The Snohomish County music community lost a valued member on Saturday, Oct. 22, when Mark Hibbert, owner of Whiskey Ridge Recording Studio, suffered a massive coronary and died in his Marysville studio.

Hibbert was a driving force behind the Hometown Hootenanny, the monthly live music show produced by the Red Curtain Foundation for the Arts, and a member of the Hometown Band. As the show's music director, he helped choose songs for each performance, booked guest artists, hosted rehearsals for the band and provided a significant amount of sound equipment for each show.

"Mark had a huge impact on the Hootenanny, as he did on all the projects he embraced," said Red Curtain president Scott B. Randall. "He was passionate about the show, and we were encouraged by his family and close friends to honor his legacy by continuing to present great live music on the Hootenanny."

Jim Barela (aka Jimi Lee), a long-time bandmate and friend of Hibbert's, will join the Hometown Band on rhythm guitar and vocals for the Nov. 18 show, to be presented at the Historic Everett Theatre.

The band is also in the process of selecting a new lead singer, following Jeremy Randall's move out of state. Dan Leal and Marcia Kester will share the lead vocalist spotlight for the November show.

For more information, visit www.hometownhootenanny.com.

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