Charleston, South Carolina singer and songwriter Edwin McCain blends jazz, rhythm and blues, pop and folk, which he presents from the heart and soul of a storyteller. In the past three years, he's scored with hits such as "I Could Not Ask For More" and "I'll Be," which has become a popular wedding song in the United States. Edwin McCain's fourth and latest album, Far From Over, was recently released.
Edwin McCain established himself as a pop and folk balladeer, with sensitive, romantic tunes, such as his 1998 Hit, "I'll Be." His previous album Messenger was certified gold with sales of more than 500,000, and his 1997 collection Misguided Roses passed the million mark. His music can also be found on several film soundtracks, including 1999's "Message In a Bottle." The singer and songwriter prefers that his entire band is collectively known as Edwin McCain.
Their new album, Far From Over, was recorded at Willie Nelson's studio, in a remote area 40 kilometers from Austin, Texas. Edwin admits that, although the living conditions were primitive, the band loved working together so closely. For the first time, Edwin took charge of the sessions for Far From Over, and feels the album came closer to the sound he had in mind.
The first single, "Hearts Fall," is a duet with Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter, Shawn Colvin. Edwin McCain says he and Shawn prepared for the session by sitting around, smoking cigarettes and telling stories about life on the road.
In his early years on the club circuit, Edwin McCain gain support of another famous band from the Carolinas, Hootie and the Blowfish. They hired Edwin as their supporting act, and helped him obtain his recording contract with Atlantic Records in 1995. Edwin's touring schedule is among the most rigorous in pop music, with more than 300 dates each year.
On Far From Over, Edwin McCain includes more of his familiar acoustic-based songs about concerns of the heart, and even experimented with a waltz tempo. Edwin and his band cut loose on a few rocking tunes as well. "Get Out of This Town" is pure Southern rock, while "Radio Star" pokes fun at pampered rock stars. Edwin says was inspired to write the song after watching an episode of VH-1's "Behind The Music" series, featuring Buffalo, New York rockers, the Goo Goo Dolls.
Edwin McCain and his band recently joined label-mates Uncle Kracker and Duncan Sheik for a taping of the "New Sound Lounge" television series at the Hard Rock Cafe in Orlando, Florida. A broadcast date will be announced in the coming weeks. Edwin is currently performing a series of radio festivals and charity concerts in the southeastern U.S. He sang the National Anthem at the Pepsi 400 auto race in Daytona Beach, Florida Sunday, July 8, which was televised across the country.