Born in North Carolina on August 12, 1950, Mark Germino was an acclaimed folk and country singer-songwriter. Initially interested in becoming a poet, he found that singing was easier than reciting his poetry, so he embraced folk music and moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 1974. Before he became a recording artist, he established himself as a songwriter, co-writing Paul Craft’s 1977 country hit “Lean on Jesus (Before he Leans on You)” with Rob Stanley. Working as a truck driver by day, he regularly performed in Nashville clubs whenever he had the chance. Mark Germino signed with RCA Records in 1981 as a songwriter but did not sign a contract as a recording artist for the label until 1986. He released his debut solo album, London Moon and Barnyard Remedies, in 1986 and followed that with Caught in the Act of Being Ourselves a year later. He toughened up his sound and formed Mark Germino and The Sluggers, releasing the album Radartown in 1991. Returning to his solo career, he issued the album Rank and File in 1995. After more than a decade away from the spotlight, Mark Germino - and his new band the Grenade Angels – returned with the album Atomic Candlestick (2006). Another 15 years passed before he released his next solo album, Midnight Carnival (2021). While pursuing his own solo career, Mark Germino co-wrote songs recorded by Emmylou Harris, Kenny Chesney, and Confederate Railroad. Mark Germino died at the age of 73 on July 3, 2024.