The Clark Family Experience
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| The Clark Family Experience | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | The Clark Brothers |
| Origin | Virginia, United States |
| Genre(s) | Country |
| Years active | 2000-2002 2007-present |
| Label(s) | Curb Universal South |
| Associated acts | Tim McGraw |
| Members | |
| Adam Clark Ashley Clark Austin Clark |
|
| Former members | |
| Aaron Clark Alan Clark Andrew Clark |
|
The Clark Family Experience was an American family musical group which performs country music. Its membership comprised the six eldest children of traveling ministers Freddy and Sylvia Clark: Alan (guitar, vocals), Aaron (bass guitar, vocals), Adam (mandolin, vocals), Ashley (fiddle), Andrew (drums), and Austin (lap steel guitar, keyboards), all natives of the state of Virginia.
Signed to Curb Records in 2001, The Clark Family Experience broke through on the American country music scene that year with the release of their debut single "Meanwhile Back at the Ranch". A Top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs) charts, the song also became the thirteenth highest-selling single in the history of country music at the time.[1] Due to a series of financial problems, however, the group broke up in 2002.
In 2007, Adam, Ashley, and Austin Clark reunited as The Clark Brothers, signing to Universal South Records.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
The six members of The Clark Family Experience—Aaron, Adam, Alan, Andrew, Ashley and Austin—are part of a musically inclined family that comprises the eleven children of Freddy and Sylvia Clark. All six boys first performed professionally in 1993, eventually assuming the name The Clark Family Experience.
In 2001, Curb Records signed The Clark Family Experience to a recording contract. The band also served as an opening act for several country musicians, including Faith Hill and Tim McGraw. Tim also co-produced The Clark Family Experience's self-titled debut album, which was issued in 2001 as well. The album produced a total of four singles on the U.S. Billboard country music charts, including "Meanwhile Back at the Ranch", which soon became a Top 20 hit on the Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs) charts, as well as the thirteenth highest-selling single in the history of country music.[1] Additional releases from the album, however, peaked no higher than #36.
[edit] Bankruptcy
A year after the release of their debut album, The Clark Family Experience filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy;[2] the band owed more than $800,000 in debt to Curb, citing mismanagement and unfair contracts from the label as the reasons for their debt.[3]
Curb then attempted to dismiss the Clark brothers' bankruptcies, claiming that the band was trying to exit its contract.[3] In addition, the label tried to seek an injunction to keep the band from recording for any other label. By August 2003, the label had dropped the suit.[4]
[edit] Present day
Ashley Clark has also served as a fiddle player for American Idol winner Carrie Underwood on tour. In addition, Austin Clark has played pedal steel guitar and Dobro for both Underwood and SHeDAISY.[5]
In 2007, Ashley, Austin, and Adam competed on Fox Networks' talent competition The Next Great American Band. Billing themselves The Clark Brothers, the trio won the competition.[6] The trio has since been signed by Universal South Records.[7]
The Clark Brothers performed on the American Idol Results Show on April 2, 2008.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
| Year | Album | US Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | The Clark Family Experience | 68 |
[edit] Singles
| Year | Single | US Country | US Hot 100 | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | "Meanwhile Back at the Ranch" | 18 | 80 | The Clark Family Experience |
| 2001 | "Standin' Still" | 36 | ||
| "To Quote Shakespeare" | 51 | |||
| 2002 | "Going Away" | 44 |
[edit] References
- ^ a b Wilson, MacKenzie. The Clark Family Experience Biography. All Music Guide. Retrieved on 2007-12-27.
- ^ Clark Family Experiences Bankruptcy. CMT (2002-6-5). Retrieved on 2007-12-27.
- ^ a b Naujeck, Jeanne A. (2003-8-22). Clark Family Experience cuts ties with Curb Records. The Tennesseean. Retrieved on 2007-12-27.
- ^ Curb Drops Clark Family Suit. CMT (2003-8-21). Retrieved on 2007-12-27.
- ^ The Next Great American Band Clark Brothers Bio
- ^ The Clark Brothers Crowned “The Next Great American Band”. Fox59 Indianapolis. Retrieved on 2007-12-28.
- ^ Country Labels Keep Rosters Full Despite Album Sales Dip
