Edwin McCain's ascent into the big time came after years of working the southeast bar-band circuit, mirroring the experience of fellow South Carolinians Hootie & the Blowfish. Playing simple, acoustic guitar-based Roots pop that mixes earnest ballads with mildly anthemic three-chord rockers, McCain's distinguished himself in the homogenized field of "frat rock," "Hootie rock" or "bland-core" (as some detractors have called it) thanks to his full-bodied, easygoing voice and no-frills...  [+]