1.    Hello Clay, can you tell me a little about yourself before becoming a country musician? Clay Barker is a passionate and experienced musician who was self-taught at the early age of 15. His music career took off in his hometown of Alexander City, Alabama in 2012 with the launch of his Contemporary Christian band, Raised in Glory. Clay was the lead vocalist and guitarist in Raised in Glory for 6 years until he decided to begin actively pursuing his own music as an authentically unique country music  singer/songwriter.   Clay obtained his exercise science degree from Auburn University and is now focused on growing his fan base across the southeast through his work with 65 South. Alongside Riley Green, Muscadine Bloodline and Tyler Reeve, Clay Barker is proud to be involved with 65 South – playing in local venues such as Birmingham’s Zydeco, Bourbon Street Bar in Auburn, Gallettes Bar in Tuscaloosa, as well as many others in Atlanta, Huntsville, Cullman and Alexander City. Clay has played alongside Country’s Top 20 artist Mitchell Tenpenny, BBR Music Group’s Stoney Creek Records’ Walker McGuire, Thirty Tiger label’s The Steel Woods and Make Wake Artists’ Jobe Fortner.

2.    When did you start listening to country music and when did you know you wanted a career in it?I started to listen to country music the moment I came into the world. My parents grew me up listening to all of the classics (Hank, David Allen Coe, Willie, Waylon), as well as a huge range of other music anywhere from classic Motown to singer/songwriter folks to the best of classic rock music. I went through a plethora of genres as a drummer before finally picking up the guitar and pursuing country music at the age of 22 and haven’t looked back since. 

3.    What is the background story behind your newest single “Hold My Beer?”Clay’s debut single “Hold My Beer” represents the trademark sound of Clay’s authentically rowdy take on country music. “Hold My Beer” is a song written as the poster-child story of how a little “liquid courage” can go a long way. Written over a couple of drinks on the back porch of Losers Bar in Nashville, TN; Clay Barker, Tyler Reeve, and Cole Taylor unravel the events of a country boy’s night out on the town with his boys that needed some true down home southern help to get things headed in the right direction… a little rowdy.  “Hold My Beer” is the anthem to anyone who has ever had just enough to drink to become the life of the party that they were never invited to. It’s the song that you’re singing when you walk into your favorite bar and the tune that’s running through your head the next day when you wake up getting ready to tell your buddies once again “hold my beer and watch this”.

4.    Who are some of your musical icons? Some guys that I look up to as a country music artist are Chris Stapleton, Mike Ryan, Cody Johnson, just to name a few. There are many other modern day upcoming country musicians that I really look up to. 

5.    What are some of your favorite venues or events to play at?My favorite venues to play are always the college town bars. They’re always my kind of rowdy and have never disappointed. 

6.    Is there anything else new coming up with your music in 2019?I have another single that I will be releasing hopefully in the summer of 2019. As for the rest of my plans, you’ll just have to stick around and see 😉

7.    When you are not working on your music, what are some of your favorite things to do in your free time? I am a huge lake bum. Every time I’m not playing music or working on my music I like to be on the lake wakeboarding, fishing, and riding around on my ‘83 Mastercraft Stars and Stripes.

8.    What is one of your favorite quotes?Hold my beer and watch this.”

9.    Is there anything else you would like to share? I’m overwhelmingly thankful to be able to have the opportunity to play music and pay the bills doing it simply because of my fans that stream the songs, come to the shows, and support me in so many different ways. It’s something that is so humbling for a small town boy like me to see.

1.    Hi Sammy, can you tell me a little bit about yourself before you became a country musician?

   Hey there! My first passion growing up was motocross. I started racing at 8 years old in Montana and was fairly successful, so my family moved to California and I eventually spent a summer racing in the semi-pro ranks. I also loved acting which ultimately took me out to Los Angeles when I was 21. I performed in several productions and a few commercials, but music slowly took over and it has been at the forefront ever since. 

