AIRLIE Beach music icon Mark Nicol will launch his highly-anticipated CD, "The Mark Nicol Project - Ocean Deep", this weekend at the Reef Gateway.

A resident in the Whitsundays for more than 30 years, Mark has entertained and wowed crowds at countless shows in duets and bands, but this is his first individual recording.

The album was prompted following Mark's success in last year's Blue on Blue competition as part of the Airlie Beach Festival of Music where he teamed up with fellow long-term local musician, Tony Fossey.

Local musician Kieran McCarthy spoke glowingly of the album and said Mark was an inspiration to his own career.

"Mark was the first musician I met in Airlie Beach 27 years ago... I saw him on stage and I was always impressed with his stage presence and vocal ability," he said.

"[I've] always been a big fan and it was an honour to be asked to be part of the project and there should be a lot of people interested in buying the album not just to benefit Mark, [but because] it's an awesome product.

"Mark has chosen a list of songs that suit him, his interpretation of all the material is spot on. I've played it heaps of times myself now, it's really his top notch."

Mully Freeman performed with Mark for more than 20 years as "Mark and Mully".

Mully said he was looking forward to listening to the CD and described Mark as "very talented and a great bloke".

"We travelled from the Top End to Melbourne as well as New Zealand and had a lot of fun," he said.

Mark's CD can be purchased for $20 from Goodness Gracious in Cannonvale and the Airlie Beach Music Centre as well as at the launch.

All proceeds from the CD will continue to help Mark who is currently battling cancer.

CD launch

What: CD launch "The Mark Nicol Project - Ocean Deep"

Where: Reef Gateway Hotel

When: Friday, March 6 from 4pm

Contact: Tony Fossey 0438 541 653