Brandy Clark

Brandy Lynn Clark (born October 9, 1975) is an American country music singer-songwriter. Her songs have been recorded by Sheryl Crow, Miranda Lambert, The Band Perry, Reba McEntire, LeAnn Rimes, Billy Currington, Darius Rucker, and Kacey Musgraves.[2] She was nominated for Best New Artist at the 2015 Grammy Awards.

Brandy Clark
Clark performing in June 2014
Background information
Birth nameBrandy Lynn Clark[1]
Born (1975-10-09) October 9, 1975
OriginMorton, Washington, United States
GenresCountry
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter
InstrumentsSinger, acoustic guitar, piano
Years active2005–present
Labels
Websitebrandyclarkmusic.com

Early life

Brandy Clark was born in Morton, Washington, a logging town of 900 people in the shadow of Mount Rainier. 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 one of her biggest early influences.[3]

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 associate degree from a community college. As a teenager she discovered the music business program at Belmont University, so she enrolled and moved to Nashville in 1998. She got more serious about music when she entered college, taking guitar lessons again and joining a band with her mother and a friend. 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 which led to her eventual publishing deal.[4]

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".[5]

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.[6]

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.[3][7]

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.[8]

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.[8]

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.[9] 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 December 10, 2013.[10]

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.[8] It made its debut at No. 28 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart[11] On January 6, 2014 Clark made her network CBS network TV debut on The Late Show with David Letterman, performing the lead single "Stripes".[12] In 2014, Clark opened for Jennifer Nettles on her "That Girl" tour.

2016–present: Big Day in a Small Town and Your Life Is a Record

On June 10, 2016 Clark released her second album Big Day in a Small Town, which was produced by Jay Joyce.[13] Lead single "Girl Next Door" became her only chart entry to date, reaching No. 39 on Country Airplay.[14]

Clark announced a new album in 2020 titled Your Life Is a Record. Also produced by Joyce, the album is led off by the single "Who You Thought I Was".[15]

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.[16]

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.[17]

Americana and Roots music blog Twang Nation placed 12 Stories at the top spot of its best of 2013 "Cream of the Crop".[18]

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."[19]

The Los Angeles Times wrote that Clark's 2017 release Live from Los Angeles is "smart to the core."[20]

Your Life Is a Record has been described as "the best-sounding album that she’s released."[21]

Personal life

Clark identifies as lesbian.[22]

Songwriting credits
Songs written by Brandy Clark
Year Title Artist(s)[23] Album
2005 "That's Why I Hate Pontiacs" Rebecca Lynn Howard Alive and Well (unreleased)
2008 "She'll Believe You" Kenny Rogers 50 Years
2009 "Things a Mama Don't Know" Mica Roberts Days You Live For
2010 "The Maker of Them All" Guy Penrod Breathe Deep
"Cry" Reba McEntire All The Women I Am
"The Day She Got Divorced"
2011 "Mama's Broken Heart" Miranda Lambert Four the Record
"The Boy Never Stays" Sarah Darling Angels & Devils
"Crazy Women" LeAnn Rimes Lady & Gentlemen
"That's How I'll Remember You" David Nail The Sound of a Million Dreams
"Tryin' to Go to Church" Ashton Shepherd Where Country Grows
2012 "Better Dig Two" The Band Perry Pioneer
"Waitin' on a Train" Buffy Lawson I'm Leaving You for Me
"We Can't Be Friends" Joanna Smith N/A
"Boys and Buses" Hayden Panettiere The Music of Nashville, Season 1: The Complete Collection
2013 "Dandelion" Kacey Musgraves Same Trailer Different Park
"Follow Your Arrow"
"It Is What It Is"
"Love Without You" Darius Rucker True Believers
"You Can Come Over" Craig Campbell Never Regret
"Get Outta My Yard" Gretchen Wilson Right on Time
"Come Back To Me" Keith Urban Fuse
"Songs About Trucks" Wade Bowen Wade Bowen
"We'll Come Back Around" Craig Morgan The Journey (Livin' Hits)
"Last Night's Make Up" Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan Dos Divas
"Homecoming Queen" Sheryl Crow Feels Like Home
2014 "Two Rings Shy" Miranda Lambert Platinum
"Burnin' Bed' David Nail I'm a Fire
"Bad Girl Phase" Sunny Sweeney Provoked
"Wheels On The House" Ray Scott Ray Scott
"Bad Car" Terri Clark Some Songs
"I Cheated On You"
"Drunk Americans" Toby Keith 35 MPH Town
2015 "She Got Drunk Last Night" Reba McEntire Love Somebody
"Late to the Party" Kacey Musgraves Pageant Material
"This Town"
"Biscuits"
"Miserable"
2016 "Liar Liar" Aubrie Sellers New City Blues
"Pawn Shop" Shelley Skidmore Shelley Skidmore
"White Picket Fences"
"Chaser" Jennifer Nettles Playing with Fire
"Drunk in Heels"
"Playing with Fire"
"Salvation Works"
"Starting Over"
"Sugar"
"Unlove You"
"Christmas Makes Me Cry" Kacey Musgraves A Very Kacey Christmas
2017 "Pray to Jesus" The Oak Ridge Boys 17th Avenue Revival
2019 "Tammy Wynette Kind of Pain" Reba McEntire Stronger Than the Truth
2020 "Red Wine & Blue" Hailey Whitters The Dream
"Ten Year Town"
"Sparrow" Ashley McBryde Never Will
"Voodoo Doll"

