Mark Wood is perhaps best known around town as an electric-violin virtuoso who also happens to be an Emmy-winning composer, recording artist and instrument maker. Now the Port Washington native can add a new category: reality show guest.
Wood appears on Tuesday night on A&E's "Growing Up Twisted," a reality show highlighting the family life of Dee Snider, the frontman for the heavy metal band, Twisted Sister. On Tuesday, the network will run two back-to-back episodes, with the second one, "Baptism by Snider," featuring Wood. The shows will air at 10 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
Snider has earned the reputation on Long Island as a rocker with a heart. As the national spokesman for March of Dimes Bikers for Babies, Snider has spent the last decade fundraising to fight against premature birth and birth defects.
Wood and Snider have had a longtime friendship, both personally and professionally. So when Snider invited Wood to play his Viper -- one of Wood's hand-crafted electric violins -- at his granddaughter's christening, Wood immediately agreed. The performance will air on Tuesday, with Wood accompanying Snider's son Jesse Blaze in the song "Go With Me," written by the younger Snider.
Wood's wife, vocalist Laura Kaye, also makes an appearance on the episode.
