claymeltonband.com

	"Very talented... What a monster career he has ahead of him." - The Blues Hound - Howlin' the Blues, KPFT 90.1 FM Houston "Clay Melton is supremely talented. He is a fierce guitar player, but to also sing and write at such a young age is amazing. He'll definitely be the leader of the next generation of young artists." -Hamilton Loomis, Bo Diddley protege & Blind Pig Recording Artist "Clay Melton has the right attitude, the right work ethic, and a God given ability to play a Fender Stratocaster like a seasoned professional who has sold his soul in exchange for the stardom that surely awaits him... What I'm trying to say here folks, is that Clay Melton is one of the best guitarists I've had the privilege of hosting." - Kenny Pipes, Almost Austin - Owner/Talent Booking "It takes a lot of practice and dedication, at any age, to achieve the level of performance that Clay exhibits. I have been blessed to work with many great musicians in my life, and given the right help and support, Clay could be on his way to becoming one of the Greats himself." - Jimmy Hotz, Record Producer (worked with B.B. King, Fleetwood Mac & others)
At a time when most kids his age are obsessed with the music video game Guitar Hero, 15 year old singer/songwriter Clay Melton is getting ready to prove his real world Guitar Hero status. As leader of the Clay Melton Band, he’s already impressed his live audiences with his Blues-infused Rock style. At just 11 years old, Clay found his calling in life--playing guitar--after listening to Jimi Hendrix’s blistering version of “All Along The Watchtower.” Clay knew what he was meant to do and got to work straight away. He took a one-week guitar course at the local community college and spent all of his spare time in his room just playing. The hours a day listening and learning have paid off as he prepares to open for legendary musician Edgar Winter. The Clay Melton Band does some impressive covers of a few Jimi tunes including “Voodoo Chile,” “Little Wing” and of course, the song that started it all, “All Along The Watchtower,” but Clay is determined to become a lot more than just a top notch cover artist. He’s determined to make a name for himself with his original songs—following in the footsteps of one of his idols, Stevie Ray Vaughan. He’s recruited two strong players, Wes Arvin on Bass and Noah Coffelt on drums to help him make this dream a reality. Clay Melton was born in 1994 in Lake Charles, LA, but by the age of 2 was calling Texas home. He credits his father Jack with exposing him to all kinds of great music from the Blues pioneers Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters and Buddy Guy to modern performers like John Mayer and Dave Matthews. When asked what his long term musical goals are, Clay simply says, “I want to bring The Blues Back.” And if he wasn’t so polite and soft spoken about it, you might mistake him for an arrogant child prodigy who believes he’s already got the world all figured out. Instead, what you find is a very down to earth young man who isn’t afraid to work extremely hard at his craft and make the most of the opportunities he’s been given. What’s next for someone who is already competing against adults in The International Blues Challenge and who’s playing more live dates than many musicians twice his age? Clay says, “Our mission is to be the best live band in the world. We don’t need flashy costumes and we don’t need crazy dance moves—for us, it’s all about the music.” There’s a refreshing simplicity to Clay’s original songs too. “I’ve Heard” is an up-tempo Blues Rocker with energy to spare. The guitar work and lyrics are reminiscent of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “Cold Shot.” You have to wonder how someone so young can write lyrics like this: “What you doing to me baby it should be a sin You know it ain’t right baby and you see it too I’ve found out your plans to make me blue (look out!) I ain’t gonna lie baby I’m leavin you” But that’s a story for another day! Clay swears this song is not about anyone in particular, it’s more about the human experience of love and loss in general. Clay has an emotional depth that you don’t often find in people his age. His dad Jack, who also manages the band, explains it like this. “Clay is an old soul. He has wisdom that’s well beyond his years, but he’s also easy going and fun to hang out with. He’s really talented and he works hard for it. I’m here to support him in any way I can. We’re in this for the long haul.” With a full schedule of live dates, The Clay Melton Band is picking up some great momentum. They plan to release their first album in the summer of 2010. When asked if he has any advice for young (and older!) musicians Clay simply says, “In life you get back what you give. It’s the same thing with music.” It will be a pleasure to hear the songs Clay has to give in the coming months and years.
