Edwin McCain: The Song That Saved His Career & The Story He Can Finally Tell

Dale  Earnhardt Jr. welcomes Top-40 music artist and longtime NASCAR fan Edwin McCain to the Download to chat about his journey from a humble, local music scene to writing one of the most memorable songs in history. Edwin also shares how Dale Jr.'s 2001 July Daytona win had a profound impact on his life.  

After being born in Greenville, South Carolina, Edwin was put up for adoption but admits he has never sought out much information about his biological mother. Dale and Edwin relate on the experience of asking parents hard questions at the end of their lives to get the real picture of their upbringing. Edwin explains he began playing music at an early age after struggling in school due to dyslexia. He and Dale chat about the music they enjoyed growing up and what musicians were a major influence on Edwin, and led him to pick up a guitar.

Edwin gives listeners an idea of what the music scene was like in the mid-90s, when he, Dave Matthews and Hootie and the Blowfish were finding their way to major record label contracts. Edwin admits that his signing was largely thanks to the kindness of Hootie, who asked Atlantic Records to give him a shot. After an underperforming debut, in part due to Edwin’s disconnection from the project, Edwin saved his career with the smash hit “I’ll Be,” which remains one of the greatest love songs ever written. Edwin talks candidly about developing an addiction problem and his journey to rehab. Today, he is on the other side of hardship and celebrating the release of his new album “Lucky,” which is his first new release in almost 15 years.

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