Rinker’s Golf Tips Feb 16th Edwin McCain. It was great having singer, songwriter, guitarist Edwin McCain on the show today. We’ve been friends for about 15 years and have had a lot of fun playing golf and music.
Edwin said he learned how to play golf with his dad on a nine hole par three that was part of the Greenville Country Club in Greenville, South Carolina. He said the par three is now only three holes and he goes out and plays golf with his two sons whenever he can. He said you can find a lot out about people playing a round of golf and all his good business deals have happened out on the golf course.
I asked him about taking a classical guitar course at Coastal Carolina. He said it wasn’t much of a classical guitar course, but his teacher left a lasting impression on him that had a major effect on his career. Tom Yoder, his teacher, asked each student to learn a song and then perform it for the class. After Edwin played his song, Tom came up to him and said I think you have what it takes to make it. Edwin talked about how powerful it was when Tom basically gave him “permission” to go out and be great. Edwin said, “sometimes that’s all it takes to inspire people. Just give them permission to be great!”
We talked about the song, “I Could Not Ask For More” written by Diane Warren and how that came to be. Edwin said when they asked him to do the song he didn’t want to do it and he didn’t even know who Diane Warren was. (She’s written 90 top ten hits) He wanted to record his songs. When they said we will pay you to record it for a movie, Edwin finally said ok. The song was his second top 40 hit and continues to be played at many weddings around the country.
I asked him where he learned his great rhythm and he said listening to Earth, Wind, and Fire. He talked about meeting Darius Rucker and Mark Bryan and going to open mic nights at Muldoon’s in Columbia, SC and always asking them if he could play. This was before Mark and Darius formed Hootie and the Blowfish. They have been great friends ever since and Darius sang on Edwin’s fist single, “Solitude.”
We had a head pro call from the Dye course at Barefoot Plantation where the Monday After the Masters is played hosted by Hootie and the Blowfish. He was very thankful for all the money that the tournament has raised for junior golf. Edwin told a story of his caddie one year there, Justin Wheelon who is now an actor, and how much he enjoyed the caddies, athletes, celebrities, and pros that play each year. For more information on Edwin McCain visit www.Edwin.com.