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Mighty Sam McClain - vocals
Pat Herlehy - guitar
Michael Sucher - organ/piano
Andrew Smith - bass
Caleb Bronz - drums
Jack Phipps - trumpet
Matthew Clancy - sax
Marty McRea - trombone
Sam McClain was born on the northern edge of the
Bible Belt in Monroe, Louisiana in 1943. As a five year old, he
began singing in his mother's Gospel Church. It was then that he
realized singing was his mission. He left home when he was thirteen
to escape an abusive stepfather and followed local R & B guitarist,
"Little Melvin" Underwood through the Chitlin Circuit.
First as his valet and then as lead vocalist himself.
While he was singing at the 506 Club in Pensacola,
Florida he was introduced to Producer / DJ, "Papa Don"
Schroeder. In 1966, Sam recorded Patsy Cline's "Sweet Dreams",
his first real success. Several recording sessions at Muscle Shoals
produced singles, "Fannie-May" and "In the Same Old
Way", but his career never really took off. For fifteen years,
first in Nashville, then in New Orleans Sam worked menial jobs and
was forced to sell his plasma while he was homeless. From cotton
fields to the Apollo Theater to the park bench, all while living
the songs that would jump- start his career in the mid 1980's. New
Orleans own, Neville Brothers (Bless you) extended themselves at
this lowest of times. Sam was offered a chance to tour and record
in Japan in 1989. "Live In Japan", featuring legendary
Wayne Bennett is a truly fine recording, much sought after by fans
worldwide.
By the early 1990's Sam networked his way to
New England by way of his association with the "Hubert Sumlin
Blues Party" project (produced by Hammond Scott on Black Top),
which involved many Boston based musicians. These friends provided
encouragement and collaborations, which led to Joe Harley and AudioQuest
Music. The results were these successful releases, "Give It
Up To Love" and "Keep On Movin".
After his move to New Hampshire the momentum
continued to build with "Sledgehammer Soul and Down Home Blues".
In 1998 Sam had two releases, "Journey" (AQM) and "Joy
and Pain-Live in Europe" on the CrossCut label. "Soul
Survivor-The Best of MSM" was his farewell to AudioQuest in
1999, ("Journey" and "Soul Survivor" both include
"New Man In Town", featured this season in David E. Kelley's
Ally McBeal on FOX-TV).
Sam signed on with the Telarc Blues label in
1999, taking his longtime producer Joe Harley with him.
When Sam started to take back his career in
1996 and turned to managing himself, he founded McClain Management,
which is dedicated to maintaining the integrity and individuality
of artists on it's roster. His publishing company, Emily's Son Publishing
has been licensed since 1993 when his original work appeared on
"Give It Up To Love". McClain formed McClain Productions
after successfully co-producing his CD's with Joe Harley. Mighty
Sam McClain is in control of his life and career. It's full steam
ahead for this great vocalist! "The Soul of America" is
what he is called in Europe-he is, just as the lyrics he wrote,
"I'm a singer, a man with a song .... and I've got a message
for you...."
Mighty Sam McClain's new recording "One
More Bridge to Cross" made it's debut on the Mighty Music label
in February 2003.
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