Song poet Mark Germino dies

July 8, 2024

Mark Gerino

Critically acclaimed folk-pop artist from Nashville Mark Gerino died on Wednesday (July 3) at the age of 73.

Over the course of his career, Germino released six albums and became a popular nightclub artist in Nashville. Although he never wrote a hit single, his songs were recorded by Hall of Fame artists such as Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, Vince Gill and Emmylou Harris. In 1986, he became the first Nashville artist to release an album on CD as well as vinyl and cassette.

Mark Germino was a North Carolina native who served in the Navy during the Vietnam War. While serving, he was inspired to write poetry after hearing Johnny Cash on the radio. Writing became his therapy as he emotionally processed his war experiences.

When he approached publishers, he was told that his poems read like song lyrics. Friends in his home state agreed and urged him to move to Nashville.

He arrived in Music City in 1974 and began playing guitar. He worked as a truck driver and courier while trying to make it on Music Row. In 1976, he began performing in clubs and quickly caught the attention of fellow songwriters. Paul Craft released Germino’s “Lean on Jesus (Before He Leans on You)” as a single in 1977. John Scott Sherrill brought Germino to his publisher Combine Music in 1981.

Two years later, Loretta Lynn hit the country Top 40 with Germino’s “Breakin’ It.” In 1986, Kathy Mattea and Johnny Cash recorded the songwriter’s “God Ain’t No Stained Glass Window” together. Steve Earle played Germino’s songs “Hardware” and “Rock & Roll at the USO” in his live shows.

Germino overcame his initial shyness on stage and developed into a charming live performer in his own right. His dry, drawled, conversational singing style and his slightly humorous, disheveled, unconventional personality delighted fans at his club appearances.

Talent scout Mary Martin saw one of Germino’s performances at the Bluebird Cafe. She convinced RCA’s New York office to sign him as a pop artist. The label sent him to London to record with Paul Samwell-Smith, known for his work with artists such as Cat Stevens, Carly Simon, Jethro Tull and Paul Simon. This resulted in his debut album in 1986. London Moon and Barnyard Remedieswhich Germino described as “folk ‘n’ roll”.

Critics praised him in the pages of Rolling Stone, Penthouse, Billboard and other releases. At the time, the compact disc was a new technology, so Germino’s album also gained some notoriety through its release on CD. Although the album did well in Europe, it sold poorly in the United States.

Germino tried again in 1987 with Caught red-handed, being ourselvesbut RCA only released it abroad. In the USA, Joe Sun, Sylvia, Bobby Bare, Claire Lynch, Vern Gosdin, John Anderson, The Seldom Scene, Mel McDaniel and a number of artists from independent labels recorded his songs.

In 1991, Germino teamed up with Nashville rock band The Sluggers for an album titled Radar City. It included “Rex Bob Lowenstein,” which became one of his most popular songs in concert. It told the story of a radio DJ who gets fired for playing music he loves instead of what he’s told. Burrito Deluxe recorded the song in 2004.

Germino returned to the studio in 1995 Base and membera folk music excursion. It included his second version of “Rex Bob Lowenstein.” After that, he put music aside to write three novels.

Meanwhile, Confederate Railroad recorded his “Bill’s Laudromat, Bar and Grill” and it was released as a single in 1995. Kenny Chesney released Germino’s “I Will Stand” as a single in 1998. Vince Gill recorded their co-written “Ace Up Your Pretty Sleeve” in 2006. Emmylou Harris recorded “Broken Man’s Lament” in 2008. Kevin Welch, Buddy Mondlock, Barbara Mandrell, Mindy McCready and others included Germino songs on their albums.

The songwriter returned with an album titled Atomic candle holder in 2006, this time under the name Mark Germino & The Grenade Angels. After another period of silence on recordings, he released Midnight Carnival in 2021.

The singer-songwriter’s death was announced online by music journalist Brian Mansfield and on Wikipedia. Funeral details are not yet known at press time.