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Where Will Mac McAnally Turn Up Next?

Buffett, Toby Keith Angle For Mac's Talents
Legendary Music Maker Picks Up Two CMA Awards Nominations

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) As critics and music lovers alike are discovering, the release of Mac McAnally's Down By The River has been a revelation from one of the most respected music makers of his era. But if promoting that project wasn't enough, McAnally is also traveling coast to coast to perform as a longstanding member of Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefers band.

Of course, McAnally is also keeping a full schedule of solo dates in places as diverse as rural Turkey Run, Indiana and the House of Blues in Chicago. And when he's not on the road, you can find him in the studio producing Buffett's next album, due later this year. Media appearances include his recent visit to the nationally syndicated Bob & Tom morning show and a taped appearance for Great American Country cable network's GAC Nights, airing on this week (check local listings for times and channel).

In between two nights of Buffett shows in the Washington DC area, Mac snuck in a solo performance at a local theatre. While spending time in the Virginian suburbs, he also made a special appearance on local FOX television affiliate's WTTG's Fox 5 Morning News to perform "You First," the first single from Down By The River. The Washington Post praises the album saying, "[it] showcases his warm voice, which makes these tunes sound even more like yarns spun around a cozy fireplace." And iTunes raves, "He's in terrific voice, and the array of styles and lyrics on the set is startling. McAnally has gone wider and deeper to release what is arguably his crown jewel, which is a fertile as the land and the history of America itself. This is music that comes from the ground and ascends to the heart."

Down By The River, released on Toby Keith's Show Dog Nashville label, showcases one of the most multi-faceted musical talents in popular music history. Mac was named 2008 Musician of the Year by the Country Music Association, the same year he was inducted into the Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame. He is also a 2007 inductee to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. And at this week's nominations announcement, Mac picked up two 2009 CMA Awards nods for Musical Event of the Year (for his performance with Kenny Chesney on the No. 1 single "Down The Road") and Musician of the Year. As a producer, guitar player, songwriter, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and performer, McAnally elicits a genuine deference from the superstar performers named above for one simple reason ... music.