Gary Governale
Nov 11, 2026
He Blinded Me with Science
Many great rock and roll musicians have turned science into song over the years. Elton John’s “Rocket Man.” R.E.M.’s “Feeling Gravity’s Pull.” Pink Floyd’s “Astronomy Domine.” The Church’s “Under the Milky Way.”
But can an authentic scientist create music about the planets, physics, and science around us?
Texas singer-songwriter Mark Winters is leading the charge. Winters is using his science background, coupled with an ever-positive attitude, to bring hopeful music to the masses, with a self-admitted nerdy scientific twist.
After a meteoric late-career rise in the music business, Winters is wrapping up his 2nd full year of North American touring. It’s not often that interesting, unique songwriting comes from an aerospace engineer. Armed with a guitar, obsessive dedication, and eager scientific curiosity, Winters is spreading the message of feel-good positive energy. And that’s backed by science.
Recently, Mark was in town for a show in Baton Rouge, and I had the pleasure of having him stop by my office for a quick chat and photoshoot. We swapped stories, and he shared what really inspires his songwriting these days. It was great to see a different side of the man behind the music—laid-back, genuine, and full of surprises. Read on to hear more about our conversation and what makes Mark tick.
MaM: First things first, Mark, tell me a little bit about where you're from.
Mark: Well, thank you for having me. I was actually born in New Orleans. My dad was born in New Orleans, and my grandpa was born in New Orleans. Each of us were born there, moved away, and somehow found our way back.
It's kind of a funny circumstance because nobody in our family lives in New Orleans at this point. My dad actually sent me a note last night confirming that I was born at Baptist Hospital.
My dad taught at Tulane, and then we moved to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and later to Richmond, Virginia, where he taught pharmacology at the Medical College of Virginia. He eventually decided to become a physician, joined the Air Force to help pay for medical school, and we moved around as an Air Force family.
I ended up in North Texas right at the beginning of high school, and I've been in Texas ever since.
MaM: So you pretty much think of yourself as a Texas musician?
Mark: I think so, yeah. My musical journey really started in Texas. I didn’t do anything musical growing up.
MaM: Tell me a little bit about your musical journey.
Mark: I grew up loving math, science, and athletics. My life was problem-solving, engineering, and sports. I went to Texas A&M and got a degree in aerospace engineering, focusing on computational fluid dynamics. I loved calculus, differential equations, and solving problems. I was designing helicopters and jets. I was doing my thing.
Then, in 2011, I decided I was going to do something musical.
I decided I wanted to learn a song to play for my wife for our anniversary. I put it on my list in January, but May rolled around and I still hadn't done anything. Since our anniversary was coming up, I finally went to a local guitar shop, bought a guitar, and got some help learning a song. (Tesla’s 1991 track “What You Give”)
I surprised my wife by playing it for her at our favorite Italian restaurant.
The connection between us while I was playing was phenomenal. I still get goosebumps thinking about it. It was just this raw, human connection.
My wife would tell you that after that, I became obsessed. Not that I have an obsessive personality!
I didn't really know what I was chasing. Was it her? Was it the restaurant? Was it the guitar? Was it singing? What was that magical feeling?
I started teaching myself guitar and singing, with absolutely no musical experience. Fortunately, we live in a world where you can go to YouTube or TikTok and find just about anything you want to learn. If you want to do something, the information is out there.
MaM: And that started you on the path to writing your own music?
Mark: Somewhere along the journey between 2011 and 2017, I noticed I was changing the words to songs when I sang them. For example, I loved John Mayer's song "Waiting on the World to Change." I always interpreted it as being aware of the world around you and being mindful, but also recognizing that you shouldn't just sit around waiting for things to happen. There's a refrain at the end of the song, and I'd change it to something like, "Let's go make that change.” I'd make little tweaks to personalize the songs and make them my own.
Growing up, my grandma taught me to write poetry and paint. Words have always had a little more meaning to me because of that background. I couldn't sing words I didn't agree with.
Eventually, people would say, "That's not the lyric to that song."
And I'd say, "Well, that's what I wanted to say!"
The response was, "Then write your own song!"