2.    When did you start listening to country music and when did you know you wanted a career in it?

   Honestly, I wasn’t a huge fan of country music growing up. It wasn’t until after I moved to California around the age of 14 when I really started to get into the music. I think I wrote my first song in the 7th grade, but I started taking it seriously around 19 when I began teaching myself to play the guitar. Since then, my pursuit of a career in music has taken me on some wild journeys.

3.    Who are some of your musical icons?

   My favorite band is Kings of Leon. Their music has been my life’s soundtrack. Bruce Springsteen is up there with the best of them. Dierks Bentley was my introduction to country music and I’ve studied his work a lot. Kip Moore has been an influence of mine as well. His lyrics and arrangements have really inspired me over the years. 

4.    What made you decide to put out a live album from Molly Malone’s?

   Back in 2017 I released my debut album, “Beyond Nowhere”. I performed an album release show at Molly Malone’s with a full band.  We acquired the live recording which came out really well so I released it on the major digital platforms. It was also a very special performance for me because I had family in the band. My mother played keys, my stepfather played bass and a family friend was on the drums. It was one of those nights and performances that I will cherish forever.

5.    Is there anything new coming up with your music in 2019?

   I’m very excited about 2019. I’m working on a couple projects with producers who aren’t of the country genre which excites me because I really like to explore different music. Also, I generally play solo acoustic gigs, but I’m putting together a couple full band shows for the summer. 

6.    Where has been some of your favorite venues or events to play?

   I played a pop-up show in a park in Lima, Peru back in 2017 which was such an unexpected and pure experience. The Waterhole in Amsterdam is a great venue with an incredible house band. The Whisky A-Go-Go in Hollywood is where I played my very first show and there is so much history there, so that spot is special. I have always loved performing at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood. Intimate space with a great musical community.

7.    If you have to describe your music in 3 to 5 words, what words would you choose?

   If I had to narrow it down I’d say honest, raw, nostalgic, emotional and eclectic.

8.    What is one of your favorite quotes?

   “Don’t be so nervous.” – My pops, Wayne

9.    Is there anything else you would like to share?

   Well first, thank you! I really enjoyed chatting with you. Definitely want to give a shoutout to my friends, family and fans who have come out to the shows and supported my musical journey thus far. I’m so grateful for you all. We’re just getting started!

1. Hi Kaylee, can you tell me a little bit about yourself before you became a country artist?Before I pursued music, I was a dancer and cheerleader. That was my first love and passion. When I was in middle school, my family moved to a different town and that’s when I started teaching myself how to play guitar and switching my focus to music.
2. What is the background story behind your brand new single “Stuff?” One of my close friends went through a break up a couple years ago and she had recently mentioned to me that she still had his belongings at her place and that she couldn’t let them go. That conversation inspired the idea and I brought the concept and the title “Stuff” to one of my cowrites shortly after. 
3. Who are some of your musical icons? I’m not exactly sure if I can pinpoint even a few artists because I honestly grew up listening to all types of music. I love everything from Johnny Cash to Beyonce. 
4.  How have you grown as a country musician since 2018? I have written hundreds of songs and released a handful of songs. Every release has helped shaped my direction as an artist and where to go next. Everything I went through in 2018 really helped me find my clear path as an artist for 2019. I feel like I know exactly what I want to say and how I want to say it (sing it). 
5.    If you could sing a duet with a famous singer or group who would it be and why? That is an insanely hard question! If I HAD to pick one right now, I’d say Ed Sheeran. I love that he has so many different sides and layers to his music, and I feel like we could write/sing a really weird and cool song. 
6.    What are a few of your favorite venues or events to play at? I have always loved the Listening Room because its a venue that gives artist a place to try out and showcase originals and the audience is always very receptive there. I’ve met a lot of friends, cowriters and fans playing there. 
7.    Is there anything else new coming up with your music in 2019? I have another new single that I am recording. I will have a few different videos and singles coming out this year.
8.    What is one of your favorite quotes? “Comparison is the thief of joy”