Perhaps the most important part of music is songwriting. This is especially true for country music. Country music traditionally consists of emotional, personal experiences put into songs. Songwriting comes naturally to Mac McAnally. He has contributed greatly to country music. His songs are heard often being by many different singers ranging from Alabama to Jimmy Buffett.
Mac McAnally was born around 1957 in the small town of Belmont, Mississippi. His skill as a writer was apparent at a young age. Inspired by Southern writers such as William Falkner, McAnally wrote short stories in school. Eventually he decided to change over to songwriting. He felt that he could put more emotion in a song than a story. The lyrics in Mac’s songs reflect his rural background.
As a kid McAnally played piano in church. By the time he was 13, he was playing with a band in a state-line bar in Tennessee. This experience paved the way for his musical career. More interested in music than school, Mac decided to drop out at age 15. This was disappointing news to his parents; especially his father, who was a teacher. Eventually his parents came to understand their son’s passion for music.
McAnally released his debut single when he was just 18. "It’s a Crazy World" made it to the top 40 pop charts.
From there his success grew. In 1977 he made his first album, which was celebrated by critics for its powerful lyrics and skillful guitar playing. McAnally’s skill as a songwriter led him to such performers as Jimmy Buffet and Alabama, who both have songs written by him. Mac is such a natural songwriter that he once described songwriting as simply "a way to get the bills paid".
He has released six albums and wrote countless songs recorded by country and pop recording stars. As a skilled musician he often plays back up for others, most recently on tour with Jimmy Buffett through 2004. Often under credited, Mac McAnally is well deserving to be considered a notable Mississippian.