The Billy James Clayton Interview

Billy James Clayton was born and raised in Flint, Michigan. During his early years it was discovered that music would play a life long role in is life. As a young child he was exposed to the sounds of Ray Charles, B.B. King, Dinah Washington and a host of other great jazz, blues, and R&B artist from his father. His mother , on the other hand had him listening to the likes of Bob Seger, Charley Pride and Conway Twitty! At the age of 10 he started singing on a local church choir, as well as learn to play the organ, saxaphone and guitar. At the age of 17 he joined the U. S. Marine Corps, where he thought he had found is true calling....being a U. S. Marine. The music, however, remained a soothing and motivating force throughout! In 2000 Billy started driving truck. Driving along the highways of America at night, ideas of songs, life on the road, loves lost and had, started working their way into his thoughts. While singing remained a major part of his leisure time, it wasn't until he saw Travis Tritt and Ray Charles together on CMT's "Crossroads", that he discovered his passion for the stories told through Country music. In 2008, he recorded his first demo in Nashville, a cover of the Travis Tritt classic "Anymore", as well as "Too Far To Turn Around". Now Billy knew what he wanted to to do. In March of 2009, working again with Mark Mosley and some help from Gary Paxton in Branson, Missouri, he hit the studio again. The result being his current debut CD, "Truckload Of Load". A collection of "trucker friendly" songs, as well as songs that present a very traditional, yet contemporary sound.