Episode 002 — Fly, Fame, and Finding Your Lane with Mark McGrath

Description: A conversation with Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray — from a producer telling him he couldn't sing right before recording the song that would go number one in 18 countries, to hosting Extra, to what keeps him showing up every night with genuine gratitude for a career built on serendipity and surrender. Host: Skip Martin Summary: Mark McGrath has sold 10 million records, hosted Extra, and fronted one of the most recognisable bands of the 90s. In this backstage conversation at the Chelsea Theater in the Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas, he tells the unfiltered story of how Sugar Ray almost didn't happen, why a producer's backhanded compliment saved his career, and what Al Pacino said to him on a red carpet that made him question everything. A conversation about truth, tone, surrender, and why doing what you love is the only retirement plan worth having. Main Topics: How Sugar Ray got signed to Atlantic Records in 1994 and nearly didn't survive their first album The good news/bad news moment before recording Fly — and why Mark surrendered everything to his producer How Fly went number one in 18 countries and sold two million copies The accidental pivot to television — how a meeting turned into hosting Extra Al Pacino on the red carpet and the moment that made Mark recalibrate Why truth hurts — but always leads somewhere better What Skip's mom said about education that stopped everyone in their tracks Why they both agree: they get paid to travel. The shows are free. Intriguing Quotes: "The bad news is you can't sing. The good news is, if you stay in your lane, you have a tone that I think we can sell two million copies with." "At that point I got on my knees and said — tell me what to do." "You're better than that." — Al Pacino to Mark McGrath "I'll die playing Fly three times a night at Denny's in Barstow if I have to." "The measure of an educated man is the places he's been." — Skip Martin's mom Key Moments: [03:35] The studio moment that defined Sugar Ray's career — producer David Kahn tells Mark he can't sing, then tells him exactly how to use what he's got. Mark surrenders completely. Fly goes number one in 18 countries. [07:30] How Mark ended up hosting Extra — he thought he was going to a meeting. Two weeks later he was on air. He stayed from 2004 to 2008. [09:15] Al Pacino walks a red carpet, Mark asks him about Kevin and Brittany. Pacino says "you're better than that" and walks away. Mark never forgot it. [13:30] Skip's mom reframes education — 45-50 countries, more times around the world than he can count. "Some people know a lot about things in their books. You know more about things in the world." Notable Resources: Sugar Ray: www.sugarray.com Mark McGrath's 120 — SiriusXM 90s on 9 Recorded at: Chelsea Theater, The Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas Connect with Mark McGrath: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealmarkmcgrath/ X/Twitter: https://x.com/mark_mcgrath TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@therealmarkmcgrath Connect with Skip Martin: Website: https://www.skipmartinmusic.com/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/skipmartinmusic Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skipmartinmusic/ Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/skipmartinmusic YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/skipmartinmusic Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.