It wasn't all that long ago that Michael Clay was one of Nashville's noted heartthrobs. He is certainly a fine example of an impossibly handsome sensitive man. His music at the time was noteworthy in that it could not be pigeonholed. In the heartland of the Country Music Industry that can be a two edged sword. There was definitely nobody like him. No one else was playing his brand of pure American music with a strong positive streak. His loyal following was exactly that because the music was so uplifting. On the other hand being that unique made it difficult for major labels' A&R people to take a chance on him. Still he stayed on and played and played.

Italian on his mother's side and bred in the heart of Texas, Michael is furnished with an emotional base that propels him to perform and reach out through that performance. Nashville was graced with many a show at The Sutler, Caffe Milano, 3rd and Lindsley, 12th & Porter, and Wolfie's not to mention spontaneous performances that sprouted at parties, The Nashville Country Club, The Bound'ry and The Trace. Those years brought him to Austin's Saxon Pub more than once and reignited his attachment to his home State where he is now and where he continues to create.

Michael could tell you many a tale of his close friends from his Nashville years and more than one has inspired his original material. They were years full of creativity and connecting personalities. The list seems endless and certainly memorable.

Michael Clay's signature song at one time was the incomparable Love Out Loud a paean to loving as one's nature dictates. It arrived at the very end of the set starting out unassumingly with an autobiographical sketch of how the emotional struggles of youth brought the singer to musical expression a metaphor/simile for loving and living. It was that part of the show where everyone in the band had the opportunity for self expression. It was cathartic and exhilarating.

I was born with bugle horns and trumpets in my heart,
Mandolins, & accordions & voices in three parts
Pounding drums and guitar strums
And choirs singing out
I was born to love, love out loud

Michael plays on and Austin, Texas is the better for it.

- Giano
johnny@column-of-life.com