Mark Goffeney's Talented Toes Rock in San Diego
This Guitarist Who Plays With His Feet Wins Big Nods in SoCal
Mark Goffeney is a living legend, in his home state of California as well as abroad. Born without arms, Goffeney is no stranger to adversity, but he has never let difficulty stand in his way. He is a gifted musician and activist, with a killer resume and an excellent sense of humor.
The lead singer and guitar player for the band Big Toe, Goffeney can often be found practicing in Balboa Park where he never fails to attract a curious audience. Using his left foot to strum and his right foot for notes and chords, Goffeney plays a diverse array of music including Cat Stevens’ “Wild World” and the Eagles’ “Peaceful Easy Feeling.” But, one of the most popular requests seems to be "Mary Jane's Last Dance" by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. With each new song, Goffeney knows exactly how to add his own flavor to the mix and his performances never cease to entertain the growing crowd.
Music and Activism
A musician since childhood, Goffeney began by playing the trombone, but later gave up that instrument in favor of the guitar. Receiving guitar instruction from a family friend, Goffeney soon demonstrated profound skill and ability while playing with his feet. Since those days, he has gone on to perform in numerous venues in both the US and Europe and has even worked with Steve Dudas, the former producer for Aerosmith, Ozzy Osbourne, and Ringo Starr.
In addition to his musical ability and impressive resume, Goffeney is an ardent activist. He has spoken all over the country, relaying his experiences and advocating for the rights of people with disabilities. In fact, some of his earliest concerts were playing for the March of Dimes telethons. But, Goffeney doesn’t need to do anything out of the ordinary to be an example and a role model; in fact, many of the things he does are quite typical: he drives a car, plays basketball, performs on-stage, and is a father of three. It is the way he does those things that makes him extraordinary.
Although he acknowledges that sometimes people are unsure of how to react to him and can be rude, especially when he picks up a fork with his toes in a restaurant or is pulled over by a police officer for a traffic stop, Goffeney seems to have a remarkable attitude when dealing with such encounters. He appears very comfortable in his own skin and simply proceeds to go about his business. When people in the park whisper awkwardly to their friends or stare at Goffeney, he shrugs it off with a joke and continues taking requests. With his friendly demeanor, Goffeney is able to diffuse awkward tension and can make whole groups of strangers feel right at home. It’s not usual to see large groups of people gathered around Goffeney as he plays, looking on admiringly and filling his guitar case with tips as they rock out.
Making His Mark
And, rock Goffeney does. Like Tony Melendez, the Nicaraguan American guitar player who made a name for himself by playing guitar with his feet in the Toe Jam Band, Goffeney certainly continues to make an impression, both locally and internationally. So, as the summer heats up, we can only hope that we’re bound to see more of Mark Goffeney out and about in the park, playing his homage to Tom Petty and inspiring everyone around him to tap their feet in unison with the beat.
