Jeff McClellan

Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival, Jeff McClellan, Songwriter, SMSWF, Gatlinburg, TNJeff McClellan is an award-winning songwriter and acoustic performer who has lived his entire life in the Appalachian region of America. Jeff has been writing songs since he learned his first chords on guitar as a child. Until recently he simply wrote his songs, played them for family and friends occasionally, and hid them away in drawers without any thought of pursuing his hobby at any higher level. “A couple of years ago with the encouragement of my wife, I signed up for some workshops to try to hone my skills a little bit regarding my writing,” offers Jeff. “After that, things kind of took off for me somewhat.”

“I write about life; especially life from the places I have called home, and the people I have been blessed to meet.” Jeff has found success in Bluegrass and Americana music primarily. “I have had the opportunity to work with some really great people who have helped me get some songs heard by industry folks.”

Jeff has had at least one song in the SMSWF final every year that he has entered. “I love this festival” added Jeff, “it’s a great great opportunity to meet writers and network with the folks who share the same love for songs, and the craft of songwriting. “

Jeff scored his first #1 song in the spring of 2018. RAINY DAY BLUES recorded by the legendary Terry Baucom and The Dukes of Drive spent 3 weeks at the top of Bluegrass Today Airplay charts and has been on the charts for 15 weeks (and still counting). Jeff has written or co-written songs recorded by Volume Five, Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice, Terry Baucom’s Dukes of Drive, Milan Miller, Mike Bentley, Jeff Brown & Still Lonesome, Kristi Stanley, Wound Tight, Justin Crider, Amber Collins & Branch House Pavilion, Terry Mullins, and others.

Jeff has written or cowritten a title track for an independent release in 2015, four independent artist releases and three label artist releases in 2016, and has four indie artist releases and four label artist releases in 2017.

“Songwriting for me has always been about capturing a thought or emotion and trying to paint it in a way folks can relate to,” offers Jeff, “and it’s always really cool to hear one of my songs on the radio. I can’t imagine that any writer would ever get tired of that!” Jeff was born in Tennessee, and raised in east Tennessee and southwest Virginia. He has been heavily influenced since childhood by small town life in rural America. He currently resides in Kingsport TN with his wife Cheryl, son Tyler, and three dogs…. and four guitars.

Keep on pickin’

jeffmcclellansongs.com