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The McLain Family Band: Sounding Appalachia in the World

David Mitchell

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Published in Bluegrass Ambassadors: The McLain Family Band In Appalachia And The World (Sounding Appalachia)

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Bluegrass Ambassadors: The McLain Family Band in Appalachia and the World (Sounding Appalachia)

by Paul O. Jenkins

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3872 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	228 pages

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The McLain Family Band has been playing old-time music in Appalachia for over 50 years. The band has toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe, and has performed at some of the most prestigious folk festivals in the world. The McLains' music is characterized by their tight harmonies, intricate instrumentals, and deep connection to their Appalachian roots.

The band was founded in 1963 by patriarch Sherman McLain. Sherman was a gifted musician who played several instruments, including the guitar, banjo, and fiddle. He was also a skilled singer and songwriter. Sherman's wife, Almeda, was also a talented musician, and she played the bass and sang harmony. The couple's three children, Ginny, Susie, and David, all learned to play instruments and sing at a young age. They began performing with their parents in the early 1970s, and they have been touring together ever since.

The McLain Family Band's music is deeply rooted in the Appalachian tradition. The band's repertoire includes traditional ballads, fiddle tunes, and gospel songs. The McLains also perform their own original compositions, which often draw on their Appalachian heritage. The band's music is characterized by its strong sense of community and its celebration of the Appalachian way of life.

The McLain Family Band has been praised for their musicianship and their dedication to preserving Appalachian music. The band has received numerous awards, including the National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. The McLains have also been inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame. In 2013, the band was awarded the Americana Music Association's Lifetime Achievement Award for Instrumentalist.

The McLain Family Band is a living testament to the power of music to connect people and to preserve cultural traditions. The band's music is a celebration of the Appalachian spirit, and it has touched the lives of people all over the world.

The McLain Family Band's Impact on Appalachian Music

The McLain Family Band has had a profound impact on Appalachian music. The band's music has helped to revive interest in traditional Appalachian music, and it has inspired a new generation of musicians to play and sing old-time music. The McLains have also been instrumental in preserving Appalachian music traditions. The band has recorded several albums of traditional Appalachian songs, and they have taught workshops on how to play and sing old-time music.

The McLain Family Band's music has also had a significant impact on the world of folk music. The band's tight harmonies and intricate instrumentals have set a new standard for folk music. The McLains have also been pioneers in using traditional Appalachian music in new and innovative ways. The band's music has been featured in film and television, and it has been recorded by a wide variety of artists, including Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Johnny Cash.

The McLain Family Band's Legacy

The McLain Family Band is one of the most important and influential bands in the history of Appalachian music. The band's music has helped to revive interest in traditional Appalachian music, and it has inspired a new generation of musicians to play and sing old-time music. The McLains have also been instrumental in preserving Appalachian music traditions. The band has recorded several albums of traditional Appalachian songs, and they have taught workshops on how to play and sing old-time music.

The McLain Family Band's legacy will continue to live on for many years to come. The band's music is a timeless treasure, and it will continue to touch the lives of people all over the world.

The McLain Family Band is a true American treasure. The band's music is a celebration of the Appalachian spirit, and it has touched the lives of people all over the world. The McLains are living legends, and their music will continue to inspire and entertain for generations to come.

Bluegrass Ambassadors: The McLain Family Band in Appalachia and the World (Sounding Appalachia)

by Paul O. Jenkins

5 out of 5