Edwin McCain, Musician, Expresses Joy: 'Such a Great Life'
In the heart of Greenville, South Carolina, a young Edwin McCain's musical journey began when he joined a church choir at the age of eight. This early introduction to music would set the stage for a career that would take him to the heights of success.
Growing up, McCain was heavily influenced by his uncle's playing of eastern Appalachian folk music, the predecessor to bluegrass. This rootsy sound would later find its way into his own music, giving it a unique and authentic flavour.
By ten, McCain was gifted an acoustic guitar, and by high school, he had dreams of a career in music. However, these dreams took a backseat as he drifted away from his musical aspirations.
It wasn't until a Hail Mary moment, inspired by a heartbreaking break-up, that McCain penned his most famous song, 'I'll Be.' The song was initially released on three radio stations in Alabama and Mississippi, with the label telling McCain, 'it's going to have to do something, or we're done with you.'
Little did they know, 'I'll Be' was about to make waves. The sales of the song skyrocketed, going from 1,500 a week to 19,000, leading to the song reaching #5 on the Billboard chart. This unexpected success caught the attention of record labels, who started showing interest in McCain and his band.
The success of Dave Matthews and Hootie & the Blowfish opened up the next level of McCain's music career. With their rise to fame, the Southern rock scene was on the rise, and McCain was right in the thick of it.
McCain continued a grueling pace on the road, playing 200-plus shows a year, and living in hotels during breaks, including the Doubletree in Atlanta. Despite the challenges, McCain remained dedicated to his craft, struggling with the songwriting process at times, feeling both elated and hopeless.
His inspiration for his songs can be random and sometimes comes from overhearing a turn of phrase. This unpredictable creative process has resulted in a diverse repertoire that continues to resonate with audiences.
Today, McCain still loves playing music for a living and considers The Birchmere the gold standard of the songwriter experience. On March 8, he will bring his repertoire to The Birchmere, and ticket information can be found here.
Despite his fame, McCain still has a soft spot for his home state of South Carolina, having played his first concerts there before he became famous. He attended college for one semester but hated it and instead pursued a music career, playing 10 gigs a week in a resort town in Hilton Head Island.
When not on stage, McCain considers hotels the worst part of touring and prefers to listen to the NFL Network or AC/DC's 'Back in Black' during his down time. But when it comes to music, there's no place he'd rather be than on stage, sharing his passion with audiences everywhere.
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