Interview with Clayton Bellamy

Interview
with Clayton Bellamy

Lamitschka:
Music has many new fans throughout Europe who may be hearing about
you for the first time. How would you describe yourself and the music
you play to someone who has never seen or heard you?

Clayton
Bellamy:   Singer-songwriter with loud guitars and songs
with a mission!

Lamitschka:
How was the last year for you? What were your highlights?

Clayton
Bellamy:  There were many highlights this year including
starting my new job as a radio host on CISN 103.9 FM in Edmonton,
Alberta, finishing this new record, Five Crow Silver, and
being nominated for the Canadian Radio Music Awards in Toronto. 

Lamitschka:
How did you choose the title for the CD?  Is there a story
behind the name?

Clayton
Bellamy:  I co-wrote the title track with my good friend Mike
Plume. It’s based on an old folk nursery rhyme. 

Lamitschka:
Do you write the songs yourself? If not, how do you go about finding
the songs for your CD?

Clayton
Bellamy:  I either wrote or co-wrote all of the songs on this
new record. 

Lamitschka:
What is the difference between your last CD and your current one?

Clayton
Bellamy: The biggest difference from the new CD, Five Crow Silver,
and  my last album Everyone’s A Dreamer is the fact
that I really dove into my rock ‘n’ roll influences this time around.
It is a real reflection of the new direction my music is going in and
the tougher sonic landscape and subject matter we tackled on it. Not
to mention, the great special guests I have featured on the new
album!

Lamitschka:
Your current single is being played by radio. What do you feel is
special about this song that makes people want to hear it?

Clayton
Bellamy: “Goodbye America” is a song about joy and pain and
the American dream. A song about a crumbling ideal that we need to
try and recover. 

Lamitschka:
You did a duet with Kelly Prescott. How did that happen to come
about?

Clayton
Bellamy: I’ve known about Kelly for a few years now and been a fan of
her voice and her music. When I wrote  “Days Aren’t Long
Enough” I automatically knew it was supposed to be a duet – a
song about two lovers who are apart from each other and the pain and
joy they go through. 

Lamitschka:
What is your favorite song among all the songs you have recorded and
what’s the story behind it?

Clayton
Bellamy:  Five Crow Silver was an amazing album to make. Getting
to work with some of my musical heroes like Ian McLagan (The Faces)
and Garth Hudson (The Band) was un unreal experience. My favourite
song on the record is always changing but right now “Victim Of
My Own Compromise” featuring Garth Hudson (The Band) is my
favourite right now. It’s about never sacrificing what’s most dear to
you and never selling out.

Lamitschka:
As an artist, you so many tasks such as recording, touring,
interviews. What do you like best, what’s your favorite activity?

Clayton
Bellamy:  The best thing is that there always so many
things to do you never get bored. I love everything about touring
recording and just being in the music business.

Lamitschka:
What was your big break that got you into the music business?

Clayton
Bellamy:  My big break in the business was getting an
audition to join the Road Hammers.  I got the gig and 6 months
later we had a number one single and a gold record.

Lamitschka:
Before you became a star, were your friends and family supportive or
was it a struggle?

Clayton
Bellamy:  My family was always supportive in my music but
it was still no easy road to take.

Lamitschka:
What inspired you to become a songwriter?

Clayton
Bellamy:  I was inspired by story tellers with loud guitars
like Tom Petty, Steve Earle, and John Mellencamp.  And great
songs with a mission.  Telling a good story and drawing you into
a characters life has always inspired me.

Lamitschka:
What moments in your career stand out in your memory as highlights
and achievements which you are proud of?

Clayton
Bellamy:  Getting a standing ovation at the Grand Ole Opry in
Nashville.

Lamitschka:
When you get time off, how do you like to relax?

Clayton
Bellamy:  Hang out with my wife and kids on our farm, road
trips on my Triumph motorcycle or snow boarding in the winter.

Lamitschka:
Many European fans travel to the United States to attend the several
of the music festivals for the opportunity to see so many of their
favorite artists, bands and celebrities. Will you be participating
and how will the fans be able to find you?

Clayton
Bellamy:  I
will be touring heavily over the next year and people can always find
me and my tour dates online at www.claytonbellamyband.com

Lamitschka:
What can your fans expect to see when they see you in concert?

Clayton
Bellamy:  A loud, high energy show that will make you want
to shout out loud!

Lamitschka:
When you’re on tour, do you have time to play tourist?

Clayton
Bellamy:  I love to see new places and meet new people and that
is the best part about this job. I get to see the world and meet so
many great people along the way. 

Lamitschka:
Many music fans today get their information about artists online. Do
you have your own website and what will fans find there?

Clayton
Bellamy:  Fans can find my music and live shows at
www.claytonbellamyband.com and
they can also tune into my weekday radio show on WWW.CISNFM.COM

Lamitschka:
How do you feel about winning a JUNO Award?  What has it done
for your career?

Clayton
Bellamy:  Winning the JUNO Award was one of the biggest
highlights of my career and realy was a huge spring board to more
international exposure.

Lamitschka:
Most careers don’t last as long as yours.  What’s given your
career the staying power?

Clayton
Bellamy:  I think persistance and hard work go a long way
to being successful.  I believe in the power of YES and always
being open to new ideas and new opportunities.

Christian
Lamitschka ( CountryMusicNewsInternational@googlemail.com
)

www.CountryMusicNewsInternational.blogspot.de