Wes McClelland - Biography 2006:
Four years ago in August 2001, Wes McClelland was on the verge of fulfilling his dream. Wes, then 28 years old, was ready to literally break out in song. With previous financial investors in place and an album of 11 original songs ready for manufacturing, Wes was prepared to begin his professional career as a country singer-songwriter. Signed to Sun Entertainment, which owned the legendary Sun Records and Plantation Records, Wes felt this was the perfect fit for him and his brand of country music. For a young man from the small Southeast Texas town of Orange, this was big…really BIG!
Then on September 11, 2001, everyone’s plans changed. With the devastating tragedy to the World Trade Center, businesses were hesitant to make any new moves. Sun Entertainment and Wes’ investment team decided to delay the release of his inaugural album for about 6 months to let the financial community settle down and so they did.
In December 2001 tragedy hit closer to home. Wes’ dad, his greatest fan, suffered a heart attack and passed away. With the passing of his dad, Wes decided to pack it in and return to his hometown of Orange to be near his mother, Judy and the rest of his family. Shortly after moving home, Wes went to his record company, investors and everyone involved in his career to explain why he had decided to back out of the project. “It was an extremely difficult decision,†Wes said, but the passion he held for his music for so long was no longer in him. In February of 2002, Wes went to his friend and lone remaining investor and asked for some help retaining the rights to his master recordings. Wes needed to use the remaining funds to purchase the original recordings of his album from Sun Entertainment. So, without hesitation his friend and business partner allowed him to return to Nashville, TN and arranged for Wes to purchase the rights to his music. Although Wes didn’t even have a completed copy of the album, he now owned the rights to his music.
In late February, 2002 Wes and his wife Michelle moved back to Orange from Houston, where she was working as a professional in the recruiting industry, while Wes pursed his singing career. They decided to purchase a Texas Historical home and settle back into life in small town Texas. Shortly after, the young couple decided to start a family and soon, baby Weston McClelland was born. Wes was so proud to have a son and name sake to carry on the McClelland name and family tradition. A year after Weston was born, the couple decided to open their beautiful home to the public as a Bed & Breakfast. While the business was getting started, they both continued to work at their jobs.
That’s where Wes met Paula Rollison. Both were hired to open the new Orange, Texas Home Depot. Working in adjacent departments, the two chatted often and soon became good friends. Paula was excited about Wes’ plans for the B&B, “Les Vitraux†and impressed with his enthusiasm about Texas history, his home and the City of Orange. “It’s not often that a person of his age has such an interest in the old days,†Paula said. One day the conversation turned to music. Wes mentioned offhandedly, that he had written the perfect wedding song. One question led to another and finally he told Paula of his plans for a music career that were never realized. “I was a bit skeptical,†said Paula, but she kept after him to let her hear this perfect wedding song. After a few months, Wes finally agreed to let Paula hear his music.
Before handing over the CD to Paula, Wes explained not to expect a whole lot; it was only a rough demo cut. She was astounded by his voice. “It’s so amazingly clear and pure. He has an uncanny ability to change his singing style to suit the mood of any song style,†explained Paula. After listening to the CD, she had decided he had indeed written the perfect wedding song titled, “My Everything,†which appears on Wes’ debut album.
Paula returned to work and told Wes he shouldn’t hide his God given talents. He agreed and added that he believes God has him and his family’s best interests at heart, everything happens for a reason; some can’t easily be explained. Perhaps he wasn’t meant to begin his music career back in 2001.
Now, four years later, Wes is more mature and has a firm grasp on life. He believes that God is working in his life and understands all the elements involved in releasing his CD and all of the subsequent actions related to it.
When asked if he still writes songs, Wes simply replied, “I have enough material for more albums than I could ever possibly record in my lifetime.†Wes is ready to try the music business again. However, this time he wants to maintain control over his career. Wes plans to release his debut album that was never released on his own record label Cowcreek Records, titled “When I Think of Himâ€, in memory of his late father, Joe McClelland. Wes has his plan, his goals are set and it’s time for this musician to realize his dream.
