Marcel Francois Chagnon (born February 9, 1975) is an American country music singer and songwriter known by the singular name Marcel. 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, he has written two singles for Josh Gracin and two for his wife, Jessica Andrews.
Career edit:
Born in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, Marcel was a professional 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" and "Favorite State of Mind", the former of which was a Number One, as well as a single for his girlfriend, Jessica Andrews ("There's More to Me Than You"). 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 the Lyric Street's roster. He did, however, co-write Andrews' 2008 single "Everything", and in February 2009 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."
In 2010, Marcel directed music videos for Clay Walker ("She Won't Be Lonely Long"), Anthony Smith ("Love Is Love Is Love"), The Grascals ("Last Train to Clarksville") and Frankie Ballard ("Tell Me You Get Lonely"). He also co-wrote Trace Adkins' single "This Ain't No Love Song".
Marcel and Andrews became engaged in October 2010 and were married on November 11, 2011.
