The band, Runaway Home, is a “homecoming” of sorts. It was founded by four powerhouse singers looking for a road back to the music they grew up on and loved! They met by pure luck and happenstance at a small town venue. In one night around the kitchen table, they discovered the sound they had been starving for. That sound is strong four part harmony over lyrics that matter, wrapped in an acoustic style reminiscent of ‘70’s era radio. You might call them Retro-Commercial –Americana, but Runaway Home is original and hard to box into some fixed label. To listen to them is to know them! Their sound is comfortable, engaging and easily recognizable by those hungry for music with meaning.
Mark Elliott is the troubadour of the group. He has logged countless miles as a solo folk and bluegrass artist. The Oklahoma native was a protégé of the legendary artist Tom Paxton. After opening for him in 1988, Mark found himself relocating to Nashville and signing as a writer with Cherry Lane Music – the first of many Publishing houses. As a commercial country songwriter for Bluewater Music, Maypop Music and Sony ATV Publishing, Mark found Top 40 success with artists such as Chris LeDoux and Neal McCoy. Mark also released 7 albums on his own and continues to write prolifically for his own projects and for other artists.
Gary Culley is the guitar slinger of the group. Initially, he cut his teeth on guitar and songwriting as a student at the acclaimed Berklee College of Music. The Chicago native moved to Nashville in 1991 finding success as a staff writer for Sony-Edisto Music, recorded his own CD and became an integral part of the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Words & Music Program. Gary and Mark connected early on in Nashville and were considered musically to be “twin sons from different mothers.” That kinship led to a successful album and touring career, playing clubs and festivals from coast to coast. The duo went on to win the coveted Kerrville New Folk Award along with many other awards.
Lisa & Teresa McCarter are the angel- voiced twins of the group. They were born and raised in the heart of the Smokey Mountains. These gifted singers bring a vocal blend that cannot be studied or learned. As two-thirds of the Warner Bros. group, The McCarter Sisters, they released two albums and had seven hits, including three top ten singles. Lisa and Teresa grew up on a tour bus, travelling the world with acts such as Randy Travis, Brooks & Dunn and Dolly Parton. They were frequent guests on the Grand Ole Opry and the hit television show Hee-Haw.