The 68th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival will take place at the Monterey County Fairgrounds September 26-28, 2025.

Steve McClain is more than just your typical Nashville musician with 13 guitars. He’s quite possibly the only American singer/songwriter/guitarist in Tennessee that has a master’s degree in geography from Kent State University in Ohio. Steve loves the diversity of music and its relationship to people, landscapes and locations. Through his music and lyrics he can transport us emotionally to a specific place and time.  

Steve was born in Ravenna, Ohio and grew up in nearby Newton Falls. He got his first Beatles album at age 5, started playing guitar at age 7, piano at age 10, and writing songs shortly after. At 14, Steve was playing lead guitar in a working rock band with much older musicians. Yes, this band played at bars and nightclubs. Yes, Steve being there was illegal. But that didn’t keep him from sneaking in and doing what he loved. 

In the early 90s Steve formed the roots rock/country band, Firewater, and they were successful in the northeast Ohio and western Pennsylvania areas. He went on to perform with other groups and essentially became a solo artist in the mid 90s. Steve has entertained at countless bars, clubs, coffee houses and festivals. Steve’s songs have been played on 91.3 FM The Summit in Akron, Ohio and on Nashville’s independent radio station Lightning 100. He has also received airplay in Germany, Belgium, and Taiwan. Steve has released four full length CDs of original material and music videos. To watch and listen go to http://www.stevemcclain.com/#music  

In addition to music, Steve appeared in the 2008 movie The Path of the Wind with Wilford Brimley. He has also been an extra in the movie Country Strong with Gwyneth Paltrow and Tim McGraw, the music video “When You’re Young” by Three Doors Down, and on the ABC television series "Nashville." 

Spending the last ten years in Nashville has really influenced Steve’s writing. “Living in Nashville has forced me to really look at what is successful and what is important to me as a songwriter. I’m crafting more pop influenced melodies but still writing some very personal lyrics.” 

You will currently find Steve rehearsing with a talented new group of musicians for an upcoming recording of new songs at First Avenue Sound in Franklin, Tennessee. Following this will be a music video for the upcoming single “Before She Was Your Girl”. And look for Steve still sneaking into bars. 

Yes, he’s now legal.  

To learn more visit http://www.stevemcclain.com/

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