Check out the artist's website:
http://officialwesmcclelland.com
Track List:
1. 7 Wonders Of My World
2. Cow Creek Party
3. Wings Of A Dream
4. Through The Years
5. When I Think Of Him
6. Country Man
7. This Thing Called Love
8. When I Look At You
9. Southern Girl
10. Holding On
11. My Everything
12. Starting Over
Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
Four years ago in August 2001, Wes McClelland was on the verge of fulfilling his dream. Wes, then 28 years old, was ready to literally break out in song. With previous financial investors in place and an album of 11 original songs ready for manufacturing, Wes was prepared to begin his professional career as a country singer-songwriter. Signed to Sun Entertainment, which owned the legendary Sun Records and Plantation Records, Wes felt this was the perfect fit for him and his brand of country music. For a young man from the small Southeast Texas town of Orange, this was big…really BIG!
Then on September 11, 2001, everyone’s plans changed. With the devastating tragedy to the World Trade Center, businesses were hesitant to make any new moves. Sun Entertainment and Wes’ investment team decided to delay the release of his inaugural album for about 6 months to let the financial community settle down and so they did.
In December 2001 tragedy hit closer to home. Wes’ dad, his greatest fan, suffered a heart attack and passed away. With the passing of his dad, Wes decided to pack it in and return to his hometown of Orange to be near his mother, Judy and the rest of his family. Shortly after moving home, Wes went to his record company, investors and everyone involved in his career to explain why he had decided to back out of the project. “It was an extremely difficult decision,†Wes said, but the passion he held for his music for so long was no longer in him. In February of 2002, Wes went to his friend and lone remaining investor and asked for some help retaining the rights to his master recordings. Wes needed to use the remaining funds to purchase the original recordings of his album from Sun Entertainment. So, without hesitation his friend and business partner allowed him to return to Nashville, TN and arranged for Wes to purchase the rights to his music. Although Wes didn’t even have a completed copy of the album, he now owned the rights to his music.
In late February, 2002 Wes and his wife Michelle moved back to Orange from Houston, where she was working as a professional in the recruiting industry, while Wes pursed his singing career. They decided to purchase a Texas Historical home and settle back into life in small town Texas. Shortly after, the young couple decided to start a family and soon, baby Weston McClelland was born. Wes was so proud to have a son and name sake to carry on the McClelland name and family tradition. A year after Weston was born, the couple decided to open their beautiful home to the public as a Bed & Breakfast. While the business was getting started, they both continued to work at their jobs.
That’s where Wes met Paula Rollison. Both were hired to open the new Orange, Texas Home Depot. Working in adjacent departments, the two chatted often and soon became good friends. Paula was excited about Wes’ plans for the B&B, “Les Vitraux†and impressed with his enthusiasm about Texas history, his home and the City of Orange. “It’s not often that a person of his age has such an interest in the old days,†Paula said. One day the conversation turned to music. Wes mentioned offhandedly, that he had written the perfect wedding song. One question led to another and finally he told Paula of his plans for a music career that were never realized. “I was a bit skeptical,†said Paula, but she kept after him to let her hear this perfect wedding song. After a few months, Wes finally agreed to let Paula hear his music.
Before handing over the CD to Paula, Wes explained not to expect a whole lot; it was only a rough demo cut. She was astounded by his voice. “It’s so amazingly clear and pure. He has an uncanny ability to change his singing style to suit the mood of any song style,†explained Paula. After listening to the CD, she had decided he had indeed written the perfect wedding song titled, “My Everything,†which appears on Wes’ debut album.
Paula returned to work and told Wes he shouldn’t hide his God given talents. He agreed and added that he believes God has him and his family’s best interests at heart, everything happens for a reason; some can’t easily be explained. Perhaps he wasn’t meant to begin his music career back in 2001.
Now, four years later, Wes is more mature and has a firm grasp on life. He believes that God is working in his life and understands all the elements involved in releasing his CD and all of the subsequent actions related to it.
When asked if he still writes songs, Wes simply replied, “I have enough material for more albums than I could ever possibly record in my lifetime.†Wes is ready to try the music business again. However, this time he wants to maintain control over his career. Wes plans to release his debut album that was never released on his own record label Cowcreek Records, titled “When I Think of Himâ€, in memory of his late father, Joe McClelland. Wes has his plan, his goals are set and it’s time for this musician to realize his dream.
Check out the artist's website:
http://officialwesmcclelland.com
Track List:
1. 7 Wonders Of My World
2. Cow Creek Party
3. Wings Of A Dream
4. Through The Years
5. When I Think Of Him
6. Country Man
7. This Thing Called Love
8. When I Look At You
9. Southern Girl
10. Holding On
11. My Everything
12. Starting Over
Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
- COUNTRY: Modern Country
- COUNTRY: Traditional Country
- SOLO MALE ARTIST