By Brett Ratner

A sideman's greatest asset is the chameleon-like ability to adapt to a variety of musical genres as well as imitate the signature sounds of other players. On the other hand, a session player has truly reached the top of the profession when he's in demand to add his own signature sound to a recording or live tour.

Mark Townsend is one of those rare players who is in demand both for his eclectic background and for his signature sounds. Armed with an arsenal of Gibson guitars, the veteran of the contemporary Christian scene is equally at home in the studio with Steve Taylor and Grover Levy or on tour with multi-platinum hip-hop group DC Talk (in support of Jesus Freak).

Townsend says he's successful in his work because he's found an identity in his playing. "I've been playing so long that after a while you go through all the phases where you've picked up on all the different kinds of playing and you finally settle into some things that you feel comfortable with and you like," he said. "So I guess what I'm saying is that I try to walk a real fine line between the personality of the playing that I enjoy and what has to be done to duplicate a record. It does require a degree of versatility, but I'm always trying to fudge that line a little bit and get my own thing in when I can."

Townsend stresses the importance of developing an eclectic style. "To be a well-rounded musician, know a lot of different kinds of music," he said. "Training is good to a certain degree, but you have to have a real balance between everything because if you come in with nothing but attitude, there's fifty gazillion guys out there doin' it."

"It all comes around to if you have a background and you understand some classic rock, for example, but you are also familiar with the '80s pop that was around, if you are familiar with blues, if you are familiar with different things, I think that any gig you take, it really helps a lot."

Other things that help, Townsend says, are image, location, the ability to develop relationships and, of course, a good sound. Most of Townsend's tones derive from Gibsons.

"I'm pretty much full-on Gibson these days," he said, noting that his arsenal contains a Firebird, Les Paul, Chet Atkins SST and an ES-335. "Actually on [the new Grover Levy] album, 90% of what I used was my 335," Townsend said. "It sounded great."

Townsend took an unusual path to get into the session player biz, which gave him a little more of creative leeway.

"I was fortunate because when I broke in to the industry, I was actually part of a band that had a very distinctive sound," he said, referring to his former progressive rock band Bash and Code. "From the beginning of my career, I've worked with a persona. Like on Grover Levy's record, I was hired for a particular sounds and a particular idea. Now I was able to do more than what they originally wanted me to do because I've maintained a particular balance."

Attempting to maintain a balance in his musical career, Townsend and fellow DC Talk backup band mates are planning to put out a record. "I always like doing original things," he said. This as yet unnamed group will give Townsend the chance to stretch his songwriting wings as well as stand behind the lead vocal mike.