International Press Release 2023

Mark from Holland in the new studio of Heemskerk FM.

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 30 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 were to follow.

Fred Siebelink (left) and the late Alfred LaGarde (right).

Mark was called upon to make "voiceovers" in English for the hit television program "Starmakers." On August 23, 2000. he was featured on page 5 of Holland's largest circulation newspaper "De Telegraaf" (Circulation 850,000), in regard to his extraordinary meeting with President Sheik Zayed of the United Arab Emirates. 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). 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 newspaper; "The Bucks County Courier Times."

Performing screen tests at John De Mol Productions.

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, Daryl Stuermer, & Chester Thompson (Genesis), John Wetton (King Crimson, UK, Asia), Bill Bruford (Yes, King Crimson), Carl Palmer & Keith Emerson(ELP), Peter Hammill (Van der Graaf Generator), Thijs van Leer & Jan Akkerman (Focus), Jerney Kaagman (Earth & Fire), Phil Shulman, Ray Shulman & Kerry Minnear (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), Jon Anderson (YES), Roger Hodgson (Supertramp), and hundreds more (see interview section). Mark prides himself on broadcasting "high quality" musicians.

Discussing the Hamburg years with original Beatles drummer Pete Best.

Bands such as The Rabbit's Hat (Stone Premonitions), Tim Burness, Fantasyy Factory, The Bintangs, 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 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! It is no wonder why he excels at arranging interviews and live performances for the radio.

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 returned to Russia in 2015 with his Dutch girlfriend Patricia.

Mark has visited composer Pepe Maina in Milan, Italy, singer/keyboardist Parsey Herkkola in Somero, Finland, Genesis Revisited singer Nad Sylvan in Stockholm, Sweden, and the band Echo in Bucharest, Romania to name a few.

Mayor Bernt Schneiders acknowledges the 10-year Anniversary of the program - March 5, 2005. Photo: Peter Dicker.

From 2014 to 2018, Mark took three Rock cruises from Florda to Key West, FL, Nassau, Bahamas, Cozumel, Mexico, and Belize. There, he met up with some of the musicians that he had interviewed.

Contact: Mark C. Deren
Email: mcd@ziggo.nl