Terry McMillan (musician)

Terry Lee McMillan (October 12, 1953 in Lexington, North Carolina – February 2, 2007) was an American country musician who played harmonica and percussion. In 1973, he became a member of Eddy Raven's band in Nashville, and worked with Raven until 1974. He then started working with Chet Atkins playing harmonica with his touring show. Later, he toured with Jerry Reed and Jeannie C. Riley before becoming a very in-demand session musician. In the 1970s, he appeared on many albums including the recordings of Mickey Newbury and Gary Stewart. He was also featured many times on Trinity Broadcasting in the 1990's

Terry McMillan
Birth nameTerry Lee McMillan
Born(1953-10-12)October 12, 1953
OriginLexington, North Carolina, United States
DiedFebruary 2, 2007(2007-02-02) (aged 53)
GenresCountry Blues Gospel
Occupation(s)Musician
InstrumentsHarmonica
drums
percussion
Years active1973–2007
LabelsRCA, Step One, Giant
Associated actsEddy Raven Garth Brooks Amy Grant Larry Carlton

Career

Chet Atkins signed Terry as a solo artist for RCA Records in the early 1980s, charting at number 85 on Hot Country Songs with "Love Is a Full Time Thing".[1] He returned to being a session musician, appearing live with, and on numerous albums for, artists including Ray Charles, Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, George Jones, Merle Haggard, Reba McEntire, Randy Travis, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Kenny Chesney, Emmylou Harris, Neil Young, Waylon Jennings, J. J. Cale, Trisha Yearwood, Amy Grant and many others. In 1993, he played at President Bill Clinton's inaugural ball, with David Pack’s (Ambrosia) All Star Band, giving a solo harmonica performance of "Amazing Grace". He recorded an album for Step One Records in 1993, with Nashville's Christ Church Choir. McMillan became one of country music's most popular session and in demand musicians on harmonica and percussion of all time.[2][3]

After his family's house was destroyed in a 1992 house fire, McMillan became a devout Christian and focused extensively on inspirational music. In 1993, he released his first album, I've Got a Feeling, on Step One Records. He also released an album for Giant Records, Somebody's Comin' in 1997. In the years that followed, he became a frequent guest on Christian television programs. He died at the age of 53 under suspicious circumstances and is buried in Smoky Mountain Memory Gardens in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Discography

Albums
Title Details
I've Got a Feeling
Somebody's Comin'

Singles
Year Single US Country Album
1981 "All I Really Want to Do" — singles only
1982 "Love is a Full Time Thing" 85
1993 "I've Got a Feeling" — I've Got a Feeling
1997 "Somebody's Comin'" — Somebody's Comin'

Collaborations

Notes
  1. Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 274. ISBN 0-89820-177-2.
  2. Christ Church Choir Archived 2007-03-14 at the Wayback Machine
  3. Harmonica Wizard Terry McMillan Dead at 53 Feb. 4, 2007
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