Rowdy McCarran

BIOGRAPHY
ROWDY McCARRAN
Rowdy McCarran can claim a lifelong devotion to making music. That was evident early
on, from the age of three in fact, when his mom would observe him getting into a groove
whenever music was played in their house.
That joy and excitement never diminished, and today Rowdy continues to celebrate those
sounds courtesy of his new album, the aptly-titled HERE. Recorded at Skeleton Key
Studio in Las Vegas, it was produced and arranged by Rob Hegel — a former staff writer
for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame legend Don Kirshner, and composer of hits for Air Supply,
Sarah Dash and Grease 2 — and Bobby Ferrari, who also engineered, mixed and
mastered the project.
Due for release on February 6, 2024, the album will be preceded by the first single,
auspiciously titled “I Drink.”
HERE offers the latest example of the spirit and variety that inspires Rowdy’s devotion to
making music. It shares a down-home, no-nonsense sound flush with grit, determination,
honesty and emotion. It can be rousing on the one hand, reflective on the other, but
through it all, from first song to last, his drive and deliberation are never in doubt.
“I’m driven by a desire to make a difference in people's lives,” Rowdy says. “If I can
touch someone’s heart and transform what might otherwise be a bad day into a better day,
then I feel that I am doing my job. Seeing the smiles from the people I’m performing for
makes me feel super happy, because music is a message from my heart. I try to provide
songs that have meaning, no matter the age or their background of those that are there to
enjoy them. I consider it a gift, and one that I’m happy to give freely and enthusiastically.
That’s simply who I am.”
Rowdy was introduced to Nashville renowned producer Fred Vail, an early mentor who
welcomed him to his iconic Treasure Isle Studio where Rowdy recorded his debut album,
Eyes Wide Open. That was the beginning of a journey that began, oddly enough, with
trumpet lessons in the seventh grade. Although his interest in the instrument quickly
faded (“I decided I really wanted to be a navy pilot instead,” he says now), he found his
voice — literally and figuratively while performing in the church choir.
Rowdy’s career took off in earnest after he relocated to Las Vegas in 2006, the city where
he currently resides. His initial efforts at making music found him playing in bars and
smaller venues for very little money, but he now says in retrospect that he was willing to
do whatever it took in order to pay his dues.
“I knew that if I wanted to get where I needed to go, I would have to acquire the
experience of performing before a live audience,” he reflects. “I would have to pull
myself up by my bootstraps and move forward.”
And that he did. Rowdy won various battle of the bands contests three years in a row, and
in return, was given the opportunities to open for a number of high profile headliners,
among them, Aaron Watson, Brett Eldridge, Jack Ingram, Sara Darling, Parmalee, Love
& Theft, and any number of others. As a result, he was able to acquire a loyal following
and fanbase of his own, one with which he continues to build a bond.
Rowdy was chosen as best artist two years running by the National Finals Rodeo and was
selected as the pre and post party entertainment for events headlined by Randy Travis and
Kenny Rogers. In addition, Rowdy's music has been featured in the media — courtesy of
television stations FOX5, KWU-TV, ABC KTNV, and radio stations 95.5 The Bull, 102.7
The Coyote and 92.3 KOMP.
So too, it’s little wonder that Tim Abrams, Vice President of Operations for Golden
Entertainment, owner of various Nevada casinos, wrote, “The Rowdy Band has been a
consistent draw to our local and outer market segments. Rowdy shows a measure of
professionalism from sound check to stage presence. Rowdy is high energy talent that
engages the crowd [by] providing the personal dynamic often missed in [a] venue of our
size.”
Indeed, Rowdy’s talent and tenacity speaks for itself. And it speaks loud and clear on
HERE!