Hanging out at a bonfire with country music in the background is something that Skyler Clark has always enjoyed. When he sought to break into the country music scene, that vibe was exactly what he wanted to capture.
Clark, 20, recently released “Tear It Up,” his debut EP, with production help from Plant City artist and Grammy-certified producer Cliff Brown.
Clark, a University of South Florida student, might have his nose in textbooks by day, but by night he is focused on getting his name out in the Tampa Bay music scene.
The Thonotosassa native said he got his first real start in Plant City by making his debut at an open mic night at O’Brien’s Irish Pub. It wasn’t long before the pub, as well as other Tampa Bay-area businesses, offered him regular gigs.
In addition to his growing following in Hillsborough County, Clark also maintains a loyal fanbase as far north as Brooksville, where he often plays at the Captain’s Corner bar. His music is also occasionally featured on the radio.
Playing music gives Clark something to do when not working toward a degree in business management or working at a cattle ranch.
For this EP, Clark wrote four of the five songs by himself. They range from traditional country to pop country, as Clark wanted his various influences, such as Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, George Strait and Hank Williams Jr., to shine through.
All he needed was the right producer.
Clark had hoped to work with Plant City native Cliff Brown for the recording of “Tear It Up.” Getting in contact with Brown took some time. But after performing at a benefit in November 2014 Clark was finally able to talk to Brown.
“Then we started working together,” Clark said. “We played at the Clemons Road release party at Uncle Mike’s Smokehouse Grill this past year.”
Around the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World, Brown is perhaps best-known as the frontman for island-influenced country act Clemons Road. He peformed in the band in 2012 with several Plant City natives, and the group has since seen its popularity skyrocket around the state.
But Brown is much more than just a country singer. He’s also a producer, working with country, reggae and hip hop acts from around the country. His claim to fame as a producer is the Grammy he won in 2007 for his work with Mary J. Blige, particularly on the song, “No One Will Do.”
Clark has written nearly 30 songs, by his own account, but chose five to bring to the studio. It was his first time recording in a studio, and he said that the experience was invaluable.
“It was a really cool experience,” Clark said. “(Brown) helped me a lot in the process. He had suggestions to really make the songs come to life more than they already had been.”
The bulk of the EP was recorded by May, and much of Clark’s work since then has been gathering album artwork, photographs and other promotional materials, as well as booking shows. Because of Clark’s busy schedule, he isn’t sure when he’ll start work on his next EP, but he already knows he’d love to work with Brown again.
Clark’s debut concerts will be played Nov. 14, at the South Shore Music Festival in Gibsonton during the day and Boots ’n’ Buckles that night.
“I’m excited with how it turned out and that people can hear it,” Clark said. “I love when I get to go play those songs live — I want people to know the songs when I play them live.”
Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.
CHECK IT OUT
Skyler Clark’s music is available for purchase on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and CDBaby. Clark is scheduled to perform around the Tampa Bay area throughout November, but fans in Plant City can catch him at O’Brien’s Irish Pub Friday, Nov. 20.