Pepper Daniels, Director of Programming
The KRUSH 92.5 FM, San Luis Obispo, CA
“McClean's music style, which finds itself deeply rooted in Americana, could not come at a better time. In an industry that still makes the majority of its profits from popular music, music fans are finding themselves turning back to their roots… His guitar skills are apparent of years of training, and his lyrics, mostly about relationships and ‘love stuff,’ are genuine.”
ABOUT CHI McCLEAN
Chi McClean was born and raised in New York before heading to California in a beat up truck looking for a change. Settling in San Francisco, he began to develop an honest, introspective approach to his songwriting that ultimately formed the building blocks for his debut release, Something Out There, his second, solo-acoustic release, A Thing Or Three, and his latest full-band release, Let Me In.
Currently based in Nashville, Tennessee, Chi writes acoustic rock songs marked by a haunting Southern style. Many of his songs take a straightforward, unflinching look in the mirror. Influenced by The Allman Brothers Band, The Black Crowes, Led Zeppelin, Free, The Faces, Jimi Hendrix, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, Chi's music borrows from the timeless tones and song structures that formed the pillars of the classic rock scene while presenting listeners with a contemporary and wholly unique perspective.
Chi's latest, full-band release, Let Me In - currently available on compact disc and online via all major streaming platforms - is the fully realized sound that Chi has been chasing since he first picked up the guitar. The album features eight original tracks recorded by Grammy nominated engineer Andrija Tokic (The Alabama Shakes, Hurray For The Riff Raff) at The Bomb Shelter Studio in Nashville, TN and Grammy winning engineer Richie Biggs (The Civil Wars, The Lone Bellow, Holly Williams, Switchfoot) at The Chapel in Nashville, TN. Vocals were recorded by Grammy winning engineer Sam Ashworth (The Civil Wars, The Lone Bellow, Holly Williams, Switchfoot) at The Art House in Nashville, TN. Additional tracking was done by Hauk Heimdallsman and Michael Shubin at The Nest in Los Angeles, CA. The album was mixed by Richie Biggs at The Chapel in Nashville, TN and mastered by Grammy winning engineer Richard Dodd (Tom Petty, Jason Aldean, Wilco, Roy Orbison, George Harrison) at Richard Dodd Studios in Nashville, TN.
Capturing a classic sound akin to the Laurel Canyon California country scene, mostly on 2" analog tape, Let Me In injects an entirely new energy into Chi's writing with the help of some local, Nashville, TN players including Audley Freed on electric guitars (Sheryl Crow, The Black Crowes, Peter Frampton), Robert Kearns on bass guitars (Sheryl Crow, Lynyrd Skynyrd), Jimmy Wallace on keyboards (The Wallflowers, Kenny Wayne Shepherd), Jeff "Shakey" Fowlkes on drums and percussion (Kid Rock), Rob Ickes on resophonic guitar (Alison Kraus, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard), Joe Spivey on mandolin, banjo and fiddle (Merle Haggard, Hank Williams Jr., Kris Kristofferson), The McCrary Sisters on background vocals (Eric Church, Jonny Lang, Robert Randolph), and Sam Ashworth on background vocals (The Civil Wars, The Lone Bellow, Holly Williams, Switchfoot). From Los Angeles, CA, Kitten Kuroi contributed additional background vocals (Natasha Bedingfield).
Even before its official release, Let Me In had already received critical acclaim at select radio stations across the United States and had been chosen as a featured new release on Amazon Music for the week of the album release.
In addition to a touring schedule that has at one point boasted as many as 180+ performances a year, Chi has performed live on several television and radio broadcasts, including a live, in-studio performance on the nationally televised CBS program The Early Show. Chi's music has also been featured on the Virgin America in-flight entertainment system for all national flights throughout the United States and on the hit television series from The CW, Hart of Dixie.
Recently, Chi wrote, engineered, and produced a full-length release for his throw-back instrumental surf rock project titled The Chi-Tones™, who's debut release Salsipuedes (September 2025) has received enthusiastic airplay across the United States. In addition to being offered on all streaming platforms worldwide, The Chi-Tones released a limited-pressing, 12" eco-vinyl record, now available on Bandcamp while supplies last. The Chi-Tones are currently set to release a five-song Christmas EP titled A Christmas Wave on Friday, November 21st, 2025 while actively writing and recording for a follow-up, full length release due sometime in 2026. Look for The Chi-Tones wherever you listen to music online. Visit The Chi-Tones website for more information.
Chi McClean proudly endorses Taylor Guitars, Elixir Strings, Deering Banjos and Franklin Strap.