Welcome to Distinguishing Marks Music, a BMI publishing company and home to songwriter Mark Patterson and independent label Distinguishing Marks Records.

Mark Patterson

Mark Patterson has been writing, recording, and producing original music for more than 40 years. Starting as a lyricist, he worked alongside some of the country's best musicians and composers. As he began to compose more of his own music, Mark branched out into country, along with blues, rock, folk and jazz standards. An American Songwriter Pro Member, he is well regarded within the songwriting community and has received several awards for his work, including Best Song and Best Lyrics by the Dallas Songwriters Association, Best Compilation by Songwriter Universe, Outstanding Achievement by the Austin Songwriters Group, and Achievement in Songwriting from the Billboard Annual Songwriting Competition. His songs have made Broadjam Top Ten lists in multiple genres and several have been featured on the radio, including "Step Up", "Indigo", "The Balladeer", "Only An Angel", "Chipped & Cracked" and "When The Fertilizer Hits The Ventilator", which was in heavy rotation for over two years. He recently licensed several tracks to NASCAR, and his song "Bourbon Trail" was licensed by ABC for the hit TV show Criminal Minds, currently streaming on Paramount+ to over 11 million viewers. He continues to write, record and pitch music for TV and film projects as well as third party recording artists.