Mark Madia was born and raised in Evanston, Wyoming, the son of Dave & Patsy Madia. He grew up with two younger brothers and one sister, Tony and Matt & Gina Madia Mazzucola (twins). His biological father, Junior Walton (died, 1990) remarried, and Junior & Joy had two daughters -- Kelly Walton Gardner and Stacey Walton Wallace also Mark's sisters.

Mark attended Clark Elementary School from 1st-6th grade, followed by Evanston Junior High and High School, graduating in 1979. He then attended the University of Wyoming in Laramie and Stevens Henager Business College in Ogden, Utah. Business Management with minors in accounting and "primitive" computer science were areas of study; in retrospect, it should have been broadcast journalism, perhaps with minors in theater, education and psychology.

Mark has worked in many of his family businesses, most notebly, Evanston Motor Company. His grandfather, Mark Elmer, (who Mark is named after) began the dealership, still in the family, in 1946. Performing impressions led to night club disc-jockey jobs, which in turn, has led to a 20 plus year broadcasting career. Spin-offs from radio have come as pleasant surprises, such as mobile dj-ing for parties and events. Always a fan of radio, it's surprising Mark fell into it by accident and that it didn't happen sooner. He has attempted most anything imaginable in small market radio, and has been known as the play-by-play "Voice of the Evanston Red Devils" on KEVA since 1987. When looking to broaden his broadcasting horizons, Mark opted to remain in Wyoming and moved to Casper, Wyoming in 1992, despite some promising opportunities in nearby Salt Lake City, Utah. While in Casper, Mark was an announcer with Magic 94 and "Wyoming's Radio Station," KTWO. He also served as a studio host with the 30 plus station Wyoming Radio Network, produced his own pre-game segments and later traveled as an on-site producer for Wyoming Cowboy football and basketball broadcasts, working alongside broadcasting legends in the Cowboy State like Bob Price, Dave Walsh, Kevin McKinney, George Kay, Tim Ray and the late Rich Bircumshaw for the network.

Mark applied for and was selected to become the executive director for the Evanston Chamber of Commerce in 1995, which prompted his move back to his hometown. He served in that capacity for seven years, a career calling he describes as richly rewarding in terms of professional and personal growth, and one he will always cherish. Mark stepped down from the chamber in 2002, following his community's fun involvement in the 2002 Utah Winter Olympics.

Mark started Grouchy Mark Productions as a voiceover business after leaving the chamber. He had gone back to "work" in radio almost immediately following accepting the chamber position. Because of his radio involvement, many emcee and guest-speaker opportunities began to arise. Mark shied away from anything to do with technology initially, which is almost comical, as he has immersed himself in it over the past 10 years. After learning the basics in audio editing, he began to design websites, initially just his own. Video filming seemed like a natural addition, (as did photography) as many websites incorporate video and most all have images. Those pursuits led to requests for video depositions for attorneys. One new service offered seemingly leads to yet another, and Mark really enjoys the creative pursuits, learning new processes, while enriching his life and the lives of those he freelances for, in entrepreneurial fashion.

Mark started singing at a very early age, and was singing all the verses of "Puff The Magic Dragon" at age 2. He was always involved in choir and drama and pursued those arts along with athletics (football, basketball, baseball, swimming & diving, wrestling, track, golf - attempting everything Evanston offered in the day) and student government while in school. While physical fitness is something Mark strives for, athletics are more casual than competitive these days, but performing as a singer and actor have stayed with him throughout his life. He has sang the National Anthem more times than he can remember at Evanston Red Devil events, ballparks across Wyoming & Utah, numerous times at Wyoming Downs, (where he served as track announcer in the early 90's) and more -- he's pulled off "O Canada" a time or two, as well. He is flattered by the many opportunities to sing that continue to come his way -- weddings, funerals, memorial services, in musicals, with big bands and rock bands. Mark took part as a lead vocalist in at least three Evanston-based bands and continues to sing with musicians he met in the old Whirl Inn days of the early and mid 80's, with a Utah band known as Bone. He couldn't tell you how many different bands he has had the pleasure of taking the stage with.

The acting bug never really left him, either. Mark considers much of his radio career as a form of acting, bring to life that "theater of the mind." After a 10 year hiatus from the stage, Mark began to take some roles with Evanston's Sagebrush Theater and continued while in Casper with the Wyoming Reperatory Theater group. After his chamber career ended, he found he once again had the time to commit to a few Sagebrush Theater productions, most recently as "Freddie" in "My Fair Lady." He lists his role as "Johnny Cantone" in "The 1940's Radio Hour" as his favorite to play. Mark has had some movie auditions, as he was convinced to do so by Utah-based talent agents, whom he partnered with to pursue voice-over auditions. The agency Mark signed with ended up going out of business after 40 years, and he has simply not taken the time to acquire representation, but has it in his plans.

Mark lists music and sports as two of his primary passions.