Wes Arvin (Bass) was born in Jacksonville, Florida, at St. Vincent's Hospital on July 13th, 1985, and what a perfect band mate for Clay Melton he is. At the age of 7 years old, Wes began to sit in on a song or two on guitar with his guitar teacher's band Fourplay. Well, a song or two gradually evolved into whole sets, with a "jump-in-and-hang-on" approach. "It was quite intimidating at the time, but I quickly learned how to play in a band," says Arvin. I remember watching Wes with Clay, as Clay was waiting to join Hamilton Loomis on stage recently at a Main Street Crossing gig in Tomball, Texas. Wes was like a big brother to Clay as he told him about the time he was 11 years old and had the opportunity to play on a stage with Carlos Santana. He was genuinely excited for Clay, and it was that kind of influence that is almost as valuable to the situation as the musical talent itself that Wes Arvin brings to the table. "I feel like my guitar teacher felt back then," says Arvin. "I mean, playing-wise, I was in Clay's position around the same time he is now (playing out regularly at an early age, with that Santana stint thrown in there). But I was never fortunate enough to have near the showmanship nor guidance that Clay has at this point in his life. It's kind of a chance to relive those days but with a better direction. I've never wanted to be the star or front man of a group - Never. I've always wanted to be a part of awesome projects, lending hands in performance, creation, and support, but never be in the spotlight. Sort of like how Jimmy Page or John Paul Jones were in relation to Zeppelin, or how David Gilmour was to Pink Floyd. They were an integral part of the "sound" of the group, but hardly ever are the first people that fans would think about. I just want to make and play good music, and doing so with Clay is the perfect opportunity for that. The fact that he's 14 isnt' an issue, and actually makes it easier to pitch ideas because he's still pretty green and open to sucking up new things like a sponge. There must be something in the water here in Texas."	Noah Lee Coffelt IV came into this world on April 11, 1993... Just 16 short years later, he sits with a whole world of great possibilities in front of him... Having already spent half of his life playing drums, he has a lot on his plate these days, and seems to be loving every minute of a life that just keeps on getting better and better... As you speak with Noah, you can just hear the excitement in his voice... this 16 year old is very humble, but at the same time he seems to exude a sense of fearlessness... In other words, he seems to appreciate his God given gift to make music, and while he takes nothing for granted, he isn't at all scared either... Noah was at church one day around the time he was eight years old and was killing some time in the auditorium, and apparently someone happened in and began playing a guitar that was on stage... Well, being the outgoing and "fearless" individual that he is, Noah walked onto that stage, sat down behind a set of drums that happened to be there, and began to accompany that guitar player... He really was just kind of messing around at the time, but like everything else he does, he tried to play those drums to the best of his ability... One thing that he knew was that making music felt good to him, and was something he wanted to keep doing... A fire seemed to be lit inside of him at that moment, a fire that now blazes and is growing stronger and stronger with each passing day, week, and month. As far as Noah's parents go, they have always been 100% supportive of his calling to be a musician, always encouraging, and never discouraging him from his dreams… It was sometime around the end of May 2009 when Noah met Clay Melton through a mutual friend who owns a recording studio... They played together twice, and then Noah accepted an offer to be a part of The Clay Melton Band... "I never, ever, thought I would play this kind of music... But as I began playing it, I realized that I was actually pretty much just playing the way I play, and it kind of works", he say's when asked how life as a drummer has been different since joining The Clay Melton Band... He stays very busy constantly trying to raise his own bar of excellence... "We practice all the time, all we can... We spend as much time together as possible, writing as much as we can"... "Clay is great, and is also like the younger brother that I've always wanted... Wes is just like, one of the most incredible, smartest musicians, I have ever met... When the three of us are playing together, it's like all of the problems in life are gone, and I am free"...