Glenn Bydume is a retired Fairfax County Battalion Fire Chief. Music has always been a passion and his album “Late Night Hour,” debuted in October 2014. Photo by Marissa Beale/The Connection
On Oct. 28, retired Fairfax County Battalion Fire Chief, Glenn Bydume, released his debut album, “Late Night Hour.” His success did not come overnight, and he did not even start out with a career in music but, rather, a career in service.
“I’ve worked in every community of Fairfax County,” said Bydume of his career as a firefighter, which spans 28 years.
He started as a firefighter in Tysons Corner in 1985 and worked his way through the ranks. He served as a shift commander in 1995 and 1996 at Station 26 near Annandale.
Before that, he was in the United States Air Force, where, even then, music was a prominent part of who he was. In 1978 he was stationed in Florida and then in Manila, Philippines. One night, Bydume and his friends were at the NCO Club where a Filipino band was playing.
“I asked the band if I could sing for them, and if they liked it could I join them.” Bydume sang “I Wish it Would Rain” by the Temptations and blew the band away, going on to perform from base to base throughout Southeast Asia for nearly three years.
In 1984, he entered the USAF Tops in Blue talent contest as a male vocalist and won first place as a finalist in Tokyo, Japan.
Following his military service, Bydume returned to his hometown in Baltimore, Md., and formed a classic review band with his cousin. They covered music along the East Coast for several years, and performed one of Bydume’s original songs in the national Budweiser Showdown Battle of the Bands, and won first place.
Bydume went on to win first place, individually, in the 93 KYS Coors Light Talent Contest. All this he did part-time while also working as a firefighter, serving as Battalion Chief over Lorton, Springfield, Fort Belvoir, Alexandria and Franconia.
In 2009, he was Battalion Chief of operations and EMS Battalion Chief covering every area in Fairfax County.
As a lead singer for the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Honor Guard, he also sang the National Anthem for, then, Vice President Al Gore at the Democratic National Committee Fundraiser.
Bydume retired from being a firefighter in 2012 and went back to music, full time. In November 2013, he received a contract from Tate Music Group and his R&B album “Late Night Hour” came out in October 2014.
“Live life to the fullest,” said Bydume. His album can be purchased through iTunes or through the Tate Music Group website at http://www.tatemusicgroup.com/. On Nov. 9 he will be featured on the United Kingdom station, 365Soul.com.