Members in Motion: Mark Collie

Mark Collie      

He’s a country star, singer-songwriter, actor and filmmaker. And now Mark Collie has joined the cast of the critically acclaimed ABC drama Nashville as a guest star.  

In the multi-episode story arc, Collie’s character Frankie is a musical talent and recovering alcoholic. This is how the show’s writers describe Frankie:  

Frankie is rough around the edges, and it shows. Frankie is rock solid in working the program — so much so that being a bar owner poses no problem to his sobriety. After bottoming out 20 years ago and getting sober, Frankie stopped pursuing his dreams of becoming a star and instead focused on helping others make their dreams come true by opening a small performance venue. Of course, Frankie manages to perform there as often as possible, too. But tough economic times are pushing the bar toward bankruptcy … and when a longtime friend steps in with a financial lifeline and a big renovation, jealousy starts to brew and temptation becomes harder to resist.

Keenly aware of how much the show has meant to fellow musician/actors like Charles “Chip” Esten, Collie says, “Both music and acting have been lifelong passions of mine and it’s rare to be able to take part in something where these two worlds intertwine so seamlessly. I’m beyond flattered to be joining the cast of Nashville as a guest star for this role. I look forward to working with such an amazing and talented cast.”

Collie has won over both critics and fans with his raw rockabilly sound, superbly crafted songs and high-energy live show. No stranger to the big and small screens, Collie has also had a successful series of roles in television and film. This includes parts in independent works as well as appearances in big-budget productions like The Punisher, where his musical role as guitar-slinging assassin Harry Heck developed a cult following.  

As a filmmaker, Collie has recently completed The Mountain, a documentary film. What began in 2001 as a day of music for those behind the walls of Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary became a greater calling and a longer road for Collie — a road of revelation, hope and redemption. The Mountain includes Bob Simpson, Janice Simpson and Tammy Collie as executive producers on the project. The film was directed by Ken Mandel and produced by Lisa Freberg and Collie. 

As the “singer-actor” hyphenate becomes more common and the worlds of music and film move closer together, Collie says being a SAG-AFTRA member is a perfect fit. “SAG-AFTRA not only allows me to work different contracts and pursue both music and acting, but they protect me and stand behind me no matter which hat I’m wearing.”