Mark Wade

Oregon-grown songwriter Mark Wade picked up a guitar in college. He simply wanted to write lyrics. Seven years later, the album "Project 4" is making its debut. The 10-track album is stripped down to the roots: layered acoustic guitars, raw vocals, easygoing melodies. Wade bears a folk/pop style that somewhat resembles his early singer/songwriter mentors: Jason Mraz, Mat Kearney, Brandon Heath, Matt Wertz, among others. "My goal has always been to write from-the-heart, honest songs like those I grew up with," says Wade. "I see myself playing on a stool before crowds who appreciate organic material." Project 4 is about to spread the stories abroad, beginning Summer 2010.