Mac McAnally

You can look far and wide throughout the music world, but you'll never find anyone more deserving of respect and acclaim than Mac McAnally. You'll also never find anyone who feels more awkward about accepting kudos from his many admirers. It's not like he's a stranger to the spotlight. He's been releasing albums since he was 20 years old – this being his 13th so far. He's experienced the heady thrill of topping the singles charts, in a duet recording of his composition "Down the Road" with longtime pal Kenny Chesney. He's also written several No. 1 hits, beginning with Alabama's "Old Flame." His star shines even brighter among music business insiders. For years a first-call musician in both Nashville and Muscle Shoals, he has amassed vast session credits with George Strait, Martina McBride, Dolly Parton, Keith Whitley, George Jones, Brad Paisley, Toby Keith, Billy Joel, Trisha Yearwood, Reba … really, it's probably easier to list who Mac hasn't played with since he started doing studio dates in the late '70s.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of artist