Jeff Clayton - Drummer / Drum Instructor

Jeff Clayton was NOT destined to be a drummer. He never banged on the pots and pans as a child, in fact the only interest he showed in music was when  he and his brother decided the Trumpet was pretty cool. Neither boy was given the chance on the horn with Greg handed the Saxophone by the band leader and a year later young Jeff was told, after a test toot on a mouthpiece, "I recommend the Drums for you". "I guess he thought I didn't have enough hot air for Trumpet" says Jeff.  "I've since proven him WAY wrong!!!!"

But the Drums it was, and after a year of weekly lessons in school Jeff started studying with Gene Thaler.  Gene has taught many great players, two of the most famous being the late Stu Nevitt of New Age group Shadowfax and the Mighty Max Weinberg of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band and Conan O'brian  fame. "I took right to the drums because it was fun and I could do it pretty good right from the start" says Jeff today. "I loved baseball, but when I got the chance to play it i realized my talent level was.....NON -EXISTENT!  But with the drums I always felt comfortable."

Jeff's first big influence  was the Beatles and Ringo Starr. "Even before I got drums, when i still only had a pad, I would air drum along with the records for hours at a time" he says. 

When he finally did get drums there was already a band, his brother also being a musician. From the age of 12 Jeff was always playing parties and dances , as well as school marching band, concert band , and stage band shows. 

After graduation , Jeff pursued the tough road of being a full time musician, playing with many Rock, Top40, and Country acts. 

In 1989 he worked for the great Johnny Rodriguez , playing some fair dates and on tour with Alabama.  The bass player on that gig was Dee Murray, formerly of the Elton John Band. "Dee was always one of my favorite musicians. I used to play along to Elton's records, and here I am on stage with him in front of 15,000 people!Doesn't get any better than that."

Jeff toured the US throughout the 80's , eventually playing in 49 states! "Someone get me gig in Oregon PLEASE!!" He did his first USO World Tour with AMI recording artist Rich Chaney in 1991 , playing as far away as Korea and Guam. In 2002 he toured Europe with BMG artist M C Potts.

Jeff moved to Nashville in 1995, and has since played with some great artists including Trent Wilmon, Dave Isaacs, Brian Ashley Jones, Christy Quick, Megan Linville, E L Smith  and Brandon Giles. 

More Info!

www.myspace.com/jeffclaytondrums

http://www.facebook.com
/jdrum60

http://twitter.com/jdrum60

 career highlights

1989 - Johnny Rodriguez, Capitol Recording Artist- Support Act for Alabama - Southern Star Tour

 1991 - Rich Chaney, AMI Recording Artist- USO World Tour, Alaska, Hawaii, Korea and Guam

 1997 - Holli Carden ,  Casino Tour

 2002 - MC Potts and the American Girls Show , USO European Tour

2008 - CD "E L Smith Band Goes Beach Dancin'"

 2008 -Buddy Jewell - TV Taping - "Holiday With The Arts" - ION Network

2009 - Cowboy Church - Live webcast and radio show

2009 - Third Coast Broadcast - Live Webcast with Jerry Foster and Dan Schaefer