Mark is known for his powerful, rich tenor voice. He trained as an opera singer before embracing his troubadour roots and logging countless miles as a solo folk and bluegrass artist. The Oklahoma native was a protégé of the legendary singer-songwriter Tom Paxton. After recording his debut album “Common Ground” in 1987, he opened for Paxton.

After studying songwriting under the wing of a master craftsman, Mark found himself relocating to Nashville and signing as a writer with Cherry Lane Music - the first of many publishing houses. He has released six albums and eight singles as a solo artist.

Mark has written for Nashville’s top publishing houses, including Sony-Tree, Maypop, and Bluewater Music. His songs have been recorded by independent and major artists, receiving airplay on radio and TV in the United States and abroad. His songs have hit the  Billboard Top Forty Charts, highlighted by the hit single by Neal McCoy, “Every Man for Himself.” Billboard Magazine called it “a song with rare lyrical and musical edge and the best cut on the album.” Championship rodeo rider and famed singer, Chris LeDoux cut Mark’s song, “Making Ends Meet” on his hit album, “Watcha Gonna Do With A Cowboy.

Winners of the prestigious Kerrville New Folk Award, Runaway Home was formed by Mark Elliott & Gary Culley who have been making music together for over 30 years. Runaway Home has 3 albums out and thousands of road miles under them, playing their rootsy, Americana mix, from small folk rooms to opera houses, grange halls, festivals, and even to the famed Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN.