“Guitar phenom, Billy Strings says, “Mark Lavengood is truly a treasure in our lives and his music and positivity shine through the darkness like no other. A great songwriter and a master on the dobro, I am honored to call him my friend.”
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“On “We’ve Come Along,” Mark shows his diversity as a musician and a dobro player. This record has it all. Bluegrass, jams, solo slide performances and more! It’s band centric but the standout slide playing and singing make this a must listen! ”

“Mark Lavengood embodies the enthusiasm needed to take music and listener to new places.”

“Mark is a compelling musician and entertainer. His playing is refined, full of personality, and extremely fun to listen to. Amazing body.”

“Mark Lavengood’s new album, “We’ve Come Along,” is a treasure of great tunes, great tones, killer picking, and good vibes. The real deal. [I] can’t stop listening to it!”

“Paying homage to tradition and blazing a trail all his own, Lavengood’s slide work is both playful and thoughtful. “We’ve Come Along” is an album of honest performances played and sung from the heart. ”

“Lavengood has woven together a sound quilt of friendship and American Roots music that could have only happened in Michigan.”

“Mark’s dynamism as a human and fierce musician shine through completely on We’ve Come Along”

“There is a reason that Mark Lavengood is called “Huggy Bear”. We’ve Come Along is a nearly 40 minute embrace of musical love. From the originals to the covers, Mark invokes feelings of overflowing joy. One listen and you will be dancing up to the next person you see just to give them a big “Huggy Bear” hug! Get on board a go for the ride that is We’ve Come Along.!!”

“It’s like bourbon in your coffee cup, a soft sweet vibration that finds itself taller and taller, chasing round and round, track by track. Its been handed down, for generations, a simple pick on a porch, a I, IV, V everyone knows and vibrates in the deepest, rarest bone in us all. Well know it’s here, this round we’ve been waiting singing. What a swell deal you’ve arranged.”

“It’s rare to see an artist become the personification of their art. But hearing Mark Lavengood’s leg kicking and mouth manipulating licks over the ferociously tight Bluegrass Bonanza! band brings out the same smiles he conjures with the hugs he delivers. His infectious laugh, absolute unpredictability, and yet steady love for those he encounters along the way is heard in each note and lyric. His newest album, We’ve Come Along, is a collage of where he has been and where he is going. The Lavengood ride continues to be worth each mile.”

“Mark Lavengood’s undeniable passion for music is an incredible thing to behold. His superhuman drive is infectious and awe-inspiring. He is a pirate of love - a swashbuckling, slide-slinging, tide-turning old fashioned good time rambling man. He’s the last slick picker standing at the all night Jamboree and the first one up playing sweet gospel with the sun. Thanks, Mark.”

“Dobro player Mark Lavengood is taking the Midwest by storm! His ambition and ability to play a wide variety of styles well makes him one of my favorites!””

“I’ve watched Mark grow immensely as a musician and player over the years. The future of dobro and roots music in Michigan is in good hands.”

“Mark Lavengood is my favorite Midwest dobro player. He’s easy to work with from the first note and remains super tasteful to the last; super talented.””

“Mark Lavengood has carved out a niche in the thriving Michigan music community as an in-demand string player.”

“I really enjoyed listening to Mark Lavengood’s new recording “No Part of Nothin’.” The recording held my interest from the first “Bluegrass Is” track, a sort of “bluegrass word jam” highlighted by some bluesy instrumental vamping, through the original and the traditional tunes and songs, to the final “Bluegrass Is” reprise track. Mark does a fine job of changing the mood (and the keys) throughout this musical voyage and his choice of instrumentation and voices make each track unique. He plays fast, he swings, he plays slow and pretty, he plays gritty – whatever the tune needs, he does. I was pleased to see that he included Bill Monroe tunes interspersed between his originals, seemingly making the point that the music can still grow with a traditional feel. The a capella “I Wanna Sing That Rock and Roll” track is a wonderful surprise, positioned just before the “Bluegrass Is” reprise. That final track is the perfect album closer, as it has a good bluegrassy feel and gives the listener the sense that this has indeed been a musical journey through the ever-expanding world and sound of bluegrass music.”

“Mark Lavengood gets the Dobro. He gets it. He loves it, and it shows. “No Part Of Nothin” evokes a very new, yet familiar feeling in me. Imagine the creativity and sound of a 70‘s Tony Trischka, Tut Taylor, or John Hartford album, but with a modern sensibility. I love the natural feel and soulfulness of this record. Nothing pretentious. A real focus on the music. Not to take any focus off Mark’s real talent on the instrument, as this is also heavily featured. Super solid picking. You can tell he’s playing because he loves the sound, and that’s what makes me really enjoy this record. The Dobro has always been about creativity, and Mark’s wide open spirit shines through in No Part of Nothin’.”