Big Dave McLean

Big Dave McLean (born August 23, 1952) is a Canadian blues guitarist, harmonicist, singer and songwriter. A veteran performer, his work has had an influence on many western Canadian blues musicians, including Colin James and Wide Mouth Mason. Notable McLean songs include “She’s Got the Stuff”, “Kanadiana”, “Up On Waverly”, and “St. Mary At Main”.

Big Dave McLean

Born

August 23, 1952 (age 68)

Yorkton, Saskatchewan, Canada

Origin

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Genres

Blues

Occupation(s)

Guitarist, harmonicist, singer and songwriter

Instruments

Guitar, harmonica, vocals

Years active

1970s–present

Labels

Stony Plain Records, Black Hen Music

Billboard noted that “Big Dave’s been the quintessential behind-the-scene bluesman. He’s done more to shape the Western Canadian blues scene than perhaps any other artist”.

In 2019, Big Dave McLean was awarded the Order of Canada for his musical influence of Delta and Chicago blues and for mentoring musicians.

Life and career Edit

McLean was born in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, Canada, to a concert pianist mother, and a Presbyterian minister father. They later lived in Moose Jaw, before relocating to Winnipeg, Manitoba when Dave was at the age of 10. Introduced to the blues as a teenager via his older brother’s record collection, the two siblings travelled to the Mariposa Folk Festival in Toronto in 1969. Whilst there, John P. Hammond gave McLean an impromptu lesson on guitar playing, to supplement the latter’s rudimentary efforts thus far at playing the harmonica. This meeting saw McLean learning how to play Bo Diddley’s, “I’m a Man”. McLean much later recalled the incident stating that Hammond was “one of the most courteous gentlemen on this planet, you know, totally helpful, inspiring”.

McLean starting playing at the Regina Folk Club, and at the Winnipeg Folk Festival, where he gained experience before releasing his debut album, Muddy Waters For President (1989), which was recorded at the Bud’s On Broadway club in Saskatoon. McLean had previously opened for his musical hero, Muddy Waters.

The follow up was For The Blues… Always (1998), an attempt to spread his music to a wider audience. The album was produced by Colin James and recorded in Vancouver, with musicians James (guitar), Norm Fisher (bass), Eric Webster (piano) and Chris Norquiest (drums), all augmenting McLean’s work. The track listing included McLean’s cover versions of “Little Red Rooster” (Willie Dixon), “Just Your Fool” (Little Walter), “Dust My Broom” (Elmore James), “Rollin’ and Tumblin'” (Muddy Waters) and “Cakewalk Into Town” (Taj Mahal). The three-day recording’s budget was only $1,600. In addition to performing and recording, McLean spent around 20 years regularly doing odd jobs, such as construction work, to supplement his income.

In 1998, he played in a duo with Tim Williams at the Calgary Folk Music Festival. McLean has also appeared solo at the Sasktel Saskatchewan Jazz Fest.

Blues from the Middle (2003) was his second Stony Plains release, and included guest contributions from Sue Foley and Duke Robillard. It was followed by Acoustic Blues (Got ‘Em From The Bottom) in 2008.

Faded But Not Gone was released in 2014 on Black Hen Music, and dealt with the aftermath of the deaths of McLean’s mother and brother. Recorded in Nashville, the album contained contributions from Colin Linden, Colin James, and Kevin McKendree, with Ann and Regina McCrary on backing vocals.

In 2015, McLean starred in a low budget film documentary, Ain’t About the Money, exploring the trials and tribulations in performing the blues.

Other ventures Edit

Patrick Friesen wrote Singer, a docu-drama on Richard Manuel for CBC Radio Manitoba (1989), which featured McLean; as well as Voice, a 1996 radio documentary (featuring McLean and Tracey Dahl), by CBC Radio Manitoba and produced by Andrea Ratuski.

In 1991, Saturday Night Blues, a compilation album of recordings by Canadian blues performers, was released by Stony Plain Records and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. It contained the Big Dave McLean and the Muddy-Tones track, “T.V. Preacher Blues”. In 2006, McLean contributed the track “Howlin’ for My Baby” to Saturday Night Blues: 20 Years, a double compilation album also released by CBC.

In 2005, The Perpetrators contributed to a tribute album to McLean, entitled We Best Choose to Pick the Blues.

Awards Edit

Whisky Award, 2005

Runner-up for Singer Of The Year

Western Canadian Music Award, 2004

Outstanding Blues Recording – Blues from the Middle

Prairie Music Award, 1999

Outstanding Blues Recording – For the Blues… Always

Great Canadian Blues Award, 1998

Juno Award

1992 (winner – Saturday Night Blues)

2009 (nominated)

2016 (nominated)

Maple Blues Award nominations:

Acoustic Act Of The Year, 1998, 1999, 2000 & 2003

Blues With A Feeling Award, 2007 (winner)

Toronto Blues Society Lifetime Achievement Award

Order of Canada, 2019