Barry Cloyd

Barry Cloyd

Drawing on rich musical roots, personal instinct and a healthy dose of soul, new folk / singer-songwriter artist Barry Cloyd brings a style all his own- and fans of his new single ‘Spirit Dance’ all across the world are loving it.

Hailing from West Peoria, Illinois, Barry Cloyd has been balancing life responsibilities with his creative drive for years, but has recently found his musical interests evolving and expanding. This evolution, it turns out, has been the conduit for an exhilarating journey to the threshold of worldwide recognition. Barry Cloyd's award-winning work recently had this to say about the rising star: ‘Barry Cloyd's Americana-leaning folk album is liquidly nuanced of string but boldly expressed by voice - and deeply directed to the man's native land throughout; an affinity many will relate to, wherever they reside.’ Added to these honors, his debut radio single ‘Spirit Dance’ is rapidly ascending the international charts. Reporter Andrew Edwards recently caught up with Barry Cloyd to learn more about this intriguing folk / singer-songwriter artist, his unique musical vision and plans for the future.

ANDREW: As an artist on the rise, what is one thing you are most excited about and one thing you are most afraid of happening in your career?
BARRY CLOYD: I'm very excited about the beginnings of more recognition for my work outside of the Mid-West. I have toured outside of the US, but this type of recognition will obviously help greatly with my desire to expand my career. Re: fear...I'm really not afraid of much, but knowing how much energy a career in music takes, I am constantly on guard about using that energy in a positive, constructive way. In other words, I just don't want to “blow it”, by doing something stupid.

ANDREW: Your song ’Spirit Dance’ is receiving a positive listener response on radio. What was your initial reaction when you first heard your song playing on radio?
BARRY CLOYD: Of course it's exciting to hear something you've poured your heart and soul into being played and hopefully enjoyed by other folks in far flung places around the world. But it also lets you know that hey, maybe I'm doing something right here...feels just really, really good. And I offer a huge thank you to all those who are helping make it happen.

ANDREW: What was the inspiration behind your debut radio single?
BARRY CLOYD: The inspiration for “Spirit Dance” came from a Native American ceremony/rite of passage that boys in the tribe endure when they are about to become accepted as men. The rite of passage is called a “vision quest”. When the young boy is to become a man, he is sent out into the woods, on his own, for 4 days and nights...and in that time, he fends for himself, and it is hoped that he will receive a vision that will show him why he is on earth and who he is to become as an adult.

ANDREW: It is often said that great art arises from difficult experience. Is there something in your life experience thus far that you would describe as the ‘catalyst’ or ‘fuel’ for your desire to create music?
BARRY CLOYD: Oh yeah. I've been playing guitar since I was 6 years old, writing songs since I was 9 and never wanted to do anything but play music for a living. But reality and real life came along, and I spent many years working in the corporate world...and consequently, not being who I truly was. A difficult divorce and a firing from the corporate world created a perfect storm of agonizing/wonderful possibilities. And following all that upheaval, I made the decision to finally become myself and started on a career in music full-time at a rather late stage in life. It was the worst of times, it was the best of times...and I've never looked back. I've been making a living as a full-time touring musician for 16 years now (150-175 shows per year average) and I've never been happier.

ANDREW: How would you characterize yourself as an artist/musician? (Ex. Down-to-earth, serious, fun-loving, complicated…)
BARRY CLOYD: Maybe all of the above. I take my responsibilities as an artist and performer very seriously...always on time, prepared, ready to give every audience (no matter how large or what type) everything I have musically. But, you have to be fun loving, 'cos music, if your doing it right, is lots of fun, and who doesn't like to have fun?. Down to earth? ...hopefully...lots of details in this life, booking shows & tours, writing, recording, travel, etc. Complicated...well, I suppose some who know me well might say that, but I'm not sure...I'm a pretty straight forward guy...what you see is what you get...not into pretense.

ANDREW: What has your experience been like working with the other people on your team?
BARRY CLOYD: Well, I don't have a real big “team”, but I do have some wonderful support from good friends and other musicians who I've worked with through the years. I do work with an agent who is helping me with new and different venues. And I do have a couple of co-writers that I occasionally work with. And I guess I'd have to say that my team of support folks and friends who have contributed to any measure of success that I have is so valuable that I don't know if I could be writing to you about all of this if not for their kindness and belief in me.

