BC & The Big Rig
Tulsa, Ok
*Born in Hobart, OK and raised in Guymon, OK
*Based out of Tulsa, Ok
*Professional musician for the past 15 years
*8 Original records available
*4 Time Absolute Best of Tulsa Artist of the Year
*3 Time Absolute Best of Tulsa Red Dirt Band of the Year
*Play 275+ nights a year
*Solo Acoustic shows available as well as full band
When Brandon Clark’s latest album, Burn, was released in early 2014, it was the album his most loyal fans had been waiting for. Much like previous Brand Clark Band releases, Burn provides the near perfect balance of Clark’s heartfelt songwriting, a few country and honky tonk influences, and a rock & roll heart. This time, however, Clark’s songwriting takes center stage more than ever. Sure, he called in a few friends and longtime associates to help him record the album, but the disc represents Clark as a solo artist in control of his career more than anything else he has released to date.
Maybe the most common question Clark hears asked of his music is what is it? At his core, Clark is a singer/songwriter, painting portrait of the characters around him: hard working men & women living life, experiencing love and heartbreak, doing what it takes to get by, and holding on to hope for the next day. Musically, there’s a touch of country in the mix, magnified by the honky-tonks and bars that Clark has played on a near nightly basis for over a decade now. When the guitars get turned up and Clark lets loose, however, it all boils down to good, old fashioned, blue collar rock & roll.
When asking Clark himself, he acknowledges his country and Americana influences, but also refers back to his college days playing in alt-rock cover bands. “That’s just how I was raised,” he will tell you. “I was always more of a rock kid and I think that still influences whatever I do.”
Part of the reason that audiences relate to Clark and his songs so well is because of the honesty that rings through in each of them. Clark is just as hard working and focused as the characters he sings about, having built his audience and success by playing night after night in bars all over Oklahoma, as well as touring the region, taking his music into Texas, Kansas, Nebraska, and Arkansas.
That commitment to touring and taking his music to his fans saw Clark play over 300 shows per year (both solo and with his band) for three consecutive years. Although he has cut back on live appearances the past couple of years, that more relaxed schedule still sees him performing over 250 times per year.
Now, with a new album in hand, Clark is focusing on
taking his music to an even broader audience. With seven CDs and a catalog of over 60 original songs (with more on the way as Clark is constantly writing), and a fresh new backing band featuring Brandon Autry on lead guitar, Chris Bell on bass guitar and James Purdy on the drum kit, Clark is ready to get back on the road and start spreading his brand of rock & roll to new fans.
Much like the new album shines a fresh light on Clark’s songwriting, the lineup breathes a new life into the older material and really makes the new material something spectacular.
Although you’ll still hear Clark and his band mates occasionally tip their hat to their influences, they have more than enough original material to fit the occasion, whether opening for another band of filling the night as a headliner with multiple sets.
“I feel like I’ve done ten years of work to be able to go in and play all of our own songs and play with some of the bigger acts,” Clark explains.
Over the years, that list of larger acts that Clark has played with has grown to include Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers, Reckless Kelly, Kevin Fowler, Randy Houser, The Damn Quails, Chad Sullins & Last Call Coalition, Turnpike Troubadours, and most of the major artists that have come out of Oklahoma/Texas as part of the Red Dirt and Texas Country movement in the past decade.
Now Clark is ready to make his move and be one of the next artists to take his music outside of Oklahoma, while still keeping his roots firmly planted in the state he loves. Armed with a killer new CD, a tight new band, and independent attitude, and a work ethic that has not changed since he began, now is the time to see Brandon Clark, if you haven’t already.
Brandon Clark will be touring throughout Oklahoma, the Midwest and Southeast well into 2015 with BC & The Big Rig and his signature style of country infused, blue collar rock & roll. Requests for music, interviews, and promotional considerations, as well as booking inquires can be directed to www.brandonclarktulsa.com.
