top of page
Image by Jefferson Santos

Artists

mark-nesler pic.jpg

MARK NESLER

Songwriter of "Country On", “Living and Living Well,” "You Look Good in my Shirt,” “Just to See You Smile”​

Mark Nesler comes to us from a long line of legendary Texas writers and artists. He has given us honest, heartfelt country songs in the true spirit and tradition of all the country music greats,  with a continued focus on today’s sound. Nesler’s first notable success was in 1985 when he  landed an Ed Bruce cut “If It Ain’t Love,” a top 20 Billboard hit for 16 weeks; many hits later, he has earned an impressive career with hits that span four decades. 

Nesler was inspired by his father Bobby Nesler who had a passion for performing bluegrass  and traditional country music. Encouraged by his father early on, Nesler began writing and  performing locally as young as 8 years old. This set the stage for Nesler’s career and soon he  set out touring with his band, Texas Tradition. In 1982, they toured the USA backing up the state finalists for the Wrangler Starsearch talent contest, the tour ended with a nationally  televised, CBS special in Nashville. After many years on the road, Nesler landed a major publishing deal with MCA and then began playing guitar for recording artist, Tracy Byrd, who  cut 19 of Nesler’s songs. Nesler continued to evolve as a songwriter and performer while  touring with Byrd. Nesler released an album in 1998, I’m Just That Way, on Nashville!s Asylum label. The album gained him the respect and praise of a legion of fans and music industry  executives. 

Over the years, Nesler!s songwriting talent has taken many artist to the top of the charts, including Tim McGraw who had a six-week #1 single and most played song of the year, with  the Nesler-penned song “Just to See You Smile” on his multi-platinum-selling Everywhere album. George Strait has had two #1 singles with Nesler!s songs, “Go On” and his three-week #1 “Living and Living Well” and the trend continues with Darryl Worley's #1 hit, “I Miss My Friend,” Aaron Tippin’s hit “For You I Will,” Tracy Byrd’s “Heaven In My Woman’s Eyes,” and “Just  Let Me Be In Love.” Billy Currington’s “Why Why Why,” Bucky Covington’s “A Different World,” Joe Nichols’s “It Ain’t No Crime,” and Keith Urban’s smash, “You Look Good In My Shirt.” Mark’s second Billy Currington hit “Let Me Down Easy” reached #1 in 2011, and Josh Turner's “Time Is Love,” became Billboard's most played song of the year in 2012. Nesler also broke new ground when his song “Country Strong” was chosen as the theme song for a feature film starring  Gwyneth Paltrow, and the film’s producers were so impressed with his work, they renamed the  film Country Strong. Nesler’s latest number one is Luke Bryan’s “Country On”.  

Many other well-known artists have recorded Nesler’s songs, including Tammy Wynette, Lee  Greenwood, David Frizzell, Trace Adkins, Mark Chestnut, Rhett Akins, George Jones, Tracy  Lawrence, Mark Wills, Pam Tillis, John Conlee, Trent Willmon, Andy Griggs, Dierks Bentley, Joe Nichols, Randy Travis, Lee Ann Womack, Easton Corbin, Reba MacEntire, Scotty McCreery,  Darius Rucker, Granger Smith, Don Williams, Big and Rich, Randall King, Mo Pitney, Donice  Morace, Clay Walker, George Navarro, Zach Top, Kameron Marlowe, and Luke Bryan… just to  name a few. 

Mark Nesler currently resides in Nashville, where he continues to write as one of Nashville's most successful and respected songwriters and artists.

bottom of page