International Press Release 2008

Mark from Holland makes National News.

Heemskerk, Netherlands - Radio presenter Mark C. Deren comes from Holland, PA U.S.A. (near Philadelphia). He moved to Holland, Europe 15 years ago. He went to Dutch school, learned the local lingo, and created a famous radio program called "Mark from Holland." The show began on March 5, 1995 with a live performance by former Caravan lead singer Richard Sinclair. A who's who of great musicians was to follow.

Mark learns from the pros; Fred Siebelink (left) and the late Alfred LaGarde (right).

Mark was also interviewed about "how, when and where" he first heard the tragic news of the terrorist attacks on the WTC on 9/11/01.  His picture and story appeared on the front cover of the 9/11/06 edition of the Noordhollands Dagblad (circulation: 150,000).
As a result of the big name interviews, Deren was invited to perform screen tests at John de Mol Productions in Hilversum. One day he was called in to make "voiceovers" in English for the hit television program "Starmakers." He was also featured on page 5 in August 1990 in Holland's largest circulation newspaper "De Telegraaf" (Circulation 850,000).
On November 2-3, 2005, Mark was featured on the Dutch television station RTV Noord-Holland. The five minute segment, which also featured Dutch keyboardist Ruud Jansen, was broadcast 48 times over a 24 hour period.
On March 30, 2006 Mark was interviewed by his hometown "regional" newspaper; "The Bucks County Courier Times."

Mark performs screen tests for Dutch national television.

The popular radio program's main thrust is the so-called "Progressive Rock" but other catchy, well played and quality styles are also welcome. Other interview specials over the years include the late Peter Bardens (Camel) , Andrew Latimer (Camel), Colin Bass (Camel), Hugh Hopper & John Etheridge (Soft Machine), Phil Miller & Pip Pyle (In Cahoots), Anthony Phillips & Steve Hackett (Genesis), John Wetton (King Crimson, UK, Asia), Bill Bruford (Yes, King Crimson), Carl Palmer (ELP), Peter Hammill (Van der Graaf Generator), Thijs van Leer & Jan Akkerman (Focus), Jerney Kaagman (Earth & Fire), Phil Shulman (Gentle Giant), Simon Nicol (Fairport Convention), Rod Clements (Lindisfarne), Ray Fenwick (Spencer Davis Group), Gordon Giltrap, Sharon den Adel (Within Temptation), Martin Orford & John Jowitt (IQ & Jadis), Gary Chandler (Jadis) Clive Nolan (Arena), Nick Clemons (son of Clarence Clemons), Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull), Jean Luc-Ponty, Roger Chapman, David Duhig (Jade Warrior) and many, many more (see interview section).

Mark discusses the Hamburg years with original Beatles drummer Pete Best.

Bands such as The Rabbit's Hat (Stone Premonitions), Tim Burness, Fantasyy Factory, plus a host of local and regional bands have played live in the program. The English band "The Whisky Priests" made a cd called "Live at Radio Heemskerk" during their visit. Interview segments, plus a specially made song for Heemskerk called "This Village" were included. The performance was so beautiful; one lady spectator broke out in tears.

The Whisky Priests from York, England record a live cd on "Mark from Holland"

Earlier in his career, Deren worked in Palm Beach, Florida as business manager and publicist for the world famous American portrait painter Ralph Wolfe Cowan. In this position, he often had to negotiate with famous people, including heads of state! He has travelled extensively on six continents. It is no wonder why he excels at arranging interviews and live performances for the radio, with some of the world's best and most beloved musicians.

In May of 2002, Mark travelled to Moscow to interview the Russian band Romislokus: www.romislokus.com
In October of 2004, he revisted this fine group of musicians and also travelled with them by train to St. Petersburg to meet other highly skilled Russian musicians.

Mark also visited composer Pepe Maina (www.pepemaina.net) in Milan, Italy and singer/keyboardist Parsey Herkkola (www.larkecho.net) in Somero, Finland.
"Mark from Holland" is broadcast every Sunday evening (on a volunteer basis) between 9:00 PM and 11:00 PM to a listener range containing roughly 500,000 people in the Randstad (North Holland). Mark presents the program in amusing, fluent Dutch, except when he's interviewing English-speaking (only) musicians from a variety of countries. International call-ins are a common feature of the program (see contact section). Radio Heemskerk can be found on 104.5 (cable) and 107.4 (ether).

Heemskerk Burgemeester (Mayor) Bernt Schneiders personally congratulates Mark on the ten year anniversary of his program - March 5, 2005. Photo: Peter Dicker.

Summary of program details: Mark from Holland - Sunday Evenings 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM - Radio Heemskerk, Holland 104.5 (cable) and 107.4 (ether). Please publish where possible. Thank you!

Contact: Mark C. Deren
Anna Blamanhof 37 - 1962 HK Heemskerk - the Netherlands
Tel/Fax: ++31-251-246497
Email: mcd@wanadoo.nl