Discography

Studio albums
Brandy Clark studio album releases and sales performance
Title Details Peak chart positions Sales
US Country
[24]		 US
[25]		 US Heat
[26]		 US Indie
[27]		 US Folk
[28]		 UK Country
[29]
12 Stories
  • Release date: October 22, 2013
  • Label: Slate Creek Records
  • Format: CD, digital download
 23 163 2 22 — 10
Big Day in a Small Town
  • Release date: June 10, 2016
  • Label: Warner Records
  • Format: CD, digital download
 8 82 — — 5 3
Your Life Is a Record
  • Release date: March 6, 2020
  • Label: Warner Records
  • Format: CD, digital download
 46 — — — 10 2
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Live albums
Brandy Clark live album releases and sales performance
Title Details
Live from Los Angeles[32]
  • Release date: April 2017
  • Label: Warner Bros. Records

Singles
Brandy Clark single releases and sales performance
Year Single Peak positions Album
US Country Airplay
[14]
2013 "Stripes"[16] — 12 Stories
2016 "Girl Next Door" 39 Big Day in a Small Town
"Love Can Go to Hell"[33] —
2020 "Who You Thought I Was" — Your Life Is a Record
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Other charted songs
Brandy Clark charting songs
Year Single Peak positions Album
US Country Digital
[34]
2015 "Hold My Hand" 49 12 Stories

Music videos
Brandy Clark music video details
Year Video Director
2013 "Stripes"[35] Becky Fluke
2014 "Get High"[36]
"His Hands" (with Jennifer Nettles)[37] Shaun Silva/Valarie Allyn Bienas
2016 "Girl Next Door"[38] Traci Goudie

Awards and nominations
Brandy Clark award nominations
Year Organization Award Result
2013 Country Music Association[39] Song of the Year – "Mama's Broken Heart" Nominated
56th Grammy Awards[40] Best Country Song – "Mama's Broken Heart" Nominated
2014 Academy of Country Music[41] Song of the Year – "Mama's Broken Heart" Nominated
CMA Awards[39] Song of the Year – "Follow Your Arrow" Won
New Artist of the Year Nominated
2015 57th Grammy Awards[40] Best Country Album – 12 Stories Nominated
Best New Artist Nominated
2016 58th Grammy Awards[40] Best Country Song – "Hold My Hand" Nominated
2017 59th Grammy Awards[42] Best Country Solo Performance – "Love Can Go to Hell" Nominated
Best Country Album – "Big Day in a Small Town" Nominated
ACM Awards[43] New Female Vocalist of the Year Nominated
gollark: Presumably because making complex and bureaucracy-driven institutions actually work sanely is an unsolved problem.
gollark: Lack of coherent response interpreted as communism.
gollark: What are you suggesting is the actual thing occurring then?
gollark: This is not a very good way to learn about the general effects.
gollark: The economy was also imploded at the time by the entire pandemic situation.

