Broseley drummer Mark's gig with X Factor star Frankie Cocozza
A budding music star from Shropshire will make his professional debut in London next week when he takes to the stage with former X Factor bad boy Frankie Cocozza.
Drummer Mark Day will be backing Frankie in a show at the O2 Academy in Islington.
Frankie was kicked off the X Factor TV talent show last November for taking cocaine. Next Wednesday's gig could be the start of something big for 23-year-old Mark because if all goes well on the night then Frankie will be taking him and the rest of his band on tour.
Mark, from Broseley, is a former pupil of William Brookes School in Much Wenlock and he went on to study for a BTEC National Diploma in music practice at New College in Telford.
He is currently on the third year of a professional diploma in drums at the Brighton Institute of Modern Music and since October has been a tutor at the Sussex Academy of Music, teaching at schools.
His professional debut will be a sweet and a sour occasion for Mark.
He said: "Unfortunately my auntie died suddenly last week, at the age of only 44. I will be thinking of her and all my family when I play."
Mark said: "I have played at a lot of venues with many bands but this will be my first professional gig. Although it comes at a sad time I am looking forward to it."
Mark lists among his achievements a research project he undertook last year in Music Performance Anxiety and the effects it can have on musicians not only in performance, but overall progression.
