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==