Cecil McClellan, Jr.
Guitar
I was born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in Colcord, West Virginia (Raleigh County near Beckley), with three sisters and one brother. I moved to Lakeland, Florida, to attend Southeastern College. After graduating, I went on to get a Masters of Education from Saint Leo University.
My mother taught me to play the guitar at age seven. The first song I played was "Born Again." The first song I played and sang in church was "Jesus is Coming Soon" at age eight.
I was saved in 1982 on top of Spruce Mountain, Raleigh County, West Virginia. My home church was Sycamore Church of God; my father and mother pioneered this church in 1975. Our first Sunday open, it was just Mom, Dad, my three sisters, my brother, myself, the one and only deacon, his wife, and his children. The church had wooden slatted pews, a potbelly stove for heat, and a path to the restroom. I considered it a special blessing to be born into such a wonderful Christian family. I thank my God in heaven for our love for each other.
By age 16, I was playing guitar and singing lead and tenor vocals in a group called the Clearwaters. Throughout middle and high school, I was musically influenced by the Lilly Brothers (Everett Lilly played two stints with Flatt and Scruggs). Everett was my school bus driver. I played music with Everett Lilly's boys and Don Stover's nephews. I was also musically influenced by Duke Stewart (of the Stewart family) on guitar and baritone vocals. Duke is currently with Three Generations.
I married my college sweetheart, Kathy Carpenter (a 5th grade math teacher and cheerleading coach). The greatest blessing ever bestowed upon me by the Lord other than my salvation was the Godly wife he gave to me. Kathy is my best friend and the love of my life. The icing on the top of the cake is the four beautiful and Godly daughters He has blessed us with; Mandi, Kayla, Hannah, and Carly.
My career has been in our area’s school system. I taught and coached basketball at a local high school, became Dean of students, Athletic Director, and then Director of the Lake Gibson Senior High School ARCS (Academic Research Charter School). In July of 2004, I began my present position as Principal of Kathleen Senior High.
My interests include biking, running, hiking and walking with my wife; camping with my family and friends; watching WVU and Marshall University Athletics on television; and listening to Gospel Bluegrass.
The purpose and desire in my life is to be a Christian witness to my family and others; to be a role model for young people to follow; to bring hope to a dying world. Let our lives be a light shining out through the night. Let us help struggling souls to enter God's fold. My joy is to present the Gospel in song and in testimony, playing music to glorify Christ.
My favorite passage of the bible is Matthew 6:33 "Seek Ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you."
My personal motto is known as the Golden rule: "Treat others the way you want to be treated."
Never Fade is a dream come true. When I retired from coaching basketball in 1998, it was our prayer that God would continue to use us in some arena. God gave us the desires of our heart. I consider these men and their families as part of my extended family. I thank God for bringing us together to be used as servants to His calling. These years with Never Fade have been wonderful to say the least. They are the best musicians I have ever played with. Our greatest attribute is the bond and kindred spirit we have with each other. I count it all joy every time I pick and sing with these fine Christian men.
I would like to thank my wife and daughters for their love,
support, and prayers over these years of ministry. Thank you, Aunt Shirley, for all your support--for keeping
us organized and going in the right direction and for the good country cooking.
Thanks, mom and dad, for the Christian heritage and the musical talents you
shared with me. Thanks to all our faithful fans for the years of love and
support. Thank you, Calvary Free-will Baptist Church, for getting us together.
Thank you, John Johnson, for introducing me to Ernie. Thank you, Ginger Corda
and Mike Baker, Jr., for putting together this web site.