So that's what I decided to do. Of course, I didn't know how to do that either!
MaM: Songwriting can be very technical and challenging.
Mark: It really is. It's kind of strange when you come into something you're passionate about as an adult rather than as a kid.
When you're an adult, you haven't necessarily put in those thousands of hours. My first inclination was that I was going to pick up a guitar and play like John Mayer, Peter Frampton, or Jimi Hendrix. Then you start playing and wonder, "Why don't I sound like that?"
I think the challenge is that I'm so good at my professional career. As an aerospace engineer, I'm used to being competent and knowing what I'm doing. I didn't want to be a beginner at something else. I wanted to be good at music, too. You have to get over yourself and pay your dues.
I also realized there are different approaches to songwriting. Some people have written songs their entire lives. They have an emotional process that leads them in a particular direction, but they might not be able to explain exactly why or how it works.
Then there are people with musical education who understand composition theory and different songwriting processes. They're often more aware of the technical elements and can collaborate with other musicians more easily.
I wanted to become that second kind of songwriter, but I had to learn everything as an adult. The beginning was painful. There was a lot to learn. Then I attended a songwriting retreat with professional artists and writers. I got to see firsthand what a professional could do and how quickly they could do it. I saw how adaptable they were and how they approached collaboration. That became my yardstick. I started thinking, "Okay, I need these skills. I need to understand this process and develop that ability.”
Today, it's a joy. I don't stress about songwriting anymore. I just sit down and write.
MaM: You’ve released four albums in about seven years. How has that process evolved?
Mark: I think the whole album concept is interesting because most streaming platforms are really geared toward single releases. When I started, I was advised to make an album my first release. Looking back, I probably should have released singles leading up to the album, but I was new, and albums are cool, so I went ahead and released one. I learned a lot from that experience.
My latest album, The Science in Me, took a different approach. I released the songs as individual singles, and then they all came together with a focus track for the album release in October.
MaM: Your current tour is called the Good Vibes Highway Tour, and that seems to reflect the overall theme of your music. There's so much negativity in the world, but you've decided to approach things differently. Tell us about that.
Mark: One of the things I've learned is that you shouldn't sing words you don't believe in. That's really about being authentic to myself, and I think that connects directly to my positive perspective.
I was born a positive person. I've had my share of trials and tribulations, just like everybody else, but I'm quick to rebound. I look for the silver lining, find the lesson, and make a plan for moving forward. That's simply part of who I am.
One of my buddies back home, Joe, calls me the "relentlessly positive songwriter.” That's my nature. I've actually had to learn to tone that down in my songwriting because it can become too preachy. You don't want to write a song that basically says, "You're going to be happy, and you're going to like it!"
But positivity is still at the heart of what I do. I write about difficult subjects and sad situations, but I want to explore how I'm coping with them and how I'm finding something positive in the experience. That's what the Good Vibes Highway Tour is about.
I also put a little nerdy twist on the branding because of my science background. My signature merchandise includes the phrase "Think Like a Proton. Shine With Me.” It's a little science, a little positivity, and a reflection of who I am.
MaM: What’s next for you?
Mark: I’ve already booked most of my 2027 tours—spring on the West Coast and fall on the East Coast. For 2028, I’m targeting festivals to collaborate and learn from bigger artists. And I’ll keep sharing positive energy with audiences at every show.
MaM: Excellent. Anything you’d like to add?
Mark: I'm having a great time sharing positive energy with everyone. If I have one request, it's this: Come out to a live show. I make it my mission to add some extra positivity to your life during the performance. I want you to walk out feeling better than when you came in, with a little more positive energy that you can share with the people in your community.
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Winters is wrapping up his 2026 tour and already planning his next adventure, which will take him across the USA and into Canada in 2027. If you haven’t caught one of his live shows yet, you’re missing out—they’re packed with energy, good vibes, and a little Texas charm. His newest album, “The Science in Me,” is available now and really captures his unique sound and upbeat spirit. Definitely worth a listen if you need a pick-me-up or just want to hear some great music from a homegrown Texas talent.
To learn more about Mark Winters:
Acoustic Rock With A Positive Vibe | Mark Winters Music
