In 1966, a group of friends formed a musical band and called themselves The Stepin Stones.  They were all from Pike County, Kentucky.  Original members were Martin “Mark” Slone on Vocals, Lead Guitar, Harmonica and Piano; Tommy Chaffin on Saxophone and Organ; Freddie Gilpin on Drums and Vocals; Don Bevins on Vocals and Organ; and Scott Fleming on Bass Guitar and Vocals.   Occasionally, Jack “The Ripper” Hopkins would play Conga Drums and assist with Vocals. 

The first year that these original members were together, they played some local shows, school events and performed periodically at The Country Club, a night club in Haysi, Virginia.  

In 1967, Mark Slone left the band for approximately a year to play some road shows.  During this time, Darrel Mullins joined the band on Lead Guitar, Harmonica and Vocals.  

In 1968, Darrel Mullins left the band to pursue his education and his career as a lawyer.  At this time, Slone rejoined the group, becoming the group leader, where he has remained for well over 50 years.

In the late 1960’s the band played at two nightclubs in Williamson, West Virginia – Top Hat Club and Top of The Stairs Club. 

In the early 1970’s the only two original group members remaining were Mark Slone and Freddie Gilpin.  The others had left the group to pursue their education and careers.  Ronnie Bunch, and later, James “Tookie” Fields were used as Bass guitar players, along with other musicians, from time to time.  Some of the other musicians were very helpful to the group and played for several years.  Some of these musicians are as follows:  Eddie Johnson and Steve Johnson on Bass Guitar and Vocals; Robert Hall on Lead and Rhythm Guitar; Teddy Critchfield on Bass Guitar and Vocals; Ronnie Owens on Drums; Dwayne Deel on Piano and Organ; Rick Salyers on Drums; Gary Elswick on Bass Guitar and Vocals; Howard Keel on Drums; Gary Fields on Drums and Vocals; Mitchell Bentley on Bass Guitar and Vocals; Mark Pleasant on Drums; Carlos McCown on Drums and Vocals; Dick Matney on Bass Guitar and Vocals and Scotty Wright on Drums.

Special recognition and appreciation goes to the following musicians, who all played 25 years or more with the band:  Darrel Mullins, Gary Fields and Gary Elswick.

The band was influenced by music from recording artists such as The Rolling Stones, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Animals, Creedance Clearwater Revival, Bad Company, Merle Haggard and others. 

In the 1970’s and 1980’s, the performance dates for the group increased greatly with bookings at The Hilltop Inn, Pink Room, Haysi Moose Lodge, numerous dances for the Shriners at Hillbilly Days, dances at the Pikeville Masonic Lodge, dances for Pikeville Chamber of Commerce and many dances at Robinson Creek Elementary School.  At one time, the band played several shows to raise money for the school, due to the principal taking all the school’s operation money and leaving the area.  The band also played many shows at The Acapulco Club in Bradshaw, West Virginia and at The Ponderosa Club in Marrowbone, Kentucky.  The band was fortunate enough to play numerous shows sponsored by Mike Johnson’s Drive In in Neon, Kentucky and at the Hemphill Community Center. Mike Johnson was a cousin to Mark Slone and a devoted fan of the band.  

In 1974, the band’s name was changed from The Stepin Stones to Mark Slone and The Stepin Stones, due to Slone owning two thirds of all sound equipment and doing all the booking dates for the band.

The band recorded and released three 45 RPM records, that received lots of air play on local radio stations.  “Love Is the Real Thing” was released in 1968.  “Hard Loving Man” was released in 1975.  Both songs were written and sung by Mark Slone.  “Natural Born Man” was released in the mid 1980’s.   Many heartfelt thanks are given to the numerous radio stations that played all the band’s records throughout the years.

In the 1980’s and 90’s the band continued to play in nightclubs in the Kentucky and Virginia area.

In the mid 1980’s, Mark Slone traveled to Nashville, Tennessee and recorded four original songs, which were produced by his good friend, Little David Wilkins.  Two of these songs were released on a 45 RPM record.  The two songs were “Three Feet Off the Floor”, which was written by Little David Wilkins, and “Last Night’s Lovin”, which was written by Mark Slone. 

In the early 1990’s the band began to do an Annual Reunion Show each year.  This show gave the out of state band members the opportunity to reunite with old friends and former band mates.  

Throughout the years, the band was the opening act for many professional music artists.  Some of these acts were:  Del Reeves, Tom T. Hall, Mel Street, Ken Mellons, Gary Stewart, The Drifters, Billy Joe Royal and Little David Wilkins.  

The group also performed on the following television stations:  WYMT in Hazard, Kentucky, WJHL in Johnson City, Tennessee and WPRG in Harold, Kentucky.

Martin “Mark” Slone and The Stepin Stones were officially recognized for their contributions to the music scene of Pike County, Kentucky on September 18, 2018, with two posted highway signs on KY Hwy 122 at Robinson Creek, Kentucky.  The signs were authorized by an official Resolution, signed by William “Bill” Deskins, Pike County Judge Executive, Howard Keith Hall, Pike County Attorney and all six county magistrates.  Martin “Mark” Slone and The Stepin Stones are honored by this display of recognition and highly appreciate all those concerned.

Heartfelt thanks to our many fans and friends, who have supported the band throughout 50+ years of playing music.

Musically Yours,

Martin “Mark” Slone

All content and contributions of this post are courtesy of Martin “Mark” Slone.