Clay arrived on the Athens music scene in the mid-nineties drumming for a scalpel-precise post-rock trio named Drip. After two solid albums, Drip gave a farewell concert in Omaha, Nebraska (the entire staff of the Jerk Store in attendance). Soon after, Clay started his own group Lona and joined his Drip bandmate Andy Lemaster in Now It’s Overhead. That’s Clay on the cover of their first album Now It’s Overhead.

Clay started Lona as a vehicle for his songs and singing. Lona delivered a complex mix of rock, country, and manic thrash. Their debut To the Nth is an embarrassment of riches with a gang of Athens’ finest getting down. Their live shows could leave you laid out and slain in the spirit.

Ever the life of the party, Clay joined a diverse mix of artists as an musical guest. He sang country duets with the Star Room Boys. He played drums for The Lures, shared the stage with various local legends, and even MC’d for the experimental rap band High Temple. Hanging out with Bright Eyes, Clay sang backup and performed percussion on The Story is in the Soil, drummed on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and rocked the drum-kit at the Hollywood Bowl.

Most importantly, Clay is country to the bone. He’s met opened for George Jones, Loretta Lynn and Shooter Jennings. He fronts the barnstorming pure country band The Chasers. You can hear Clay on a couple of Drive By Truckers records, and see him sing with Patterson Hood on the DVD Live at the 40 Watt. As a solo artist, Clay has opened from the ten-foot-tall and bulletproof Travis Tritt and the Queen of Country herself, Loretta Lynn.

Clay never lets you down live. He’s got the voice, the guitar, and the songs. Lord willing and the creek don’t rise, he’ll see you down the road