Edwin Cole McCain (born January 20, 1970) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. He is best known for his 1998 single "I'll Be", which peaked at number 5 in the Billboard Hot 100; its 1999 follow-up, "I Could Not Ask for More", peaked within its top 40. 5 of McCain's 11 albums have entered the Billboard 200.
Early life McCain graduated from Christ Church Episcopal School in Greenville, South Carolina,Christ Church Episcopal School and briefly attended both the College of Charleston and Coastal Carolina University.
Career In 1994, McCain recorded his first major-label album, Honor Among Thieves under the Lava Records imprint. The record was released in 1995. His second album, Misguided Roses, spawned "I'll Be", a major hit single in 1998. "I'll Be" also is featured on the charitable album, Live in the X Lounge, along with a live version of McCain's "Solitude".
The summer of 1999 marked the arrival of McCain's third album, Messenger, which included a second Top 40 hit, the Diane Warren-penned "I Could Not Ask For More." "I Could Not Ask For More" was also featured on the soundtrack for the 1999 film Message in a Bottle.
In 2002, McCain released his first DVD, Mile Marker: Songs and Stories from the Acoustic Highway. In 2003, he released a collection of acoustic versions of old and new songs called The Austin Sessions. About the same time, he hosted "Inside Music With Edwin McCain", a syndicated show on the Sirius radio network. Mid-2004 saw the arrival of McCain's studio album Scream & Whisper. In late 2004, McCain released his second DVD, Tinsel and Tap Shoes. It was his first live concert DVD, recorded at The House of Blues in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
In 2005, McCain released a single, "Hold Out a Hand," co-written and performed with singer/songwriter Maia Sharp. All profits from the single went to hurricane relief. McCain's next album, Lost in America, was released on April 11, 2006. Lost in America contained three singles: "Truly Believe", "The Kiss" and live-favorite "Gramercy Park Hotel", which pays homage to the New York City landmark and its colorful patrons. A subsequent recording, a collection of R&B cover songs titled "Nobody's Fault But Mine", was produced by Tor Hyams and released through Saguaro Road Records on June 24, 2008; it included a version of Soul Brothers Six song "Some Kind of Wonderful." In 2010, McCain released The Best of Edwin McCain, a 20-year career retrospective that included a cross-section of material as well as a new single, "Walk With You" (produced by Don Was.) McCain's 10th album, Mercy Bound, was released August 30, 2011.
On January 22, 2017, McCain sang the American National Anthem at Gillette Stadium for the AFC Championship Game between the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers. On November 29, 2019, McCain released his first Christmas album, Merry Christmas, Baby.
In 2025, McCain competed in season thirteen of The Masked Singer as "Nessy.” He was eliminated in "Top 5: Soundtrack of My Life" and did an encore of "I'll Be.”
Discography Independent albums TitleAlbum detailsNomadic Logic Released: 1991 Format: cassetteSolitude Released: 1993 Format: CD, cassette
Studio albums TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positionsCertificationsUSHonor Among Thieves Released: August 15, 1995 Label: Lava/Atlantic Records Format: CD, digital download107Misguided Roses Released: June 24, 1997 Label: Lava/Atlantic Records Format: CD, digital download73 RIAA: PlatinumMessenger Released: June 15, 1999 Label: Lava/Atlantic Records Format: CD, digital download59 RIAA: GoldFar from Over Released: June 19, 2001 Label: Lava/Atlantic Records Format: CD, digital download105The Austin Sessions Released: February 25, 2003 Label: ATC Records Format: CD, digital download—Scream & Whisper Released: June 22, 2004 Label: DRT Entertainment Format: CD, digital download183Rhino Hi-five: Edwin McCain Released: September 20, 2005 Label: Rhino Format: CD, digital download—Lost in America Released: April 11, 2006 Label: Vanguard Records Format: CD, digital download—Nobody's Fault But Mine Released: June 24, 2008 Label: Saguaro Road Records Format: CD, digital download—Mercy Bound Released: August 30, 2011 Label: 429 Records Format: CD, digital download—Merry Christmas, Baby Released: November 29, 2019 Label: Saguaro Road Records Format: CD, digital download—Lucky Released: February 21, 2025 Label: BFD Records Format: CD, digital download—
EPs TitleAlbum detailsTinsel & Tap Shoes - Live at the House of Blues Released: November 16, 2004 Label: Independent Format: CD, digital downloadPhoenix Released: May 8, 2015 Label: Working Nomad Records Format: CD, digital downloadO Edwin, Where Art Thou? Released: August 12, 2016 Label: Independent Format: CD, digital download
Compilations TitleAlbum detailsThe Best of Edwin McCain Released: March 30, 2010 Label: Saguaro Road Records Format: CD, digital downloadLive Versions Released: July 18, 2013 Label: Working Nomad Records Format: CD, digital download
Soundtrack appearances TitleAlbum detailsTwister Released: March 30, 2010 Label: Saguaro Road Records Format: CD, digital downloadThe Family Man Released: July 18, 2013 Label: Working Nomad Records Format: CD, digital download
Singles Year Single Peak chart positionsCertifications Album US USAC US Main. CANPHL 1995 "Solitude" 72 — 25 45 — Honor Among Thieves "Sorry to a Friend" — — — — — 1997 "See the Sky Again" — — — — — Misguided Roses 1998 "I'll Be" 5 6 — 52 31 RMNZ: Platinum "What Matters" — — — — — 1999 "I Could Not Ask for More" 37 3 — 12 — Messenger "Go Be Young" — — — — — 2000 "Beautiful Life" — — — — — 2001 "Hearts Fall" — 27 — — — Far from Over "Far from Over" — — — — — "Radio Star" — — — — — "Write Me a Song" — — — — — 2004 "Say Anything" — — — — — Scream and Whisper "Shooting Stars" — — — — — 2006 "Gramercy Park Hotel" — — — — — Lost in America "Truly Believe" — — — — — 2007 "The Kiss" — — — — — 2008 "Some Kind of Wonderful" — — — — — Nobody's Fault But Mine 2010 "Walk With You" — — — — — The Best of Edwin McCain 2016 "Christmas Chihuahua" — — — — — O Edwin, Where Art Thou? – denotes releases that did not chart
Soundtrack appearances Year Single Album 1996 "See the Sky Again" Twister2000 "I Don't Know How I Got By"The Family Man
Filmography
Year Title Role Notes 2025 The Masked Singer Himself/Nessy Season 13 contestant
References
External links