On Sept. 2, while filming in Alpena, Mac and his wife Linda humbly expressed their love for their hometown and gave of themselves to help fulfill the dreams of others and support local causes.

Mac, an Alpena native whose real name is Brendon MacNeill, shared his love for the Alpena community over a course of several weeks before his homecoming. His actions while in town spoke louder than his words.

Before and after shooting footage for the video for his remake of the Stray Cats hit “Rock This Town”, which is expected to be released in November, Mac showered his hometown with adoration and the people in Alpena returned the love.

During the entire video event, Mac graciously helped create lifelong memories for some of the youth in Alpena and paid tribute to other musicians in Alpena.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Country music artist Brendon Mac holds hands with a fan during a video shoot at Bay View Park in Alpena on Saturday, Sept. 2.

After filming a portion of the video where hundreds of people marched behind Mac through the downtown, the party moved to Bay View Park where additional footage was captured. Before hitting the stage to record a concert-like setting, Mac made sure others had a moment in the spotlight.

Several hundred people set up camp in front of the Alpena Band Shell and Mac introduced a special guest, who walked side-by-side with him during the initial part of the video shoot. Mac introduced Sadie Couture, an Alpena girl with Down syndrome, who is an avid Mac fan and dreams of becoming a model and singer.

Weeks ago, Mac announced on social media that Sadie was one of the models to promote his clothing merchandise, but his gesture Saturday was perhaps even more special.

Mac turned the microphone over to the girl so she could perform one of her favorite songs by Taylor Swift called “Bad Blood” for the large crowd.

The girl showed few nerves and the audience was on its feet cheering and whistling from the first lyric to the last.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Brendon Mac gets up close and personal with a camera man during the shooting of a country music video on Saturday, Sept. 2. The video is for the Stray Cats hit “Rock This Town” and is expected to drop in November.

Stephanie Couture, Sadie’s mother, thanked Mac and the crowd for the love they showed her daughter.

“For him to do this really shows what kind of person he and his wife are,” she said. “It took everything I could do to not bawl like a baby. They gave her a chance to show the world that everything is possible.”

Shortly after Sadie’s performance, Mac talked about the importance of giving back to causes that are important to people. He then presented a check on behalf of himself and his wife to Pied Piper School.

Meghan Baker, a secretary at Pied Piper, said the money will help activities and special events for the students and everyone at the school appreciates the support it received.

“It is so cool,” she said. “The money will help us with the things we have planned for the students, but it also put a bright light on Pied Piper and how important it is to the community. It was all very nice.”

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Sadie Couture, left, and country music artist Brendon Mac address the crowd before the girl performs her version of the Taylor Swift song “Bad Blood”. Couture’s performance brought about some of the largest cheers of the day.

Mac also purchased and presented another young girl her first cowboy hat. The young fan wanted one, so he figured he would get her a black one similar to the one he wears.

While Mac mingled with the crowd at the park, local musicians showed off their chops. The band June Street Riot entertained the crowd and local musicians John LaCross, Wayne Kenzior, Matt Southwell, Jim Seymur, and others showed they are as viable musicians today, as they were decades ago when they played at venues like Slips Bar and the Hideaway Bar.

“There has always been, and still is, a lot of talent in Alpena,” Mac said. “It has always had an amazing music scene.”

After about eight hours, the video director called a wrap on the recording, but much of the crowd hung out to finish listening to June Street Riot. After getting some rest, Mac filmed some B-roll footage in various locations in Alpena. When news broke about the video, Mac said a portion of the video would be recorded in Nashville. Now, he said that isn’t the case.

“Everything I needed and wanted was right here,” he said. “Alpena is my home and I am proud to show it off. The support the community showed me was unreal and right now my heart is very warm.”

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Country music artist Brendon Mac crosses the 2nd Avenue Bridge during the filming of his new music video on Saturday, Sept. 2. Mac invited hundreds of people from the community to be the video’s co-stars.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Country music artist Brendon Mac makes his grand entrance escorted by an Alpena Township Fire truck and an Alpena County Sheriff’s Office patrol car. Mac is coming off the successful release of his remake of the Johnny Cash hit “Ring of Fire”, which has been streamed more than 1 million times in only a handful of months.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Country music artist and Alpena native Brendon Mac films concert-like footage during a video shoot in Alpena on Saturday. The video and accompanying single will be a remake of the Stray Cat hit “Rock This Town” and is expected to be released in November.