Mark Avsec
Encyclopedia
Mark Avsec is an American
rock
keyboardist / songwriter / producer, and most recently (since 1995) copyright lawyer who is best known for being a member of Donnie Iris & the Cruisers
since 1979. Avsec co-founded this band, wrote or co-wrote all of the band's music, was its sole lyricist, and produced all of its albums.
Mark Avsec joined the band Wild Cherry
immediately following the recording of the disco hit, "Play That Funky Music
" (1976). He was brought in as a session keyboardist for two tracks on the band's debut album, and was then asked to join the group. He also toured with the band, performing "Play That Funky Music" at the 1976 Grammy Awards. During this period, he befriended Donnie Iris
, with whom he composed Donnie Iris & The Cruisers' hits "Ah! Leah!
" (#19 Billboard Mainstream Rock) and "Love Is Like a Rock
" (#9 Billboard Mainstream Rock).
In 1980, Avsec wrote and produced the debut album for the band LaFlavour which garnered the hit single "Mandolay," climbing to number 7 on Billboard's Disco Chart. Avsec later released "Mandolay" himself under the artist name Art Attack. By the time Avsec composed LaFlavour's follow-up album, the band's label, MCA, had decided to change the band's name to "Fair Warning," due to interest in disco music tapering off. The leadoff Fair Warning single composed by Avsec was called "She Don't Know Me
," which was taken by MCA from the Fair Warning debut album and given to New Jersey's Bon Jovi
, who were preparing their debut album for PolyGram's Mercury label. The label felt Bon Jovi
needed the song as a single, making Mark Avsec one of the only outside songwriters ever to compose a song released by Bon Jovi. Avsec has played with other musicians such as Mason Ruffner and The James Gang
featuring Joe Walsh, Jimmy Fox, and Dale Peters.
In addition to Donnie Iris & the Cruisers
, Wild Cherry
, and James Gang, Avsec was a member of the Cleveland, OH band Breathless. He has also released material in collaboration with fellow Donnie Iris and the Cruisers member Kevin Valentine
under the pseudonym Cellarful of Noise
.
In 2010, "Angel Love (Come For Me)," a song Avsec co-wrote with Mason Ruffner and Alan Greene, was included on Carlos Santana's Supernatural (Legacy Edition) album.
Avsec decided to become a lawyer because he was sued frivolously for the song "Ah! Leah!" He won the lawsuit but lost all of the royalties defending himself. Today Mark has a very successful practice specializing in intellectual property law based in Cleveland, Ohio, having graduated from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in 1994 magna cum laude.
Avsec focuses his practice on entertainment, copyright, trademark, and e-business matters, including copyright and trademark litigation, privacy law compliance, and the provision of strategic counseling and contract preparation services for various types of entertainment and media companies. He regularly advises clients regarding copyright and trademark infringement, and is involved in trademark preparation and prosecution on behalf of his firm’s clients. Since 2003, Avsec has taught "Law Of The Music Industry" at Case Western Reserve University School of Law.
According to the law firm's website, Avsec has negotiated agreements that involve music-related intellectual property. These include record label agreements, music publishing agreements, personal management agreements, and all aspects of music licensing. Further, he represents music publishing businesses which are either seeking to sell music catalog or are seeking growth through catalog acquisition.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
keyboardist / songwriter / producer, and most recently (since 1995) copyright lawyer who is best known for being a member of Donnie Iris & the Cruisers
Donnie Iris
Donnie Iris is an American rock musician known for his work with The Jaggerz and Wild Cherry during the 1970s, and for his solo albums during the 1980s...
since 1979. Avsec co-founded this band, wrote or co-wrote all of the band's music, was its sole lyricist, and produced all of its albums.
Mark Avsec joined the band Wild Cherry
Wild Cherry (band)
Wild Cherry was a funk/rock band best known for their funk song "Play That Funky Music".-History:Rob Parissi was raised in the steel mill town of Mingo Junction, Ohio. Parissi graduated from Mingo High School in 1968. Rob formed the band Wild Cherry in 1970 in Steubenville, Ohio, one mile north of...
immediately following the recording of the disco hit, "Play That Funky Music
Play That Funky Music
"Play That Funky Music" is a funk song written by Robert Parissi and recorded by the band Wild Cherry. The performers on the classic recording included the members of the band at the time: lead singer Parissi, guitarist Bryan Bassett, bassist Allen Wentz, and drummer Ron Beitle, with session horn...
