Artist info:
Also known as
Verified yes
Genre−
Rank2,154 (new)
Albums22
Songs37
AboutOriginally named Charlotte, Charly McClain was given her masculine
moniker by neighborhood friends in Memphis, and she also used it when
she started playing hotel lounges. When Epic Records decided it sounded
catchier than Charlotte, it became a permanent professional banner.
McClain's father had tuberculosis when she was eight, and, since she was
under age for visitation rights at the hospital, she had to communicate with
him through a tape recorder. That inspired her interest in recording, and by
age 17 she was a regular on the club circuit. Signed to her first recording
contract in 1976, McClain's distinct vocal sound provided an edge in
recognizability — as did her appearance. She hit country's Top Ten for the
first time in 1978 with "That's What You Do to Me," followed up with 1980's
"Men," and hit the top spot one year later with "Who's Cheatin' Who." She
stayed in the upper reaches during 1982 with "Dancing Your Memory Away"
and "The Very Best Is You," then hit number one again in 1983 with her
Mickey Gilley duet "Paradise Tonight." McClain married former soap star
Wayne Massey in 1984, and their own duet ("With Just One Look in Your
Eyes") reached number five. Her last number one came with 1985's "Radio
Heart," but she continued to chart until her last recording came in 1989.
moniker by neighborhood friends in Memphis, and she also used it when
she started playing hotel lounges. When Epic Records decided it sounded
catchier than Charlotte, it became a permanent professional banner.
McClain's father had tuberculosis when she was eight, and, since she was
under age for visitation rights at the hospital, she had to communicate with
him through a tape recorder. That inspired her interest in recording, and by
age 17 she was a regular on the club circuit. Signed to her first recording
contract in 1976, McClain's distinct vocal sound provided an edge in
recognizability — as did her appearance. She hit country's Top Ten for the
first time in 1978 with "That's What You Do to Me," followed up with 1980's
"Men," and hit the top spot one year later with "Who's Cheatin' Who." She
stayed in the upper reaches during 1982 with "Dancing Your Memory Away"
and "The Very Best Is You," then hit number one again in 1983 with her
Mickey Gilley duet "Paradise Tonight." McClain married former soap star
Wayne Massey in 1984, and their own duet ("With Just One Look in Your
Eyes") reached number five. Her last number one came with 1985's "Radio
Heart," but she continued to chart until her last recording came in 1989.