**Freddie McClendon live at Eddie's Attic w/ Billy Simons Jr!** Freddie McClendon is a singer-songwriter from Greenwood, South Carolina. He first fell in love with music as a child living in a retirement home where his dad worked, spending his earliest years dressing up as Elvis and performing for the residents who encouraged him to perform. After his father’s shocking murder in 2023, McClendon turned to writing songs as a way to process his grief. In 2024 he released Present Memories. In 2025 he appeared on Season 23 of American Idol, performing his original song “You Never Loved Him,” which moved Carrie Underwood to tears and prompted Luke Bryan to call him “the next Paul Simon.” McClendon’s songwriting often blends personal history with observations about the South, most notably in his viral single King Henry, which challenges the “Good Ole Boys” system and generational corruption in South Carolina. His live shows have grown steadily, selling out in numerous markets across the southeast. His unreleased tracks “Drinkin’ Crimes,” “Rambler,” and “Lover” have already drawn millions of views ahead of their official release, and he plans to release new music throughout 2026. In early 2026, he will also join SUSTO on their North American tour as a supporting act. \-- ***Billy Simons Jr.*** is a singer, songwriter, musician and illustrator. He writes the kind of songs that land quietly and stay with you. Rooted in the American folk tradition but sharply attuned to the present moment, his work blends clear-eyed storytelling with melodies built to carry a room without adornment. In the past year alone, Simons released three full-length albums — a prolific stretch that reflects both discipline and urgency. Across those records, his writing wrestles politics and current affairs with conviction, doubt, humor, and grace, pairing plainspoken lyrics with melodies that feel timeless rather than nostalgic. Performing solo acoustic, Simons leans into the strength of the song itself — voice, guitar, and lyric at the center. In an attentive listening room, his music unfolds conversationally: direct, unvarnished, and deeply human. At Eddie’s Attic, he brings an intimate set of originals shaped for listeners who value substance, story, and the shared experience of live music. Presented by Eddie's Attic. This is an all ages event.