" (1976). He was brought in as a session keyboardist for two tracks on the band's debut album, and was then asked to join the group. He also toured with the band, performing "Play That Funky Music" at the 1976 Grammy Awards. During this period, he befriended Donnie Iris
Donnie Iris
Donnie Iris is an American rock musician known for his work with The Jaggerz and Wild Cherry during the 1970s, and for his solo albums during the 1980s...
, with whom he composed Donnie Iris & The Cruisers' hits "Ah! Leah!
Ah! Leah!
"Ah! Leah!" is a song by American rock musician Donnie Iris from his 1980 album Back on the Streets. The song was released as a single in late-1980 and reached #29 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and #19 on the U.S...
" (#19 Billboard Mainstream Rock) and "Love Is Like a Rock
Love is Like a Rock
"Love Is Like a Rock" is a song by American rock musician Donnie Iris from his 1981 album King Cool. The song was released as a single and reached #37 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and #9 on the U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart...
" (#9 Billboard Mainstream Rock).
In 1980, Avsec wrote and produced the debut album for the band LaFlavour which garnered the hit single "Mandolay," climbing to number 7 on Billboard's Disco Chart. Avsec later released "Mandolay" himself under the artist name Art Attack. By the time Avsec composed LaFlavour's follow-up album, the band's label, MCA, had decided to change the band's name to "Fair Warning," due to interest in disco music tapering off. The leadoff Fair Warning single composed by Avsec was called "She Don't Know Me
She Don't Know Me
"She Don't Know Me" is the second single from American rock band Bon Jovi's debut album, Bon Jovi. It was written by Mark Avsec and charted at #48 on the Billboard Hot 100....
," which was taken by MCA from the Fair Warning debut album and given to New Jersey's Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...
, who were preparing their debut album for PolyGram's Mercury label. The label felt Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...
needed the song as a single, making Mark Avsec one of the only outside songwriters ever to compose a song released by Bon Jovi. Avsec has played with other musicians such as Mason Ruffner and The James Gang
James Gang
The James Gang was a rock band formed in Cleveland, Ohio in 1966. Though the band was not a huge commercial success, except in the Northeast Ohio area, the fame garnered by guitarist Joe Walsh has since made the group more notable.- History :...
featuring Joe Walsh, Jimmy Fox, and Dale Peters.
In addition to Donnie Iris & the Cruisers
Donnie Iris
Donnie Iris is an American rock musician known for his work with The Jaggerz and Wild Cherry during the 1970s, and for his solo albums during the 1980s...
, Wild Cherry
Wild Cherry (band)
Wild Cherry was a funk/rock band best known for their funk song "Play That Funky Music".-History:Rob Parissi was raised in the steel mill town of Mingo Junction, Ohio. Parissi graduated from Mingo High School in 1968. Rob formed the band Wild Cherry in 1970 in Steubenville, Ohio, one mile north of...
, and James Gang, Avsec was a member of the Cleveland, OH band Breathless. He has also released material in collaboration with fellow Donnie Iris and the Cruisers member Kevin Valentine
Kevin Valentine
Kevin Valentine is an American rock drummer who is best known for being a member of Donnie Iris and the Cruisers. Valentine played drums on all of the band's early albums during the 1980s....
under the pseudonym Cellarful of Noise
Cellarful of Noise
Cellarful of Noise was a 1980s rock band featuring Mark Avsec and Kevin Valentine, both members of Donnie Iris and the Cruisers. They released two albums...
.
In 2010, "Angel Love (Come For Me)," a song Avsec co-wrote with Mason Ruffner and Alan Greene, was included on Carlos Santana's Supernatural (Legacy Edition) album.
Avsec decided to become a lawyer because he was sued frivolously for the song "Ah! Leah!" He won the lawsuit but lost all of the royalties defending himself. Today Mark has a very successful practice specializing in intellectual property law based in Cleveland, Ohio, having graduated from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in 1994 magna cum laude.
Avsec focuses his practice on entertainment, copyright, trademark, and e-business matters, including copyright and trademark litigation, privacy law compliance, and the provision of strategic counseling and contract preparation services for various types of entertainment and media companies. He regularly advises clients regarding copyright and trademark infringement, and is involved in trademark preparation and prosecution on behalf of his firm’s clients. Since 2003, Avsec has taught "Law Of The Music Industry" at Case Western Reserve University School of Law.
According to the law firm's website, Avsec has negotiated agreements that involve music-related intellectual property. These include record label agreements, music publishing agreements, personal management agreements, and all aspects of music licensing. Further, he represents music publishing businesses which are either seeking to sell music catalog or are seeking growth through catalog acquisition.