Antsy McClain has been writing songs since he was 14. He moved to Nashville in 1994 from Kentucky. He was born in Central Ohio. He has always enjoyed riding bicycles. He just took a bike ride yesterday, in fact, and it was very enjoyable. He’s made 23 albums over 35 years. And you’re probably wondering why you’ve never heard of him. That’s a good question.
“Who?” – Vanity Flair
Largely ignored by radio, television, film, satellite radio, public access Cable TV channels, social media and virtually every form of media, Antsy McClain exhibits the intestinal fortitude of a man who clearly doesn’t know any better. He keeps plugging away, writing and producing his albums and spending more than he’ll ever make in sales.
“Antsy McClain is an aging C-List singer/songwriter with a lot to say about things normal people really don’t think much about.” – Rolling Home Magazine
Antsy’s garage, like his career, is currently cluttered and unnavigable, filled with empty Amazon boxes and bubble wrap. There are so many boxes, he can’t find his box cutter. Otherwise, he’d break the boxes down to be hauled away. This happens five or six times a year.
This bio page doesn’t do Antsy McClain justice. I miss mention of his loyal fan base, delightful portrayal of the ordinary with new perspectives in his lyrics and real affection for the fans. – Ann, a lovely and kind friend to Antsy’s music
Antsy McClain likes to cook food. Just the other day, he made his Mom’s meatloaf recipe and the whole house smelled like his childhood. Antsy loves his fans.
“When I put the paltry $2,000 guarantee check in Antsy’s sweaty, shaky hand after he and his 5-piece band had just wowed another near-capacity crowd for two and a half hours, I almost felt bad for not including hotel rooms. As Antsy slumped away, I wondered whose sofas they’d be sleeping on here in Nevada City tonight. ‘He’ll be all right,’ I thought. ‘These artists do it for the love.'” – David “Non Profit” Panderslack, booking coordinator for The Mine Shaft
Antsy McClain is known for his devotion to the people who make it all possible: his fans. He adores them and is grateful for all their support.
McClain folds his bathroom towels in thirds, feels a certain cosmic kinship to Melissa McCarthy, and has panic attacks at the grocery store while trying to choose coffee and/or a toothbrush. He has recently switched from paper towels to Swedish dishcloths. It took some getting used to, but using fewer paper products gives him a nice feeling. Antsy has real affection for friends of his music. He likes them all very much.
“Many of his promo shots have him gazing off to his left, no doubt watching his fan base scurry from the room.” – Entertainment Weakly
His latest album project, “Deep Clean Your Spleen,” (due out in early 2025 or sometime last April) is a disco album. It chronicles his long, arduous climb from total obscurity to relative anonymity, and sets it all to fun, upbeat music. He has claimed – on three other occasions – that “this album will be my last.” He did so in the hopes that any notion of scarcity might boost record sales. It worked for The Eagles. It has not worked for Antsy McClain.
“When I think of Antsy McClain, I think of that old story about the guy who keeps hitting himself over the head with a hammer. His friends ask him to stop, but he can’t because he’s been doing it for so long, he doesn’t know what else he would ever do if not for that. It’s like Antsy’s been hitting himself over the head with the music business for, like, ever, and it’s the only thing he knows.” – Candy Starr, former manager, Las Vegas
Antsy McClain has many guitars. Some are better than others. He is not endorsed by any guitar maker. He says it’s better this way because he can play whatever guitar he wants, he just has to buy them at full price. And then he looks off sadly, wistfully, like Dylan McDermott (or Dermot Mulroney) in a Lifetime movie.
“A lot of people admire the tireless artist. Their struggle inspires and gives hope to a hungry world. But if it goes on too long, it’s just sad.” – Antsy’s nephew, Darren
Antsy McClain has written 7 books, created countless paintings, prints and posters. He has produced albums for other artists and took a 6-week correspondence course to learn equine massage. He has watched a lot of movies and recently built a small set of stairs at the foot of his bed. He made them for an old dog. He doesn’t have a dog at the moment, but those stairs are ready when the time comes, when the dog gets too old to jump up on the bed. He also has a nice spot in his back yard with a swing, a few lawn chairs and a fire pit. He loves and appreciates his fans.
“The road to success is rife with detours. There are very few signs, and you don’t know when to stop. If there’s a better analogy for Antsy McClain’s career, I don’t know what it is.” – The Houston Chronicler
Antsy realizes the folly of writing and recording music that, in the end, just doesn’t pay off. He likens it to having a baby. You carry it for nine months, you have this long, painful delivery, and then you realize nobody has a CD player.
“The Greek hero Sisyphus struggled to get to the top of the mountain, and the rock he was made to push got bigger and heavier. Comparatively, Antsy McClain is carrying an old guitar and a garbage bag full of polyester clothing. The bag has ripped and his clothes are falling out all over the place, and he’s dropped the guitar a dozen times. This is just too painful to watch.” – Songwriter/Friend, Stan Troutbasin
Antsy McClain has many tables in his home. They are used for different things. Some of them are just to look at. If you ever visit him, make sure to use the coasters.
Videos of Antsy McClain for your viewing pleasure.
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