Kat Harlton
Lead Photo: Travis Nesbitt
For more than two decades, Clayton Bellamy has been one of the defining voices in Canadian country rock. Now, the multi-platinum, JUNO Award-winning and five-time CCMA Award-winning songwriter returns with his first solo release in over a decade. “I Miss Tom Petty,” out now via Skysong Records/The Orchard, serves as the first glimpse into Bellamy’s forthcoming album, Soft Kind of Loud.
Co-written with Dan Davidson and Tim Hicks, the introspective single introduces a more vulnerable side of Bellamy, embracing honest storytelling, understated musicality, and the timeless power of simplicity. Inspired by Bellamy’s acclaimed live production The Legendary Life of Tom Petty, “I Miss Tom Petty” is less about the legendary songwriter himself than the memories and emotions his music continues to evoke. Reflecting on growing older, the song captures the bittersweet realization that the people, places, and moments we once believed would always be there eventually become memories. With warm, soulful harmonica and heartfelt vocals, the single sets the tone for Soft Kind of Loud – an album that deliberately trades arena-sized anthems for authentic songwriting.
Best known as one-third of award-winning group The Road Hammers and most recently, co-founder of Skysong Records, Bellamy has spent more than 20 years building a celebrated career as a songwriter, performer, and producer. Alongside his work with the multi-platinum band, he created and stars in The Legendary Life of Tom Petty, the acclaimed multimedia concert experience celebrating one of rock’s greatest songwriters. Revisiting Petty’s catalogue night after night inspired Bellamy to strip away excess and reconnect with the emotional core of songwriting, ultimately shaping the sound and direction of Soft Kind of Loud.
I had the opportunity to chat with Clayton about his latest single, his musical journey and what’s next.
Kat: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your musical journey so far?
Clayton: Well where do I start? I am a father of four wonderful kids, a full-time musician, president and founder of charity, Clayton Bellamy Foundation For The Arts, and co-founder of the record label Skysong Records, platinum-selling songwriter and member of the JUNO Award-winning band The Road Hammers. I’ve been blessed to make a wonderful career out of writing, recording and producing music to run around the world and even managed to get my face in a few movies. I pride myself on being a co-conspirator in many Bands and projects over the years and thrive on creative collaboration. I’ve spent 30 years in the Music business, 20 of those with The Road Hammers and counting! I continue to love to explore our weird great human condition through music and melody.
Kat: You’re releasing your first solo single in over a decade. What made this feel like the right time to return to your solo career?
Clayton: For the last 10 years, I’ve been extremely busy writing and recording with The Road Hammers, Black Mountain Whiskey, Rebellion the Congregation and of course for a long list of amazing country and rock ‘n’ roll artists. Along the way so many songs get written that don’t fit any of those projects, so this just felt like the right time to bring those songs to life. Also, with the announcement of the North American tour of The Legendary Life of Tom Petty, it felt like the perfect time to put out a song called “I Miss Tom Petty”.
Kat: What was the inspiration behind your new single, “I Miss Tom Petty”?
Clayton: I had the pleasure of writing this song with two of my extremely talented friends Tim Hicks and Dan Davidson. This song was inspired by all the things you love you think will always be there until one day they’re not. I have been out on tour with my production, the legendary life of Tom Petty, which is the story and music of Tom Petty and playing that music every night really inspired me to want to record this song.
Kat: What was the creative process like for this single? Any unique challenges or memorable moments you can share with us?
Clayton: The whole process of making this record was an exercise in doing the opposite. Whenever I wanted to play louder, sing harder and add more I did the opposite. I really wanted this to be stripped down and emotional not only the song but the whole record. That’s why it’s called “Soft Kind of Loud,” it’s the most expressive record I’ve ever made.
Kat: You co-wrote “I Miss Tom Petty” with Dan Davidson and Tim Hicks. What was it like bringing the three of your perspectives together to create this song?
Clayton: I’ve written so many songs with Dan and Tim, and they are incredible talents and two of my dearest friends. This song was really what I like to call a sky song. It just fell out of the sky into our laps. Tim was drinking coffee out of a mug that said I love Tom Petty, and we turn that into a song title along with Dan. Incredible guitar within an hour we had ourselves a song.
Kat: What message or feeling do you hope listeners take away from your music?
Clayton: I want people to be taken on a musical journey. I want them to be able to reflect or see a reflection of themselves in the songs. “I Miss Tom Petty,” It’s not just about missing someone or something. It’s about realizing that nothing lasts forever and that we have to cherish the things we have while we have them.
Kat: What has been the most rewarding experience of your music career so far?
Clayton: I think the most rewarding experience I’ve had in music is just being able to continue. To be able to continue year after year making Records touring the world and writing songs is never lost on me. In fact I think it gets more and more rewarding as the years go by. If I had to think of one particular instance, though, I would say playing the grand old Opry with the Road hammers was one of my most memorable experiences. We got a standing ovation on our first appearance! I was so overwhelmed. I got down on the stage and kissed it.
Kat: What else can fans expect from you this year?
Clayton: Well, there are exciting things happening this year. A North American tour with The Legendary Life of Tom Petty, the new single “I Miss Tom Petty”as well as the new record Soft Kind of Loud of course. There will be a lot of new Road Hammers shows coming and a contest to win a trip for two to Nashville to see the Legendary Life of Tom Petty at the Schermerhorn Symphony Theater in downtown Nashville! Lots of exciting things to watch out for.
Connect With Clayton Bellamy:
Facebook: @claytonbellamy
Instagram: @claytonbellamy
Website: https://www.claytonbellamy.com/