Artist Spotlights- Brett Clark

PB - How did you get into the music business? What was your big break?

BC -You mean you can get in?  No I went to college and studied music performance at the University of Northern Iowa.  After school I moved to Nashville and began to take any local $25-$50 gig I could get my hands on.  i found a great group of musicians a spent 5 years trying to make it.  Eventually I had finally met enough people and David Graff Musical Director for Carmen gave me a call while I was out with friends at dinner and asked if I could fill in on a few spot dates.  That was my open door into the business, after that I have been fortunate enough that the phone has kept ringing.

PB -Is this something you've always wanted to do, or did it take you by surprise?

I knew from the time I was 13 years old this is what I wanted to do with my life.  It came from trying to talk my Dad into buying my first Drumset.  He asked the question, "Is this something you are going to stick with"?  I I told him that this is what I want to do.  Once he woke back up to a very loud drumset in the basement he seemed to be OK with the answer because he bought the kit for me.  Quite honestly everyday takes me by surprise.

PB -Are you a goal oriented person? Are you a control freak?

BC - First off I'll ask the questions here.  No I'm not really a control freak.  As far as goals I learned very early in life to set out a plan for what you want to do and you will achieve it.  so yes I am very goal oriented, and maybe just a little bit of a control freak.

PB -What music/artists do you like to listen to?

BC - Well I would be wrong if I didn't say Paul Brandt.  Actually Paul is a great songwriter and those are the artist I love.  James Taylor, America, Bill Withers, The Beatles, I grew up on John Denver, and Neil Daimand, and just about anything from the 60's and 70's.  The first band I fell in love with was The Beach Boys and it just grew from that point.  Current music I have been listening to would be, Ben Folds, Coldplay, Five for Fighting, Jason Mraz, Nichole Nordeman and so many more.  Lately I have really been into KT Tunstull, I could go on and on I really love listening and taking in a song that tells a story.  I even like to listen to Dan Fogelberg, "Leader of the band" still makes me cry.  That is actually why I feel I have had success in Nashville because I have always tried to serve the song as a drummer.  That is also why I feel fortunate to be able to spend this part of my career with Paul.  All of his songs have a story and something to say, it's very easy to get behind something that has some meaning to it.  Well other than Convoy...

PB -What's your favorite website?

BC - I am a google maps freak, and I have no idea why.  I could spend hours figuring out new routs to go the same place.  It makes no sense but i love it, I guess it's because I spend so much time traveling.  I also spend a lot of time at http://www.financialsense.com I love seeing what is going to be the next big business.  Actually when I stop and look at it I'm a big geek.  I think Paul has a site as well.

PB -Talk about your current album/projects... OR if there's not a current project... What are your album/career plans?

BC -Well I am just now finishing up my new studio build-out in Nashville.  I've spent the last few years really getting into mixing and working on sound for TV and movies.  It's a lot of fun for me so we'll just see what happens with that.

PB -Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

BC -I hope still working and doing new things in the business.  I do hope I get some more free time though.

PB -Where do you see yourself tomorrow?

BC -Lost somewhere in Canada doing a show with Paul.

PB -Are you a pet person? Do you have any pets? Any pet stories?

BC -When my wife and I first moved o Nashville we rescued a puppy and she lived with us for about 10 years.  We had several other dogs through the house but Jazzman was always there.  Once we had children she really lost a lot of the attention she was getting from us.  Earlier this year we found a nice farm for her so she is having a good time now.

PB -Do you care to share your religious beliefs? What's your life philosophy?

BC -My faith in Christ is the most important thing to me in my life.  Watching my children growing up with the chance to know him is an amazing concept to me.  My oldest Daughter Aiden is really starting to see what it all means and that is something I can't even describe.  I also feel that treating others with respect and having a true heart for people is a great way to live.  It helps to get away from yourself and focus on what someone else needs.

PB -What's your favorite food?

BC -Pan seared Ahi Tuna.  Yummy.

PB - Please aBC any other interesting comment, tidbit, sound-bite or mantra here...

BC -Uhmm........ Uhmm.....  Uhmm.....

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