About Me
About Chip McCain
A Lifetime of Music, a Few Unexpected Key Changes, and One Heck of a Story
For Chip McCain, music found him—and apparently had no intention of letting him go.
Some musicians find music.
For Chip McCain, music found him—and apparently had no intention of letting him go.
Chip’s story has included touring bands, Nashville recording studios, packed performance schedules, radio, computers, entrepreneurship, community service, and more than a few unexpected turns along the way. Through all of it, one thing has remained constant: a love of entertaining people.
And as anyone who has spent much time in the music business knows, sometimes the best songs are the ones with a few surprising chord changes.
At a Glance
- Touring keyboardist and solo entertainer
- Nashville session musician and jingle performer
- Ordained minister and wedding officiant
- Entrepreneur, tech professional, and community supporter
The Early Years: Finding the Beat
Chip spent his early childhood in Tampa, Florida. At age nine, a shooting accident changed the course of his life, eventually leaving him totally blind by the age of fourteen.
But losing his sight certainly didn’t mean losing his direction.
After attending the Alabama School for the Blind in Talladega for a year, Chip was mainstreamed into public school in Birmingham. He later attended high school in Springville, Alabama, as well as the Alabama School of Fine Arts in Birmingham.
Somewhere along the way, music entered the picture.
And it stayed.
His musical journey began in the elementary school band, where several exceptional teachers recognized and encouraged his abilities. Their influence helped turn an interest in music into something much bigger—a lifelong career.
By thirteen, Chip was already performing with local dance bands as a drummer and occasional organist.
Most thirteen-year-olds were trying to figure out what they wanted to be when they grew up. Chip was already looking for the next gig.
From Behind the Drums to Behind the Keys
At seventeen, while studying Piano Technology at the E. H. Gentry Technical Facility in Talladega, Chip was offered a position working as a sound and lighting technician for a local country act, The Wayne Hand Band.
It was valuable experience behind the scenes. There was just one problem. The stage kept calling.
Before long, Chip returned to performing, this time as a keyboardist with the popular regional dance band Charter Oak.
In 1984, the road came calling as well.
Chip joined a Midwestern touring band and spent the next several years traveling, performing, and sharpening his skills as a keyboard player.
Then came Nashville.
Nashville: Studios, Stages & Life on Music Row
In 1987, Chip moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to play keyboards for the up-and-coming recording act Dixie Grey.
What followed was nearly a decade immersed in the Nashville music scene.
Chip worked as a session musician in Nashville demo studios, played on recording projects, and wrote and performed radio and television jingles for a studio associated with the Westwood One Network.
He also played piano for a Delta Blues act at Opryland and spent time on the road touring with established recording artists.
Studios. Stages. Rehearsals. Road trips. Late nights. Early load-ins.
And probably more cups of coffee than anyone should attempt to count.
Those years helped shape the versatile performer Chip would eventually become.
Back to Birmingham—and Going Solo
In 1996, Chip returned to Birmingham and once again began performing with local bands.
But the music business was changing.
Recognizing that the economics of maintaining a full-time band were becoming increasingly difficult, Chip made another career adjustment: he developed himself as a solo entertainer.
It turned out to be a pretty good move.
Working as many as seven nights a week—and sometimes as many as eleven shows in a single week—Chip performed at some of Birmingham’s most notable venues and established a reputation as one of the area’s hardest-working and most frequently requested entertainers.
Over the years, the solo format allowed him to build a large and diverse repertoire and adapt his performances to everything from restaurants and nightclubs to private parties, weddings, corporate events, reunions, holiday gatherings, and special occasions.
Read the room, play the right song, keep people entertained, and make sure everyone has a good time.
There’s More to the Story Than Music
While music has always been the soundtrack, Chip has never been particularly interested in playing only one note in life.
At sixteen, he earned his Professional Radio Announcer’s License from the Federal Communications Commission, adding broadcasting to his growing collection of interests.
He studied Piano Technology at E. H. Gentry Technical Facility and later pursued Computer Science coursework at Bessemer State Technical College.
Over the years, Chip has also completed studies and certificate programs in areas including:
- Business Administration
- Sales and Business Management
- Small Computer Information Interfacing and Networking
- Bed & Breakfast Management
Because apparently being a musician, broadcaster, and computer guy wasn’t enough.
Chip is also an Ordained Minister and licensed Wedding Officiant, allowing him to participate in another very special kind of live event.
And yes—he can perform at the wedding too.
Musician. Tech Guy. Entrepreneur.
Chip’s career outside the music industry has been nearly as varied as his song list.
Businesses Owned & Operated
- Commercial cleaning service
- Restaurant and lounge
- PC networking and computer service company
- Web hosting service
- PYOP and canvas art studio
Those experiences gave him a working knowledge of business, technology, customer service, marketing, and entrepreneurship—skills that have proven surprisingly useful in surviving the ever-changing music business.
Because being an independent musician isn’t just about knowing the chords.
Sometimes you’ve also got to know the computers, contracts, cables, customers, websites, invoices, and why the PA system suddenly decided not to cooperate five minutes before showtime.
Giving Something Back
For Chip, performing has never been only about getting applause. It has also been a way to give something back.
Throughout the years, he has regularly donated his time and talent to nonprofit organizations and community events.
He has performed benefit shows for various Veterans of Foreign Wars posts, helping raise money for a variety of causes.
He has also frequently performed Thanksgiving and Christmas programs for blinded veterans associated with the Southeastern Blind Rehabilitation Center at the Veterans Hospital.
His support hasn’t stopped when the music ends.
Chip has provided free web hosting and webmaster services to the Southeastern Blind Rehabilitation Center Alumni Association, participated in the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Stars Behind Bars fundraiser, and supported other nonprofit efforts over the years.
As someone who understands firsthand the challenges of living without sight, Chip has also devoted countless hours to providing free computer and technical assistance to other blind individuals.
Sometimes the best performance isn’t the one that happens under stage lights. It’s simply being there when somebody needs a hand.
The Next Set
Today, Chip lives in Social Circle, Georgia, with his longtime partner and love, Tracy.
And although the scenery has changed a few times over the years, the basic routine hasn’t.
There’s still music to play. There’s still an audience waiting.
And Chip can still be found performing in clubs, restaurants, private events, and venues throughout the area.
After decades behind keyboards, microphones, mixing consoles, computers, and more pieces of musical equipment than he’d probably care to inventory, Chip remains exactly what he has been since those first teenage gigs:
A working musician who genuinely loves what he does.
His life has included some difficult passages, some remarkable opportunities, and more than a few unexpected key changes. But through every verse and chorus, Chip has continued moving forward with humor, determination, curiosity, and a commitment to both his craft and his community.
And after all these years?
The music is still playing.
Let’s Make Some Music
Whether it’s a wedding, private party, restaurant, nightclub, corporate gathering, reunion, holiday celebration, or special event, Chip brings decades of professional experience and a genuine love of entertaining to every performance.
The stage is set. The keyboard is plugged in.
All that’s missing is your event.