This year, we celebrate 20 years of marriage! Michael proposed over dinner at the top of the Crowne Plaza overlooking downtown Nashville. Afterward (thank goodness it was yes!), we walked over to the Ryman Auditorium and walked in as Ronnie Bowman was singing "Say I Do" on stage. We were married a week later!
The McLains
Pretty soon after being married, we started a band, The McLains, with Michael’s brother, Raymond McLain. We released a CD on Pinecastle Records and toured from New York to California, and appeared on TNN, NPT and NPR. We enjoyed being on the road together with Raymond and seeing folks at festivals and shows. We were so grateful to be part of the bluegrass community!
Michael and Jennifer McLain Band
With a bit of courage, we stepped out as the "Michael and Jennifer McLain Band," started Big Pick Productions, launched our website, and learned a lot about planning shows. Some early highlights included arts council concerts in Granville, OH, Ottumwa, IA, and a show at a beautiful oceanside resort venue in Vero Beach, FL!
Since 2012...
We are so thankful for the recent growth of our band!
From 2012 - 2016, we were featured on National Public Radio, National Public Television, and toured the U.S. with shows in 18 states: AL, CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MI, MO, MS, NC, OH, SC, TN, VA and WV. We were honored to headline concerts and festivals in Glen Saint Mary, FL, Marysville, OH, Scottsville, KY, Leesburg, VA, Blountstown, FL, Dallas City, IL, and Caruthersville, MO. We had the opportunity to back Justin Rivers (from "The Voice") at a show in Bowling Green, KY!
We also worked for: U-Haul, Subway, Inc., Hanel Storage Systems, Aramark Corp, LifePoint Hospitals, Harry Norman Realtors, Video Gaming Technologies, Arrington Vineyards, Pruitt Health Passport America, CSI Meetings and many more.
Here is a picture of Jennifer at the Gaylord-Opryland Convention Center & Resort in Nashville for the Boy Scouts of America 2014 National Meeting. We played right before the new CEO addressed the audience for the first time. We really enjoyed this show!
Our new band featuring Dan Kelly!
Now, we are excited to head into a new season with Dan Kelly. We will be billed as, “Michael and Jennifer McLain Band, featuring Dan Kelly!” We are so glad to work with Dan. He is always professional, respectful and supportive.
About Dan
Starting at an early age, Dan became known for fluid, smooth playing. He earned state fiddle champion titles in seven states before he came to Nashville to win the Grand Masters Championship at the age of seventeen. While in Nashville, he met Roy Acuff and became part of Acuff’s Smokey Mountain Boys. Here Dan learned more about the essence of old-time country music as he performed on the Grand Ole Opry for the next eight years.
Beginning in the 1990’s, Dan toured in the bands of many major label country artists (Alan Jackson, Clint Black, Faith Hill, Steve Wariner, Lonestar and more). During this time, he performed at the Kennedy Center, the Grammys, CMA & ACM award shows, the Tonight Show, Late Night with David Letterman, Good Morning America, and Carnegie Hall. In the 2000's, Dan also performed as part of the Tennessee Mafia Jugband all over the U.S. See an article about him inFiddler Magazine.
We are so honored to start a new chapter together with Dan! We hope to see you at a concert or festival soon. Booking inquiries? Ask us! Michael @ Big Pick Productions
About Kori
Rounding out the band on upright bass and harmony vocals is Kori Caswell, from Hannibal, Missouri. She recently graduated from Belmont University in Nashville, TN, with a degree in Commercial Bass Performance.