References
  1. Brandy Clark (October 22, 2013). "Brandy Clark | Music Biography, Credits and Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  2. Brandy Clark CMT.com Bio. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  3. CMT Edge Article (June 7, 2013). Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  4. Words And Voices Blog (July 12, 2013). Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  5. MusicRow.com (March 7, 2013). Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  6. The Song Survives Article. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  7. GAC News (May 16, 2013). Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  8. CMT Press Release Archived October 29, 2013, at the Wayback Machine (January 14, 2013). Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  9. 2013 CMA Awards Nominations Announced Archived October 29, 2013, at the Wayback Machine (September 10, 2013). Retrieved October 24, 2013.
  10. American Country Awards 2013 (October 31, 2013). Retrieved November 1, 2013.
  11. Brandy Clark Chart History (October 29, 2013). Retrieved November 1, 2013.
  12. Hudak, Joseph (January 7, 2014). Country Weekly. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
  13. Hudak, Joseph (March 22, 2016). "Brandy Clark Sets Release Date for New Album 'Big Day in a Small Town'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
  14. "Brandy Clark Album & Song Chart History – Country Airplay". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
  15. "Brandy Clark Returns With "Who You Thought I Was"". CMT. January 10, 2020. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  16. "Stripes" (Single Review) (July 10, 2013). Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  17. Engine 145 Album Review Archived December 24, 2013, at the Wayback Machine (July 16, 2013). Retrieved July 22, 2013
  18. Cream of the Crop – Twang Nation Top Americana and Roots Music Picks of 2013 (November 30, 2013).
  19. Powers, Ann. "Ann Powers' Top 10 Albums And Songs Of 2013". National Public Radio. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  20. Clark, Randy (August 3, 2017). "Brandy Clark's 'Live From Los Angeles' album is smart to the core". Retrieved August 5, 2017.
  21. Cantwell, David (March 6, 2020). "No One Is Writing Better Country Songs than Brandy Clark Is". Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  22. Chris Richards (November 5, 2013). "Brandy Clark's debut album is a stunner. But will anybody hear it?". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  23. "Writing credits for Brandy Clark". AllMusic. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  24. "Brandy Clark – Chart history – Country Albums". Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
  25. "Brandy Clark – Chart history – Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
  26. "Brandy Clark – Chart history – Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
  27. "Brandy Clark – Chart history – Independent Albums". Billboard. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
  28. "Brandy Clark – Chart history – Folk Albums". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2016.
  29. "Country Artist Albums Top 20 – 7th Dec 2013". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 14, 2020.
  30. Bjorke, Matt (February 19, 2015). "Country Album Chart Report For February 19, 2015". Roughstock.
  31. Bjorke, Matt (August 21, 2016). "Country Albums Sales Chart: August 22, 2016". Roughstock.
  32. "Brandy Clark's 'Live From Los Angeles' album is smart to the core". Los Angeles Times. August 3, 2017. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  33. "Love Can Go to Hell". Discogs. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  34. "Brandy Clark Album & Song Chart History – Country Digital Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
  35. "Music Video : Stripes : Brandy Clark". CMT. Archived from the original on October 28, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  36. "Brandy Clark Keeps Things Chill With Get High! Watch The Laid Back Music Video HERE!". PerezHilton.com. March 27, 2014. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  37. "CMT : Videos : Jennifer Nettles : His Hands (Live)". Country Music Television. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  38. "CMT : Videos : Brandy Clark : Girl Next Door". Country Music Television. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
  39. "Search results for Brandy Clark". CMA Awards. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  40. "Search results for Brandy Clark". Grammy.com. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  41. ACM Press Release (January 29, 2014). Retrieved February 5, 2014.
  42. "Grammy Awards 2017: See the Full Winners List". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  43. Stefano, Angela (February 16, 2017). "2017 ACM Awards Nominees — Full List". The Boot. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
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