Judge Rules Ex-GRAND FUNK RAILROAD Singer MARK FARNER Can Continue Using MARK FARNER'S AMERICAN BAND Trademark

A federal court in Michigan has denied GRAND FUNK RAILROAD‘s motion for preliminary injunction to stop former singer Mark Farner from using the band name MARK FARNER’S AMERICAN BAND. In a 26-page opinion, the Honorable Gordon J. Quist, United States District Court judge for the Western District of Michigan, found that GRAND FUNK RAILROAD “fails to show a strong likelihood of success that Farner‘s use of MARK FARNER’S AMERICAN BAND creates a likelihood of confusion among consumers.”

“The judge did the right thing,” Farner said. “I’ve got a trademark registration on MARK FARNER’S AMERICAN BAND, and I’ve been using it for two touring seasons. I have never heard that anyone confused my group with GRAND FUNK RAILROAD.”

The ruling on the preliminary injunction motion does not end the case; it will now proceed through the discovery phase.

As one of the founding members, lead singer, lead guitarist, and wrote more than 90 percent of the GRAND FUNK music catalog, Farner has always been known as the energetic driving force on stage, the engine that pulled the original GRAND FUNK RAILROAD to the top of the charts. From his soulful voice and power rock riffs, to fueling the FUNK with his atomic stage presence. His story and his imprint on music starts with Flint and since 1969 from his humble beginnings and a blue-collar outlook, Farner has captained a global crusade for love and freedom and became a rock ‘n’ roll icon.

50 years later, he commands the stage with the same intensity performing epic hits that defined a generation — “I’m Your Captain (Closer to Home)”, “Bad Time”, “Some Kind of Wonderful”, “Foot Stompin’ Music”, “Heartbreaker”, “Locomotion”, “Mean Mistreater” and “We’re An American Band”.

Today, Farner‘s amplifying his remarkable career another full decibel selling more than 30 million records worldwide, including 16 gold and platinum albums. MARK FARNER’S AMERICAN BAND will honor Farner’s golden anniversary in music, as well as shine a spotlight on his legendary contributions to society, in his 2019-2020 50th-anniversary tour.

50-Year Celebration – MARK FARNER’S AMERICAN BAND 2019 tour dates:

March 15 – Boot Barn – Colorado Springs, Colo. *
March 16 – Boot Barn – Colorado Springs, Colo. *
March 22 – The Rose – Pasadena, Calif.**
March 23 – The Canyon – Agoura Hills, Calif.**
March 24 – The Coach House – San Juan Capistrano, Calif.**
April 19 – Capitol Theatre – Flint, Mich.
April 22 – Pima County Fair – Tucson, Ariz.
April 24 – 10th Annual Great Dames – Wilmington, Del.*
May 10 – Teatro Gamaro – Mooca, Brazil
May 11 – Teatro Bom Jeasus – Curitiba, Brazil
May 12 – SOF – Brasilia, Brazil
May 15 – Teatro NET Rio – Copacabana, Brazil
May 17 – Teatro Munipal – Concepcion, Brazil
May 18 – Montecello Grand Casino – San Fransisco De Monstazal, Chile
May 21 – Centro De Convenciones Daniel Alcides Carrion – Miaraflores, Peru
May 22 – Caja Arequipa – Arequipa, Peru
May 24 – Teatro Aula Magna Universidad – Valparaiso, Chile
May 25 – Teatro Caupolican – Santiago, Chile
May 31 – Blast Friday at Ruth Eckerd Hall – Clearwater, Fla.*
June 15 – Historic Everett Theatre – Everett, Wash.
July 13 – White Nights Festival at Ice Palace – St. Petersburg, Russia*
July 19 – Rocking the River – Detroit, Mich.