Brandy Clark

Early life

Brandy Clark was reared in Morton, Washington, a logging town of only 900 people in the shadow of Mount St. Helens. As a child in the 1980s she was influenced by the country-pop and traditional country music artists she heard her parents and grandmother play like Barbara Mandrell, Ronnie Milsap, Merle Haggard and Loretta Lynn. Clark cites the Patsy Cline movie "Sweet Dreams" as being one of her biggest early influences.

She first picked up the guitar at nine years old and made her singing debut in school musicals. Her mother encouraged her to write songs. Brandy abandoned her music for a period in high school, instead devoting her energies to sports, eventually attending college on a basketball scholarship at Central Washington University. She later quit basketball and moved back home where she obtained an associates degree from a community college. When she entered her first year of college, she started to get more serious about music taking guitar lessons again and joined a band along with her mother and a friend. As a teenager she discovered the music business program at Belmont University, so she enrolled and moved to Nashville in 1998. She studied commercial music and was chosen to perform in the school's prestigious "Best of the Best Showcase". Upon graduation, Clark landed a job with Leadership Music, a job which led to her eventual publishing deal.

Music career

In 2011 "Mama's Broken Heart", written by Clark with Shane McAnally (her frequent collaborator) and Kacey Musgraves, appeared on Miranda Lambert's album Four the Record. It was released on January 14, 2013 as the fourth single reaching No. 2 on both the Billboard Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts. Clark's biggest success to date was as the co-writer along with McAnally and Trevor Rosen when she celebrated a No.1 song ASCAP Party at an industry gathering for The Band Perry‘s third No. 1 hit, "Better Dig Two".

As a Music Row songwriter Clark writes songs that are mostly about the seedy underbelly of country folk. They are observational pieces based on flawed characters that tell the truth on the human condition. They contain dark humor, with a blend of wit and realism, while having the artistic license to make them fictional.

In 2012 she opened shows for Grammy Award-winning artist Sheryl Crow. Brandy found an advocate in country artist Marty Stuart when on Saturday December 8, 2012 she joined him to make her Grand Ole Opry debut when she played his Grand Ole Opry Anniversary celebration and also at his Late Night Jam at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.

At the beginning of 2013 Brandy was chosen by CMT as one of the “Women of Country”, a year-long promotion featuring up and coming artists.

In December 2012, Clark digitally released a self-titled three-track EP including songs "Pray to Jesus", "Stripes" and "Take a Little Pill". The song "Stripes" was released as a single and the official video made its CMT debut on July 4, 2013. It was directed by Becky Fluke (Little Big Town, Pistol Annies) and HLN's Nancy Grace plays a cameo role.

As a co-writer of Miranda Lambert's "Mama's Broken Heart", on September 10, 2013 Brandy received a nomination in the Song of the Year category (presented to the songwriters) for the 47th Annual CMA Awards broadcast, held in Nashville on November 6, 2013. She is also twice nominated for Song of the Year at the 4th Annual American Country Awards which will be held in Las Vegas on Dec 10, 2013.

2013: 12 Stories

On October 22, 2013 Clark released her debut album 12 Stories. Produced by Dave Brainard, it features Vince Gill on background vocals. It made its debut at No. 28 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart On January 6, 2014 Clark made her network CBS network TV debut on The Late Show with David Letterman, performing the lead single "Stripes". In 2014, Clark opened for Jennifer Nettles on her "That Girl" tour.

2016: Big Day in a Small Town

On June 10, 2016 Clark released her second album Big Day in a Small Town. Produced by Jay Joyce, The album's first single, "Girl Next Door" released to country radio on February 16, 2016. The album's second single, "Love Can Go to Hell" released to country radio on September 12, 2016.

Critical reception

Clark's song "Stripes" received favorable reviews from critics. Ben Foster of Country Universe praised the track: "As the first radio bid from an exceptionally talented singer-songwriter, “Stripes” does not disappoint. It’s an ambitious, energetic debut single that makes the prospect of a full-length Brandy Clark album even more enticing." Foster rated the song an A.

Music roots publication Engine 145 described her as “one of the most talented songwriters on Music Row and she proves she is as talented a performer as she is a writer.” 12 Stories received a 4.5 out of 5 rating.

Americana and Roots music blog Twang Nation placed 12 Stories at the top spot of its best of 2013 "Cream of the Crop".

NPR music critic Ann Powers named the album her favorite of 2013. Powers noted that others share her sentiments, writing, "the top honor on many critics' lists is going to Clark, a storyteller of the highest caliber."

The Los Angeles Times wrote that Clark's 2017 release,Live from Los Angeles is "smart to the core."

Personal life

Clark identifies as lesbian.