Marcus Hummon

The son of a career diplomat, singer/songwriter Marcus Hummon spent his formative years traveling the globe; at various times, he lived in areas as far-ranging as Italy, Africa, and the Philippines. After settling in Washington, D.C., as a teen, he began performing with his three sisters in a group named Harmony; following college, in 1984 he moved to Los Angeles to seek a record deal. After months of frustration, he relocated to Nashville in 1986. While quickly finding success on the city's club circuit, a recording contract consistently eluded Hummon and his band, Redwing, for years; his first taste of success came as a songwriter, when Wynonna notched a Top Three hit in 1993 with his "Only Love." The following year, Alabama scored with his "Cheap Seats," and after his songs were also covered by the likes of Hal Ketchum, Patty Loveless, and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Hummon finally debuted with the LP All in Good Time in 1995. ~ Jason Ankeny