ANDREW: Did you come from a musical background? Are there other musicians in your family?
BARRY CLOYD: Sure did. My mother was a jazz singer and had a radio show of her own on the east coast when she was in college. And my grandmother was a touring opera singer, who was a diva at a young age. The opera company was managed by my great-grandfather and they toured the country for several years. My brother's also a very good percussion guy, so we had lots of garage band stuff going on when I was young.

ANDREW: What do you find most rewarding about being an artist? What do you find most challenging?
BARRY CLOYD: The most rewarding thing for me is to be able to play music for a living. Ya know, I just read that literally only one out of a million folks who play music are able to do it for a living. That's an amazing statistic, and I realize how incredibly fortunate I am to be able to do just that. Most challenging? Well, the challenge for me comes in trying to access all the possibilities that are available to broaden my range and circle of musical exposure. There is a lot to do in this musical life...and so many of the details can get missed. So, just to keep moving forward in my career is probably the biggest challenge.

ANDREW: Who are your role models in music?
BARRY CLOYD: I don't know that I have any actual role models that I can name. There are a whole bunch of musicians whose work I love and respect. But there are also those in this sometimes crazy business who have managed to create a long running career, maintain their sanity and keep their integrity and uniqueness available to the public at the same time. Can be a difficult balancing act, and I suppose those folks would be considered role models. I suppose one name that does come to mind is that genius of the Americana movement, the late John Hartford. I've been performing on the paddlewheel riverboat that replaced the one that John played on, for 16 years. I took John Hartford's place on the inland waterways, The Illinois, Mississippi & Ohio Rivers...a great honor.

ANDREW: Describe your best or most memorable performance.
BARRY CLOYD: Well, the best performance would be hard to pin down, but a few of the most memorable have been in the company of some amazing, well-known musicians. I grew up with Dan Fogelberg, played with him as a kid, and have shared the stage with some of his more famous musical compadres, like Al Perkins (Flying Burrito Brothers, Emmylou Harris, Stephen Stills' Bands), Chris Hillman (The Byrds, “Souther, Hillman, Furay Band”, Stephen Stills' Manassas), Herb Pedersen (John Denver, Emmylou Harris' Hot Band, Dan Fogelberg's Touring Band and loads of others). Have recently worked with a series of Chicago Blues giants including Buddy Guy's keyboard man Marty Sammon and have played Buddy Guy's “Legends” in Chicago. Also, have recorded with many leading lights of the Nashville music scene, such as Grammy winner Tim Carter (The Carter Family), who co- produced my latest CD “Southland”and several Grand Ol' Opry regulars including Roger Eaton (Oak-Ridge Boys Lead Guitarist).

ANDREW: What advice would you give to young, aspiring artists out there who are unsure and need guidance?
BARRY CLOYD: It's all about COMITTMENT! If you allow yourself a “back door, safety valve, escape route”...what ever you wish to call it...when things get difficult and challenging, as they will no doubt...human nature says that you might use it. So, don't give yourself an “out” if you are serious about playing music for a living. This musical life ain't for wimps. But if you have an unshakeable belief in yourself and can learn a little bit about sales and how NOT to lead with your ego...then you'll be way ahead of the game.

ANDREW: What's next for you as an artist? Is there a new single in the works? If so, what can you tell us about it?
BARRY CLOYD: I actually am working on several new songs, but I'm also promoting my latest release “Southland”, which just won an award for best Americana album from The Akademia Music Awards in LA. There are several tracks on this new release that I would love to get into regular rotation on a whole bunch of stations. One new song that I'm real happy with and that will appear on the next CD is titled “These Hills”...and relates the experiences I have when I go “Song-Walking”...that is...looking for song lines and inspiration. Much of that song-walking and looking for usable song- lines, courting the muse, if you will has happened in a nature preserve near my home in Central Illinois.

ANDREW: That is quite exciting, congratulations! Thank you for taking the time to let me get to know you a little better. Good luck with your new album!

http://www.barrycloyd.com