Mac Arnold & Plate Full O’ Blues

Even if you think you haven’t listened to Mac Arnold, we bet you have! If you’ve ever heard the theme to Sanford and Son, then you’ve heard Mac Arnold play! Mac Arnold was born into a large family of sharecroppers on June 30th, 1942 in Ware Place, South Carolina.
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In 1952, Mac and one of his 13 siblings crafted their first gas can guitar from a steel gas can, wood, nails and screen wire. This was the catalyst that launched Mac into the music industry. His high school band, “J Floyd & The Shamrocks” often invited James Brown to join them on his piano. After deciding to make music his profession he moved to Chicago where he eventually crossed paths and was hired by none other than Muddy Waters.
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During the time Mac played with Muddy Waters, the band featured many famous guests such as Eric Clapton and Paul Butterfield and had the opportunity to share the stage with Howlin’ Wolf, Elmore James, Jimmy Reed and Big Mama Thornton. He also played on albums with John Lee Hooker & Otis Spann while with Muddy Waters.
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After his time with Muddy Waters, Mac formed the Soul Invaders and provided back up for The Tempations and BB King. He then moved out to Los Angeles where he worked on the set of Soul Train from 1971-1975 as well as the theme for Sanford and Son. Soon after Mac retired to his home town of Pelzer, South Carolina to return to farming until 2006.
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Mac formed Mac Arnold and Plate Full o’ Blues after a group of local musicians urged him to start performing again. If you attended our grand opening event in 2019, you watched them perform for us! In 2014, Mac was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of South Carolina.
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Mac and his band put created the I Can Do Anything Foundation to preserve music and arts in the public school system. Catch Mac and the Plate Full O’ Blues on our outdoor stage from 7-9 this Friday, October 8th! Bring your lawn chair to guarantee your seating!