The McLain Family Band sings into the Hall of Fame
Hallie Adams - The Trailblazer

NASHVILLE, Tenn  The “Kentucky Wind” has blown The McLain Family Band up to their newest achievement in a career spanning over 50 years.

The McLain Family Band has played in 64 countries, in every state and is now a part of the 2024 induction class for the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame. The band performed at the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America on Friday when the announcement was made.

“The impact, the tears in their eyes and they are totally shocked makes me know that that board and I have made an excellent choice,” said executive director of the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame Jessica Blankenship. “You can induct just about anyone, but when you got someone like the McLains, that honors the heritage and honors the Hall of Fame and they know what it means, that’s always awesome.”

To be inducted, someone must be nominated with a submission letter or nomination form. According to the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame website, each inductee must be born or live in Kentucky and participate in the music industry in a national or international capacity.

Daxson Lewis, a band member and director of Morehead State's Kentucky Center for Traditional Music said the band has all these qualities.

“Their career has spanned over five decades and includes everything from performing with symphony orchestras to working with the Department of State on international tours and have traveled now to 64 countries,” said Lewis.

As a student, Lewis was taught under the McLain siblings' traditional music mentor Ruth McLain Smith and former KCTM director Raymond McLain. Lewis was a fill-in banjo player and was later asked to be a permanent member of the band.

He said they have always made him feel like a member of the family. 

“When we are together it’s not like there is the McLain family and Daxson, it’s the McLain family and I am part of that,” said Lewis. “They have always made that very apparent.”

Nominees must also shine a positive light on Kentucky music and life-long fan and friend of the McLains, Jodi Miller, said that rings true about The McLain Family Band. 

“If that doesn’t encompass The McLain Family Band, I don’t know what does,” said Miller. “The fact that they are genuine, they care and they want to give back and I think that is an important thing to talk about.”

After the announcement was made, the McLain siblings’ first thought was how their parents would react.

“We are very grateful and it’s wonderful validation for our father, too, because he worked all his life at this,” said Raymond McLain, who co-wrote “Kentucky Wind” with his father Raymond K. McLain. “Our parents are very much with us right now.”

The induction ceremony will take place at Renfro Valley on October 26. Alice McLain White said it is not just The McLain Family Band that is being inducted, but everyone who has helped them along the way.

“This is something that is not just us alone because we have learned from so many other people, “said White. “Our ability to play is built upon so many other people who gave us tips on how to do this or that or watching and talking with them while sitting on the front porch. This is an honor that we received, but we receive it for a lot of people.”