Charlotte Denise "Charly" McClain (born March 26, 1956)[1] is a retired American country music singer, best known for a string of hits during the 1980s.

[2] As she was under age to comply with hospital visiting policy, she had to communicate with him through a tape recorder.

[2] She began her musical career at age 12 performing with her brother Mike and their band, Charlotte & the Volunteers.

Her first TV appearance was on the local WBBJ morning show in Jackson, Tennessee.

By the age of 17, she was a regular on the club circuit, and appeared at the Memphis show Mid-South Jamboree from 1973–1975.

McClain's distinct vocal sound provided an edge in recognizability—as did her attractive appearance.

In 1979 McClain released Alone Too Long, which included the Top-20 hits "When A Love Ain't Right" and "You're a Part of Me".

The Women Get Lonely album followed in 1980, featuring the Top 10 hit "Men",[2] which peaked at No.

[3] In 1981, McClain scored three Top-10 hits off her Surround Me with Love album: the title track, "Sleepin' with the Radio On", and "The Very Best Is You".

McClain's lonely life on the road was also chronicled in a 1981 HBO special titled So You Want to Be a Star.

After having a series of hit singles in 1984, McClain released another best-selling album, Radio Heart in 1985.

McClain married former soap star Wayne Massey in 1984, and their duet "With Just One Look in Your Eyes" reached number five.

Preferring to spend more time with her husband and their families, McClain retired completely from touring, public appearances, and performances in the early 1990s.