Antsy McClain

Singer-Songwriter

Singer, songwriter, humorist and small town philosopher Antsy McClain writes what he knows: The good life.

Staging his live shows from a small, fictitious trailer park called Pine View Heights (patterned after his own childhood surroundings and experiences), McClain is free from an over-abundance of material things and appreciates time with family and friends.

Sharing his mantra of Enjoy The Ride, McClain has won friendship and collaboration with some of the most talented musicians in the world. With such a wide circle of mentors like Waylon Jennings, Tommy Smothers, guitar legend Tommy Emmanuel and cowboy poet Baxter Black, its no wonder McClain marches to the beat of a different drum. And his influences dont stop there. His live shows touch upon Country, Rockabilly, Jazz, Swing, and a number of Pop culture references.

McClains poetry, heart-felt ballads and humorous tales have garnered praise from such artists as Guy Clark, Willie Nelson, Lindsay Buckingham, and David Wilcox, to name a few.

After a Nashville record deal proved unfruitful in 1999, McClain took the reins himself and blazed one of the industries first fiercely independent campaigns, producing some of Americanas most innovative projects, and cleverly relying on fan involvement (They call themselves Flamingoheads) to finance each album, and help promote live shows and events.

Before music found him, Antsy was an award-winning illustrator and designer for book and magazine publishers. As the DIY movement took hold, McClain was one of the first artists of note to not only record, mix and produce his own albums, but to serve as art director and designer for everything involving his music career; from CD package design to website design to merchandise. The bands t-shirts are looked at as one-of-a-kind boutique item originals, often signed and numbered when sold.

When accused of being a control freak, McClain flashes a guilty look, but dissuades the dig by saying, Ive always just tried to save myself money. I was a self employed guy with five kids. We had an agreement that my wife was to be home while they were young, and it worked out great. But I didnt have a thousand dollars to pay somebody for a logo. If I was going to have one, Id have to do it.

Calling himself a life enthusiast, Antsy McClain is eager to see whats around every corner, and watches the horizon intently for each new change that takes place.

My life is my art, explains Antsy, I am painting my life one day at a time, one brush stroke at a time. As I spend time with my wife and children, or as I go on the road toward new places to make new friends, as I write a new song, as I draw or paint something for people to look at and enjoy This is my life, and Im grateful to have the opportunity to share it with music, with words and with pictures.

McClain looks out the window as a car whirs past, I am enjoying the ride.