Get To Know Ya: Jake Clayton Is Kicking Up Dust

Jake Clayton is a multi-instrumentalist with the rare ability to play 27 instruments. Jake has been steadily building a name for himself on the country music circuit over the past 8 years touring as a ‘utility musician’ and backup vocalist for various Nashville Artists on some of the biggest tours. This Friday, Jake will be performing in Quincy!

Currently, Jake tours with Republic Nashville Recording Artist, Sunny Sweeney. Sunny was the side-stage headliner on Gary Allan’s 2012 Country Throwdown Tour and was also one of the side-stage acts on Brad Paisley’s 2011 H2O II tour. Jake also spent the majority of 2009 on Brad Paisley's "American Saturday Night Tour" as the utility player for the main-stage opening act, Jimmy Wayne.

Jake was kind enough to take some time to visit with us and answer some questions about what's going on with him.

KICK-FM:  Where do you call home?

Jake Clayton: I've called Nashville home since 2007.  Actually moved to Nashville in 08, but did so much work there in 07, it felt like I was already living there.

KICK-FM:  What and/or who influenced you to make music?

Jake Clayton:  The fiddle player for Garth Brooks (Jimmy Mattingly) is the reason I do music.  When I would see him on stage, he would look like he was the happiest man alive.  I wanted that to be me.  I was brought up to believe 'if you find a career doing what ya love, you will never work a day in your life'.

KICK-FM:  When did you sing your first song?  When did you write your first tune?

Jake Clayton:  My parents were singers so I was singing as soon as I could talk.  I didn't start playin instruments though till the year 2000.  I wrote my first song in 2004 when I got my first resonator guitar (Dobro).  It was an instrumental ballad called Midnight Rainbow.

KICK-FM: Do you have any new projects you’re currently working on?

Jake Clayton:  I am currently in the pre-production phase of my next record which will be out early next year.  I am also co-producing an album along with Rob Daniels for a St. Louis-based artist Rickie Lee Tanner.

KICK-FM:  How do you use social media like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to reach your fans?

Jake Clayton:  I use Twitter and Facebook to post status updates as well as for posting concert info.  We also post videos on my YouTube page as well for my fans to check out.

KICK-FM: What’s next for you for the rest of 2012 and 2013?

Jake Clayton:  This winter I will be working on my new album as well as playing shows all over this great country.  Check out www.jakeclayton.com for the latest information.

KICK-FM: If someone listens to just one song of yours …which one should it be and why?

Jake Clayton:  For me, that song is "Kickin Up Dust" because it showcase all of the elements I love about music.  It's high energy.  It's happy.  It has a wide variety of instruments featured and Jack Gavin who played for The Charlie Daniels Band & Tanya Tuckers is playing the drums on this track.  Definitely a toe-tapper :-)

I was brought up to believe 'if you find a career doing what ya love, you will never work a day in your life'.

Jake has already performed at legendary venues such as Madison Square Garden and the Grand Ole Opry, and he's appeared in two Top20 Country Music videos and on various national television broadcasts on CMT, GAC, WGN, and more. Now, with has his own album, 'Barnyard Stomp', distributed worldwide and a video featured on CMT.com, Jake has become an 'Artist'.

Jake will be in Quincy performing at Johnny Bang Bang's this Friday (October 26th) along with friends J. Michael Harter and Cali Tucker.

To find out the latest on Jake Clayton, be sure to visit his website and Facebook page.