Mark Bland
Mark Bland (born on April 2, 1976) is an American professional wrestler, television personality and talent manager for several up-and-coming music artists. Currently, Bland appears on the St. Louis, Missouri television program, "Junior Stars" in addition to his work in the music industry.
Professional wrestling
Mark Bland began his wrestling career training in the mid 1990s, debuting for the MMWA-SICW (or South Broadway Wrestling) in 1997. Here, Bland trained under John Blackheart, Gary Jackson, Ron Powers and Keith Smith. He is the only known person in St. Louis wrestling history to debut as a Heavyweight Tag Team Champion (for the MMWA-SICW). Bland eventually cut back from pro wrestling in 2003 due to knee and neck injuries he sustained from training and wrestling.
Bland was also involved in the early development of World Wrestling Entertainment wrestler Randy Orton.
Wrestling facts
Finishing and signature moves
- Freezer Burn (Stunner)
Television career
Bland first appeared on TV in 1997 as a host for a locally syndicated show in St. Louis called “Video Jukebox/Mega Music”. In 2002, he was hired to become the new face of a St. Louis based music video show called "Audaphobia". Bland is currently a judge on the St. Louis television show "Junior Stars" (on the St. Louis CBS affiliate, airing in prime time on Saturday nights). "Junior Stars" is singing competition judged in a similar manor to American Idol. The show is currently filming its second season live on the weekends at Six Flags in St. Louis.
Music industry
In 2003, Bland handeled some public relations projects for Derrty ENT's first artist Murphy Lee and Universal Records release of "Murphy's Law". Murphy Lee is one of Nelly's artists on the label and is one of the St. Lunatics.
In June 2007 Bland created a partnership with music executive Sandy Lal and his Kingpin Entertainment company. Lal is the current manager of the artist Lil Flip and lawyer for Top 40 Billboard (magazine) artist Akon. Bland handles scouting of new music and overlooks certain music projects for Kingpin.
In October of 2007, Mark joined Peachtree Music group who handles the management of Capitol Records artist Dem Franchize Boyz, Koch Records artist C-Side and the management of the group Trillville and Trillville group member "LA". Respectively, Dem Franchize Boyz and Trillville have both had success on the Billboard Magazine urban charts. Trillville hit with "Some Cut" and Franchize Boyz had the hit "Ooh I think they like me" featuring Jermaine Dupri.
Bland is also the US Director for Nordic Talent based in Stockholm, Sweden and works as the PR Director for Untouchable Records. He handles the US management of 1990s music group the Rednex (WellDone/Universal), who sang their way on the Billboard Charts with the song "Cotton-Eyed Joe", Magnus Backlund (Well Done/Universal), Giri (Roasting house), Raw Resse (unsigned), and Todd Sansom (unsigned).
Personal life
He and his wife Angela have no children.