Special to the Star-Herald
With music flowing in their veins, Adam, Ashley and Austin Clark of Rocky Mount, Va., won the coveted title of “The Next Great American Band” on Friday, Dec. 21.
Photo courtesy of Fox Broadcasting
WINNERS of Fox’s “Next Great American Band,” The Clark Brothers, hail from Aroostook County. Adam, Ashley and Austin Clark – all born in Presque Isle – now reside in Rocky Mount, Va. Their father, Freddy Clark, is originally from Mars Hill. Coming from a family of traveling evangelists, these young men had no problem performing before a large audience, winning praise from both viewers and judges to take top honors, including a recording contract. Here, the brothers are shown in one of their many musical performances on the show.
After the Fox reality contest was announced, there were over 6,000 tapes sent in for review. Over 60 bands were chosen to compete in front of a panel of judges in Las Vegas. Of these, 12 were chosen to compete for television audience votes over the nine weeks of competition in Los Angeles.
The brothers were watching a show and saw the advertisement for “The Next Great American Band.” They sent in a tape at the last minute – and the rest is now history. The brothers were used to playing with the family band, but this tape was the first of just the three of them.
When invited to compete, the Clarks had to decide whether to take this opportunity, or to continue with their current jobs. Ashley was playing in Carrie Underwood’s band, and Adam and Austin were playing backup for SheDaisy. They prayed about it and decided to follow the path that was opening up for them.
With the win, the brothers have received a recording contract with 19 Entertainment, the production company that also created “American Idol.”
The first week of competition started Oct. 19, with the brothers playing “Down Home.” The second week they played “Billy The Kid” and “Maggie’s Farm.” The third week saw the trio play their own composition “Country Time” as well as Elton John’s “Country Comfort.”
By this time, the bands had been narrowed down to eight. The next four week’s competitions saw them playing “She’s Got A Way” by Billy Joel, “Saved” by Leiber & Stroller, “Gimme Shelter” by The Rolling Stones and “You’re In My Heart” by Rod Stewart. They continued to impress the judges, as well as the voting audience.
The eighth week of competition saw them play “These Are The Days of Our Lives” by Queen as well as their own “Homestead.” The final week saw them perform “Change The World” as done by Eric Clapton, “Amazed” by Lonestar and “This Little Light of Mine/Faith, Faith, Faith.”
The brothers play a mix of music, including country, gospel, bluegrass, blues, and a bit of rock. The three brothers have music in the blood, having been raised on gospel with six other brothers and twp sisters, currently ranging in age from 12 to 33. Their parents, Freddy and Sylvia Clark, are traveling evangelists, going all over the country spreading the Word of God. Their children have been playing instruments since they could hold them, including guitar, banjo, fiddle, bass, dobro, mandolin and drums. In fact, Ashley’s 1-year-old son already has a guitar, so the next generation is already in training!
The Clark Brothers are thrilled with the opportunity they have been given – to play in a band with each other, and to see where the Lord is going to lead them on this road.
Freddy Clark is originally from Mars Hill. He and Sylvia’s children have been born in many different places, but the three boys in the Clark Brothers Band were born in Presque Isle. Maybe there’s something in the air!
(Editor’s Note: Some of the information for this article was taken from articles in The Roanoke Times and The Franklin News-Post in Rocky Mount, Va. These are the local papers in the area where the Clark family resides.)
Photo courtesy of Tomi Henderson
The Clark Family is shown in this 2000 photo. Brothers Adam, Ashley and Austin were just named ‘The Next Great American Band’ on December 21. Pictured are, rear from left: Aaron, Andrew, Adam, Ashley, Austin and Alan. In front from left: Alexander, Avery, Freddy, Aimee, Sylvia, Amber and Abraham.
Photo courtesy of Fox Broadcasting
THE CLARK BROTHERS, made up of Adam, Ashley and Austin Clark, were named winners of Fox’s “Next Great American Band” Dec. 21. The brothers, born in Presque Isle, now reside in Virginia.
