Marcel Francois Chagnon (born February 9, 1975), known mononymously as Marcel, is an American country music singer, songwriter, and music video director. Signed to Mercury Nashville Records in 2003, he released his debut album You, Me, and the Windshield that year and charted on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts with the single "Country Rock Star". Five years later, he signed to Lyric Street Records and released the single "I Love This Song", which has also charted. In addition to his recording career, Marcel has directed several music videos, and has written charted singles for Josh Gracin, Trace Adkins, and Jessica Andrews, to whom he is married.
Career Born in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, Marcel was a semi-pro hockey player until signing with Mercury Nashville Records in 2002. For four years prior to this, while waiting for an opportunity, he sang at clubs, bars, and waited tables for extra money.
In 2003, he released his debut album You, Me and the Windshield. The tracks "Country Rock Star" and "Tennessee" from this album were released as singles. After this he returned to writing songs for other artists.
Marcel has co-written two of Josh Gracin's singles: "Nothin' to Lose", which previously appeared on You, Me and the Windshield, and "Favorite State of Mind". Jessica Andrews also released two of his songs as singles: "There's More to Me Than You" and "Everything". Rascal Flatts, LeAnn Rimes, and Big & Rich have also recorded his songs.
In 2008, Marcel signed to Lyric Street Records, releasing his third single, "I Love This Song" that year. When the song failed to reach Top 40, he exited Lyric Street's roster. In February 2009, he signed to the Red Stripe Plane label. He had a cameo in Hannah Montana: The Movie, playing guitar in Billy Ray Cyrus' band. He is also shown in Cyrus' video for "Back to Tennessee".
On February 17, 2009, Marcel released his fourth single, "Believin'", which is also the title track to his second album. The album was released on the Red Stripe Plane label, but neither the album or single charted on any Billboard chart. In June 2010, Marcel released a new single titled "It's Summertime." Later in the year, Marcel began directing music videos for other artists.
Personal life Marcel became engaged to Jessica Andrews in October 2010, and the two were married on November 11, 2011.CMT.com story on 2011 weddings Andrews gave birth to the couple's son on February 6, 2018. They had a daughter in 2022.
Discography
Studio albums Title Album details Peak positions US Country You, Me and the Windshield Release date: May 13, 2003 Label: Mercury Nashville 48 Believin' Release date: January 28, 2009 Label: Red Stripe Plane — "—" denotes releases that did not chart
Singles Year Single Peak positions Album US Country 2002 "Country Rock Star" 46 You, Me and the Windshield 2003 "Tennessee" — 2008 "I Love This Song" 52 align="left" 2009 "Believin'" — ''Believin''' 2010 "It's Summertime" — align="left" "—" denotes releases that did not chart
Music videos Year Video Director 2003 "Tennessee" Shaun Silva 2008 "I Love This Song" Chris Hicky "The Good Life" Marcel 2009 "Believin'"
Music videos directed 32 music videos are currently listed here. Year Video Artist 2008 "The Good Life" Marcel 2009 "Believin'" 2010 "She Won't Be Lonely Long" Clay Walker "Love Is Love Is Love" Anthony Smith "Last Train to Clarksville" The Grascals "You Take Yourself with You" Bo Bice "Tell Me You Get Lonely" Frankie Ballard 2011 "Didn't I" James Wesley "Hunt You Down" JT Hodges "Old School" Chuck Wicks "Lucky Guy" Mockingbird Sun "Got My Country On" Chris Cagle "I'll Be Home for Christmas" Craig Campbell 2012 "A-OK" Neal McCoy "Somethin' 'bout a Sunday" Ira Dean "Sweet Southern Song" Ali Dee "Those Jeans" Ray Scott "On the Outskirts of Town" The Time Jumpers 2013 "Salt Life" Chuck Wicks 2014 "Every Time It Rains" James House "Shut Me Up" Old Dominion "Roll All Night" Whitney Duncan 2015 "Clint Eastwood" Jessie James "Ray Bans" JT Hodges 2016 "He Loves Me" Sarahbeth Taite "Torn" Backroad Anthem "It All Started with a Beer" Frankie Ballard "Tall Boy" CJ Solar "White Picket Fences" Shelley Skidmore "Edge of 18" Steve Dorian "After Midnight" JT Hodges 2017 "Po-Dunk" Kid Rock 2018 "This is It" Scotty McCreery
References
External links Official Site