Each week, WYDaily will begin featuring a local musician, group, event, or venue as part of its Brews and Tunes! This week, Ben Mackin chats with local musician, Clayton Perry.
Who is on that stage?
If you find yourself in a Historic Triangle winery or brewery, and you see a bearded man with red hair, wayfarers and a well loved guitar take the stage, you are in for a treat. That is Clayton Perry and he is about take you on an eclectic musical tour of original tunes and covers.
A native of Ocean City, Md. he matriculated to the College of William & Mary a little over a decade ago, and Williamsburg decided not to give him back. In that time in the area he has made a name for himself around the Historic Triangle music scene with his live shows and studio recordings. Clayton’s 2020 album “In the Making” can be streamed on most major and minor platforms including Spotify and Apple Music.
Here are five quick facts about Clayton Perry:
Q: What was the first album to blow your mind?
A: I’d have to say either “Dookie” or “Nimrod” by Green Day. It is something about the simplicity, yet the melodies are still so good. That is actually how I learned to play guitar and sing. From Green Day and Blink 182 where the songs relatively easy, just power chords. Then you add the singing and that is how I got comfortable.
Q: What is your favorite instrument that you own and why?
A: My Takamine EAN10C. It sounds really good. I have been playing it for over ten years and sounds really nice. But I am not afraid to bang on it or expose it to the humid Virginia summer.
Q: When and where was your first gig and how did it go?
A: It was in 2010 in Ocean City. I had been trying to break into playing gigs. My guitar teacher put in a good word for me at a place called Mickey Fins. It was an older crowd, but people were clapping and really into it. They came up to me and told me ‘good job’ and stuff. Then I never got booked there again.
Q: What is your favorite song to cover live?
A: Probably my “No Diggity” [Blackstreet] “Ain’t No Sunshine” [Bill Withers] medley. No Diggity is something everyone gets hyped for and then Ain’t No Sunshine is just one of my favorite songs. It’s always fun to play.
Q: When and where are your next few gigs?
A: Wednesday, Feb. 16, 5 p.m. at Craft 31, 3701 Strawberry Plains Rd.
Saturday, Feb. 26, 2 p.m. at Saude Creek Vinyards, 16230 Cooks Mill Road.
Saturday, March 5, 4 p.m. at Virginia Beer Company, 401 Second St.
Ready to head out for the weekend? Check out who is playing where around the Historic Triangle!
- Brass Cannon Brewing, 5476 Mooretown Road
- Saturday, Feb. 5, 6 p.m. Troy Breslow
- Jolene’s Bar and Grill, 3032 Richmond Rd.
- Friday Feb. 4, 7:30 p.m. Barricade
- Saturday Feb. 5, 7:30 p.m. The Groove Cats
- Paul’s Deli New Town, 4345 New Town Avenue
- Saturday, Feb. 5, 10 p.m. Paul’s Trio
- Revolution Golf and Grille, 1430 High Street
- Friday, Feb. 4, 7 p.m. Brasswind
- Virginia Beer Company, 401 Second St.
- Saturday, Feb. 5, 4 p.m. Billy Joe Daniel with DJ Kudlz
Want to be included in WYDaily’s weekly Brews and Tunes column? Send Ben Mackin an email at Benjamin.M@LocalDailyMedia.com!
