Singer-Songwriter Hall of Famer Mac McAnally Completes Ambitious New Project
Singer-Songwriter Hall of Famer Mac McAnally
Completes Ambitious New Project
Triple-Threat Player/Writer/Singer
To Release Debut Orchestral Album Of Original Music
(Nashville) Mac McAnally is widely respected as a "musician's musician" and essential player on countless sessions and tours, and now the singer-songwriter moves back into the spotlight with an ambitious new album.
Scheduled to release Sept. 22 on Mailboat Records, Southbound is the first of his 14 albums to present all-original material in McAnally's newly arranged orchestral context. The album features 16 tunes from his catalog, each one spotlighting members of Hattiesburg, Mississippi's FestivalSouth Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jay Dean, accompanying McAnally's performances.
All were recorded previously by McAnally. Many were also covered successfully by other artists, including Jimmy Buffett ("It's My Job"), Kenny Chesney ("Back Where I Come From"), and Sawyer Brown ("All These Years,") peaking at No. 1 on Billboard Country.
"This pile of songs runs across more than my entire career," McAnnally notes. "My relationship with music has been around as long as I have. I am blessed to call my passion my 'job' and even more blessed to be in a position to play music and benefit not only my family, but many folks from my home state.
A true polymath, McAnally has delivered virtuoso backup on multiple instruments in session with George Strait, Brad Paisley, George Jones, Dolly Parton and many other well-known artists. His prowess as a player has earned him an unprecedented eight consecutive CMA Musician Of the Year Awards (2008-2015). When not laying down tracks for superstar singers, McAnally holds down a longtime gig as a member of Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band.
Equally distinguished as a composer, he has written many No. 1 songs, beginning with "Old Flame" for Alabama and including Chesney's recording of "Down The Road," with McAnally on guest vocals. McAnally is a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame and the Mississippi Musicians Hall Of Fame.
A proud son of Belmont, Mississippi, McAnally will donate proceeds from sales of Southbound to the University Of Southern Mississippi Symphony Orchestra as well as the Extra Table charity, dedicated to combatting hunger throughout his home state.
"Sometimes I feel a little guilty about being overly appreciated and awarded compared to some of my heroes and peers. This project hopefully can divert a little spotlight to people and places and situations that deserve more. I'm proud of the music and to have my work done with an orchestra is a dream come true. The fact that the project benefits these two wonderful causes brings it full circle, Back Where I Come From."
Currently in the midst of a concert tour, McAnally will deliver a special performance of music from Southbound with live orchestra at a date and location yet to be announced.
Southbound's Track Listing
On The Line
Back Where I Come From
It's My Job
Crazy World
Miracle
Junk Cars
On Account of You
The Opposite of Love
Southbound
Dark Ages
Blame it on New Orleans
Working Prayer
When Trouble Comes Around
Zanzibar
All These Years
It's Easy
Confirmed appearances include:
JUL 6 Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre with Jimmy Buffett - St. Louis, MO
JUL 8 Riverbend Music Center with Jimmy Buffett - Cincinnati, OH
JUL 11 DTE Energy Music Theatre with Jimmy Buffett - Detroit, MI
JUL 15 Wrigley Field with Jimmy Buffett - Chicago, IL
JUL 19 City Winery - Chicago, IL
JUL 20 Delmar Hall - St. Louis, MO
JUL 21 River Spirit Casino Resort - Tulsa, OK
JUL 23 Selfridge Air National Guard Base - Harrison Township, MI
JUL 27 McGlohon Theater - Charlotte, NC
JUL 28 The Beacon Theatre - Hopewell, VA
JUL 29 Rams Head On Stage - Annapolis, MD
JUL 30 Mountain Stage - Elkins, WV
AUG 11 Budweiser Stage with Jimmy Buffett - Toronto, ON, Canada
AUG 15 Jones Beach with Jimmy Buffett - Wantagh, NY
AUG 17 BB&T Pavilion with Jimmy Buffett - Camden, NJ
AUG 19 Xfinity Center with Jimmy Buffett - Mansfield, MA
AUG 27 Harbor Square Theater - Stone Harbor, NJ
AUG 28 City Winery - New York, NY
SEP 21 La Cigale with Jimmy Buffett - Paris, France
SEP 22 La Cigale with Jimmy Buffett - Paris, France
SEP 23 La Cigale with Jimmy Buffett - Paris, France
OCT 13 Pepsi Live Rogers Arena with Jimmy Buffett - Vancouver, BC Canada
OCT 15 Matthew Knight Arena with Jimmy Buffett - Eugene, OR
OCT 19 Bill Graham Civic Auditorium - San Diego, CA
OCT 21 Mattress Firm Amphitheater with Jimmy Buffet - San Diego, CA
NOV 4 Waikiki Shell with Jimmy Buffet - Honolulu, HI
For further information, visit MacMcAnally.com.