Gary Marks “For Molly’s Sky”
Americana Highways is hosting this premiere of Gary Marks’ song “For Molly’s Sky,” which is a newly releasing bonus track from his new album Crossroads. The album was produced by Gary, engineered by Rick Sanchez; mixed by Rick Sanchez and Gary Marks; and mastered by Bernie Grundman.
“For Molly’s Sky” is Gary on all instruments and lead vocals, and Teresa Trull on harmonies.
We had a brief chat with Gary about the song and the album. The premiere appears just beneath the interview.
Americana Highways: “For Molly’s Sky” feels intimate yet expansive—who or what inspired the song, and how did its meaning evolve from when you first wrote it to how you hear it now on Crossroads?
Gary Marks: In 1984, my best friend’s child became very sick. She was 4. She needed surgery. When I researched the illness, I found out there had been a 25% increase in this kind of tumor in the last ten years, and no one in the medical community or the state or federal government knew why. That child, Molly Skye, inspired the song…. Unfortunately — and I’m glad you are asking this — the meaning of the song has not evolved, or changed in the 30 years since I recorded it, because, as I hear the song and read the lyrics now on Crossroads, I realize that the same negligence and apathy about environmental issues remain, with the current federal government denying most environmental issues even exist.
AH: Crossroads presents your work in chronological order, spanning decades—what did you notice about your own voice, both lyrically and musically, when placing “For Molly’s Sky” within that larger timeline?
GM: At that time — in the mid-80s — inspired by Steve Winwood, Bruce Hornsby, Don Henley, Sting, and Peter Gabriel, among others, I crossed over into a more rock sound. For Molly’s Sky was recorded on an unreleased album during that time, and when I listen to all the tracks now I can see that the transition from rock-jazz to rock was complete. Lyrically, I was focused on politics, searching for my inner spiritual core, higher levels of love and what love really is, which in terms of themes, set the stage for future albums.
By the way, in terms of my literal voice — my vocal on For Molly’s Sky, it sounds particularly present and clear. Because during that time, I was realizing that a certain vocal mic was best for me in any recording situation, and I used it from that album on during all my recording sessions — an AKG C414. I even bought one and take it to recordings now. Additionally, a great recording engineer — Rick Sanchez — recorded me playing For Molly’s Sky. (Engineering credits include: Grace Slick,Tower of Power, Hot Tuna, Elvin Bishop.) It was a great experience for me to work with Rick on so many levels. And the sound he was able to get, even on the basic tracks, was so good, the song was pretty was much mixed and ready for mastering by the end of tracking.
AH: You’ve spent much of your career writing outside the traditional industry system—how does a song like “For Molly’s Sky” reflect that independence, and do you think it would have turned out differently if you’d stayed in the spotlight?
GM: I can’t imagine a major label wanting to touch a song like that in 1986. There was nothing to compare it to on the radio. The lyrics were controversial. The reason I wrote the song was controversial. Publishers wouldn’t touch it. But because I wasn’t part of the industry anymore, I didn’t have to care, and no one was there to talk me out of recording it…. Ironically, a year later, two singers –Teresa Trull and Chris Williamson (Olivia Records) — were looking for songs for their next record, and when Teresa came to my house one day to hear some songs, she heard For Molly’s Sky and asked if they could cover it. The album was Country Blessed. They also covered two other songs from that unreleased album of mine, The Real World.
Thanks very much for chatting with us Gary!
This song speaks from the heart, with soaring honest lyrics and piano to engage your soul.
More details can be found here on his website: https://www.garymarksmusic.com/crossroads-rsd-2026
Enjoy some of our previous coverage here: Video Premiere: Gary Marks “I Guess It Never Stops”