Marcus Hummon is a renowned, respected, and much-loved songwriter from Nashville, Tennessee. When I learned that he composed an entire album dedicated to the famous American poet Emily Dickinson, I was intrigued.

Born in Washington, D.C., in 1960, he has diverse talents, including composing, scoring films, writing musicals, and releasing his own critically acclaimed albums, always infusing worldly experiences with profound emotional depth. After college, he initially moved to L.A. Still, on the advice of an entertainment attorney, he moved to Nashville in 1986 because he heard it was "exploding."

While Hummon was unsure, his friend advised, "You play guitar and piano, and you write your own lyrics. You're a pure singer-songwriter. That really is what they love in Nashville, and you'll find your way."

His first week in Nashville, he was signed to a "very bad" record deal, but he thought he was the King of Siam. He had no idea what was going on and went through multiple record deals that didn't work out. But along the way, people started recording the songs he wrote. His first number one hit was "Only Love" by Wynonna.

Today, Hummon has a catalog that includes hits like Rascal Flatts' Grammy-winning "Bless The Broken Road," The Chicks' "Cowboy Take Me Away," and Sara Evans' "Born to Fly." Now he has turned his pen toward one of America's most treasured poets.

He explained, "Emily Dickinson's poetry speaks with clarity and resonance to this day. I wanted to interpret her genius through music, to create an experience that honors her lyrical gifts and deep spiritual insight."

The album entitled "Songs for Emily" started as an EP in 2024 and featured collaborations with artists like Mary Chapin Carpenter ("I Dwell in Possibility") and musical interpretations of Dickinson's iconic works, including "Because I Could Not Stop for Death," "Hope Is the Thing with Feathers," "Wild Nights," and more. The full-length Songs for Emily LP was released in late 2025 via 3686 Records, the label founded by Marcus's son, artist Levi Hummon.

Hummon, who regularly writes music for theater and even opera, dove headfirst into the daunting project. He stated, "I wanted to interpret [Emily's] genius through music, to create an experience that honors her lyrical gifts and deep spiritual insight."

Hummon teamed up with country superstar and friend, Sara Evans, for the single, "I Taste A Liquor Never Brewed." The original poem, I Taste a Liquor Never Brewed, is by Emily Dickinson, expressing her love of nature—getting metaphorically 'drunk' on the transcendent beauty of a summer day. He chose this song for Sara because "she communicates joy in a unique way in country music. Her voice brings out the playful yet profound spirit of Emily's words." Their reunion on this track is both heartfelt and poetic.

Evans added, "I was so honored to be a part of Marcus' tribute album to Emily Dickinson's writing. She was such a strong female voice in the world. We all know what it's like to have to be strong at times in our lives. It's why poets like Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton are so important to so many female writers, like me."

Initially, Hummon released "Letter to the World" featuring Darrell Scott. The song further deepens the project's mission to bridge Dickinson's visionary poetry with roots-driven musical storytelling.

Here is an overview of the poems that Hummon used in his album, Songs for Emily.

Ever the creator, Hummon continues writing songs and scores for a variety of projects. Last year, he collaborated with the country girl group, The Castellows, on their hit, "Place to Leave."

Additionally, Hummon co-wrote the current single “Can't Please 'Em All” recorded by the country-roots band, The Band Loula. He even co-stars in the video as a banjo player wading in a stream.

It is a privilege to have gotten a peek behind the curtain at the genius of Marcus Hummon, the artist/songwriter/producer. This member of the Nashville Songwriters' Hall of Fame brings something a little extra to everything he touches. As long as he is on this planet, we will continue to be blessed by whatever project he is working on.

You can follow Marcus Hummon on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and all streaming services.

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Bethany Bowman is a freelance entertainment writer. You can follow her blog, Instagram, and X.