Mark Ramsey

Bringing Decades of Musical Passion to the Heart of Departure ATX

 

Mark Ramsey is a classically trained multi-instrumentalist, arranger, and educator rooted in Austin's vibrant music scene. He studied Piano, Theory & Composition at the University of Texas, performing drums and keys in high school jazz groups and marching bands before going on to join various Central Texas cover bands for over 40 years. 

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As a founding member of Departure ATX, Mark teamed up with Joel Godson and Jesse Monaghan in 2015 to form the band. His precision on keyboards and rich backing vocals help evoke the full arena-rock sound of Journey and other era-defining artists, performing regularly at major Texas venues like The Oasis on Lake Travis. 

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Outside the band, Mark runs a respected private lesson program across Central Texas—teaching piano, guitar, and drums to students of all ages for over 30 years—and composes and arranges music for worship teams and studio projects. 

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Married to his high-school sweetheart, Mark is proud to be a devoted husband and father of four—and now a grandfather of ten. This deep family devotion mirrors his dedication to musical teaching and performance. 

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Blending classical training, modern production know-how, and stage-honed charisma, Mark brings both technical skill and heartfelt passion to every Departure ATX show—grounding the soaring rock spectacle in authenticity, warmth, and musical excellence.