a disaster waiting to happen.” Mark said. “I was given the job of water boy, and my jersey had the numbers 00 on the back. No, it was not fun at all.”

It was then his Momma discovered Houston’s Musical Theatre. “She made an appointment for me to audition for then-Musical Director, Tommy Tune.” Beverly told Mark before his audition to “Sing like you do for the old people at Church.”

He did, and Tune cast Mark in the role of Winthrop in Music Man. “Winthrop was to sing and dance with the cast, but Mother would not allow me to dance. I was a Baptist, you know.” Mark recalled that Tune kept Mark in the role. “I stood still, singing while the cast danced around me.”

“Tommy told Momma if she would allow me to dance, he would take me to New York for the play, Oliver. “Momma went home and started praying. She prayed and she prayed. A short time later the theatre went bankrupt.”

No more musical theatre in sight, Mark continued to sing at Church and music festivals. It was at the National Quartet Convention he was offered a recording contract. “That contract lasted until my voice changed!”

“So, I returned to school,” Mark continued, “I was so happy to be back with kids my own age I made straight A’s. My comedy was an accident.”

Mark continued singing through college, but his funny stories were saved for his socializing. The stories got such a good reaction from friends, he tried them on the road during his concerts. “Great, funny stories were great fillers when the sound man was changing the tapes!” 

“It’s like putting whipped cream on cornbread.” Mark Lowry, upon being inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame for the second time.

No one on my own journey has made me laugh, think, and create more than Mark Lowry. Mark eventually made it to Broadway, the Beacon Theatre, for his concert “Mark Lowry on Broadway.”

The Beacon and his show at “The Mother Church of Country Music”, the Ryman, are where Mark made the biggest impact on my Authentic Grace. It was at the Ryman from my vantage point that I could see the entire audience. One audience member laughed, and while laughing through the entire show, he would stand up, hit the pew in front of him over and over at every hilarious story Mark told. This fan was enjoying the show, and felt free to be who he was.

Have you ever felt that free? It is a terrific feeling, and with few exceptions I’ve found it thanks to work and friendship with Mark Lowry and a few others.

I wish this for you. Authenticity on your journey. Nothing can take the place of being who you really are, who you and I were meant to be. It is the best thing we can do for ourselves. And if you are inclined, Mark’s newest music is just out. “How We Love” is a don’t miss! Watch and listen to his body of work, because Mark clearly knows how to love in spades.

Brenda McClain is a media consultant and has produced shows with Animal Expert Jack Hanna, created a skincare line with Jennifer O’Neill and developed the PBS series The History of Southern Gospel Music. Recruited by David Foster & Linda Thompson, Brenda produced Randy Travis, Garth Brooks and Kathy Mattea for Desert Storm’s Voices That Care, introduced Gaither Music to National media; She has worked in television, film and publishing, as Special Projects Director for Hoffman Media including Cooking with Paula Deen and Cottage Journal. Today Brenda spends her time with visual artists, as Gallery Director for Art on the Green, a top-drawer Art Gallery in Littleton Park, Conway, Arkansas. Visit Art on the Green and visit Brenda’s Entertainment and Lifestyle blog.