Clay McClinton
Imagine Delbert McClinton is your father.  Large shoes to fill, I'd say." Clay McClinton doesn't try to be his father, while taking all the influences he had growing up in stride he struck out to make his own distinct mark on music. He grew up being taught both guitar and harmonica by both his father and older brother Monty and at age 19 he decided to pursue music as a career more seriously. While he admits to never really thinking of any other career than music his approach to it was not geared to seeking the spotlight as a priority but rather to writing good songs first.

  Growing up in Fort Worth, Texas, McClinton caught the travel bug more than 10 years ago with extended excursions to Austin, Texas, Europe, Flagstaff, Ariz., and now Nashville. "It's been a very progressive two years in Nashville," he says. "We're busier and busier, and the phone keeps ringing. We've got a European tour in the works for September, then Canada in October. Traveling allows you to really smell the culture and know the people. McClinton also saved some choice words for the legendary Bear, a place his dad had recommended from past experience. "The place has a great vibe with everyone dancing," he remembers. "As my dad said, 'It's a great place to sweat.' I love it."

Clay knows he's been blessed, and while expectations can be high for second-generation performers, he's attracted to the challenge. "Being raised with people like my dad and Willie Nelson, there aren't any categories for our music," he says. "We're in charge of all the good stuff that falls through the cracks. I'm working on another album due out later this year, and there are a few songs co-written with my dad."

 

What a great night we had at The Alamo last night, February 26!!!

 

The Clay McClinton Band is AMAZING!!!!  We had so much fun - and it seemed like most of you were there.  We had such a good crowd.  Thank you for coming and supporting us.  Clay sold a lot of CDs too, so I think you all agreed that this band is a keeper!!!

 

I'm going to watch their website and go see them anytime they are within reach.  I might even drive to my Sweet Home Alabama in April to catch them in Mobile.

 

Check out their tour at http://www.claymcclinton.com/tour.asp.  Tonight they are at The Slippery Noodle in Indianapolis, and Wednesday they are at Skip's Lounge in Angola, IN.  They will be in Bradley, IL, Thursday, March 1 - but that's way up there by Kankakee.  Just in case anybody on my email list is near there I thought I'd throw that in.  Then they will be in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. 

Every member of the band is great - Gary Cruz, bass, is from near Huntsville, AL - Andrew Bett, keyboard, is from the UK and Australia - Jim Evans, drums, is from Cleveland, OH.  Of course, Clay himself is originally from Texas and now calls Nashville, TN, home.

 

Guess what - Brandy, Clay's wife, is from right here.  She grew up in Cantrell, IL, and graduated from Athens High School. 

 

We felt like we made 5 new friends who we wanted to keep with us. 

Review of the Clay McClinton Band