Posted on 2026-08-11

DJ Hairy Larry Presents Mark Sallings Playing Playhouse

https://sbblues.com/2026/08/09/dj-hairy-larry-presents-mark-sallings-playing-playhouse/

Thanks Marty. Today we’re going to hear an original song from a bluesman who lived in Wynne, Arkansas.

Mark Sallings and the Famous Unknowns were the house band at B.B. Kings in Memphis. Mark sang and played harmonica, sax, and keys. I got to know his wife, Sandi and Mark when he was playing at the King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena, Arkansas.

He played all over the area featuring other fine Arkansas musicians including Gerry Moss, Jerry Bone, Tony Spinner, and Jess Hoggard. He also played at Blues Fest. (Ok, now I’m going to have to dig out those tapes for a future podcast.)

He was also a great songwriter with blues hits including “Mighty Oaks”.

He usually fronted a four piece band but on his “Let It Be Known” album he closed with a production number, “Playhouse”, with another guitar, a Hammond B3, and a trumpet.

Featured on the album are

Mark Sallings – Vocals, harmonica, and saxophone
Victor Lukenbaugh – drums
Jerry Bone – bass
Tony Spinner – guitar
Ray Reach – Hammond B3
Jess Hoggard – guitar solo on Playhouse
and
Lester Harris – trumpet on Playhouse

This is going to be a treat!

So now, from his album “Let It Be Known”, here’s Mark Sallings singing “Playhouse”.