By Mary Whitfill
Staff Writer
Coppell High School graduate Clayton Graham Fike had his first CD, Brooks and Brandywine, recently released on iTunes. His CD was released on Dec. 5 and includes six original songs played by him and other contracted musicians.
His CD is available on iTunes and at his shows and concerts in the DFW area.
His first album, is a new favorite of mine with a James Taylor and John Forman inspired sound. My favorite song is the first track on the album, Sunshine, as it uses lyrics (please don’t take my sunshine away) from the 30’s song, You are my Sunshine originally written by Oliver Hood in 1939. Although it has been covered many times, Fike’s creative use of selected lyrics turns his song into something many generations can relate to. The sound of the music makes you want to kick your shoes off and dance. It obvious to the listener that this is something Fike really worked for and loves.
“I started playing guitar when I was eight,” Fike said. “Since I started writing songs in middle school, I knew music was my passion and it was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”
Fike graduated from CHS in 2007 knowing that he wanted to make it in the music industry. He has worked to achieve his goal and attributes his success to his role models and peers. Fike recorded the second song on his CD, The Best Part, with 2008 CHS graduate Tiffany Cassius. Cassius is the current choreographer for the CHS Vivacé! choir and dance performance.
Also featured on the album are Jacob Schrodt (drums), Corbin Pierce and Jonathan McQuitty (BGV’s) Adrian Disch (Bass), and Chris August and Jeremy Clark (keyboard). In addition, Fike’s dad, Al Fike, also appeared on the album as a banjo player. Fike gets his musical influences from his dad, who first introduced him to the guitar, and artists such as David Bazan.
Overall, the album has a great feel. It is not moody, angry or depressing, but upbeat and celebratory of life and relationships. It would be a great album to play at a summer pool party, in the car with the top down, or whenever you feel the need to let loose and have fun. Fike’s sound is a rare kind of music that has the ability appeal to different types of people, keeping my hopes of a new album high.
“I have a lot more songs, I really picked through a lot when choosing for this album,” Fike said. “My ultimate goal is to win a Grammy award for one of the songs I write.”
In additon, there is a release party tonight, Jan. 6, for Fike at the House of Blues in downtown Dallas. Tickets are $12 and available at the House of Blues website, or will be sold for $15 at the event.
