Brandy Clark
American country music singer-songwriter
title: "Brandy Clark" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1975-births", "living-people", "american-women-country-singers", "american-country-singer-songwriters", "american-lesbian-musicians", "lgbtq-people-from-washington-(state)", "american-lgbtq-singers", "grammy-award-winners", "american-lgbtq-songwriters", "people-from-morton,-washington", "singer-songwriters-from-washington-(state)", "writers-from-washington-(state)", "lesbian-singers", "lesbian-songwriters", "21st-century-american-women-singers", "21st-century-american-singer-songwriters", "warner-records-artists", "country-musicians-from-washington-(state)", "20th-century-american-lgbtq-people", "21st-century-american-lgbtq-people", "american-lesbian-writers"] description: "American country music singer-songwriter" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brandy_Clark" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary American country music singer-songwriter ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox musical artist"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Brandy Clark |
| image | Brandy Clark - Highline Ballroom (2).jpg |
| caption | Clark performing in June 2014 |
| birth_date | |
| birth_name | Brandy Lynn Clark |
| origin | Morton, Washington, United States |
| instrument | Vocals, guitar, piano |
| genre | Country |
| occupation | Singer-songwriter |
| years_active | 2005–present |
| label | {{flatlist |
| website | |
| :: |
| name = Brandy Clark | image = Brandy Clark - Highline Ballroom (2).jpg | caption = Clark performing in June 2014 | birth_date = | birth_name = Brandy Lynn Clark | origin = Morton, Washington, United States | instrument = Vocals, guitar, piano | genre = Country | occupation = Singer-songwriter | years_active = 2005–present | label = {{flatlist|
- Slate Creek
- Warner | website =
Brandy Lynn Clark (born October 9, 1975) is an American country music singer-songwriter. Her songs have been recorded by Sheryl Crow, Miranda Lambert, The Band Perry, Reba McEntire, LeAnn Rimes, Billy Currington, Darius Rucker, and Kacey Musgraves. She debuted as an artist in her own right in 2013 with her album 12 Stories and has released four additional studio albums. Clark is a sixteen-time Grammy Award nominee, including the 2015 Best New Artist award, and won the Country Music Association Award for Song of the Year as a co-writer on "Follow Your Arrow". In 2023, Clark and frequent collaborator Shane McAnally wrote the music and lyrics for the musical Shucked, earning a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Original Score.
Early life
Brandy Clark was born in Morton, Washington, a logging town of 900 people in the shadow of Mount Rainier. As a child in the 1980s she was influenced by the country-pop and traditional country music artists she heard her parents and grandmother play, like Barbara Mandrell, Ronnie Milsap, Merle Haggard and Loretta Lynn. Clark cites the Patsy Cline biopic Sweet Dreams as one of her biggest early influences.
Clark began playing guitar at nine years old and sang in school musicals, also writing songs. She obtained a basketball scholarship at Central Washington University, but later moved back home, obtaining an associate degree from Centralia College in 1997. Still a teenager, she joined the music business program at Belmont University, and moved to Nashville in 1998. At Belmont she took guitar lessons again and joined a band with her mother and a friend. She studied commercial music and was chosen to perform in the school's "Best of the Best Showcase". Upon graduation, Clark got a job with Leadership Music which led to her eventual publishing deal.
Music career
In 2011 "Mama's Broken Heart", written by Clark with Shane McAnally (her frequent collaborator) and Kacey Musgraves, appeared on Miranda Lambert's album Four the Record. It was released on January 14, 2013, as the fourth single reaching No. 2 on both the Billboard Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts. Clark's biggest success to date was as the co-writer along with McAnally and Trevor Rosen when she celebrated a No.1 song ASCAP Party at an industry gathering for The Band Perry's third No. 1 hit, "Better Dig Two".
As a Music Row songwriter Clark writes songs that are mostly about the seedy underbelly of country folk. They are observational pieces based on flawed characters that tell the truth on the human condition. They contain dark humor, with a blend of wit and realism, while having the artistic license to make them fictional.
In 2012 she opened shows for Grammy Award-winning artist Sheryl Crow. Brandy found an advocate in country artist Marty Stuart when on Saturday December 8, 2012 she joined him to make her Grand Ole Opry debut when she played his Grand Ole Opry Anniversary celebration and also at his Late Night Jam at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium.
At the beginning of 2013 Brandy was chosen by CMT as one of the "Women of Country", a year-long promotion featuring up and coming artists.
In December 2012, Clark digitally released a self-titled three-track EP including songs "Pray to Jesus", "Stripes" and "Take a Little Pill". The song "Stripes" was released as a single and the official video made its CMT debut on July 4, 2013. It was directed by Becky Fluke (Little Big Town, Pistol Annies) and HLN's Nancy Grace plays a cameo role.
As a co-writer of Miranda Lambert's "Mama's Broken Heart", on September 10, 2013, Brandy received a nomination in the Song of the Year category (presented to the songwriters) for the 47th Annual CMA Awards broadcast, held in Nashville on November 6, 2013. She was also twice nominated for Song of the Year at the 4th Annual American Country Awards which were held in Las Vegas on December 10, 2013.
2013: ''12 Stories''
On October 22, 2013, Clark released her debut album 12 Stories. Produced by Dave Brainard, it features Vince Gill on background vocals. It made its debut at No. 28 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart On January 6, 2014, Clark made her network CBS network TV debut on The Late Show with David Letterman, performing the lead single "Stripes". In 2014, Clark opened for Jennifer Nettles on her "That Girl" tour.
2016{{endash}}present: ''Big Day in a Small Town'' and ''Your Life Is a Record''
On June 10, 2016, Clark released her second album Big Day in a Small Town, which was produced by Jay Joyce. Lead single "Girl Next Door" became her only chart entry to date, reaching No. 39 on Country Airplay.
Clark released*Your Life Is a Record* in 2020. Also produced by Joyce, the album was nominated for a Grammy for Best Country Album.
In 2023, Clark released a self-titled album, Brandy Clark. It was nominated for five Grammys, including Best Americana Album. Clark won the Grammy, her first, for Best Americana Performance for her song, "Dear Insecurity", featuring Brandi Carlile.
Critical reception
Clark's song "Stripes" received favorable reviews from critics. Ben Foster of Country Universe praised the track: "As the first radio bid from an exceptionally talented singer-songwriter, "Stripes" does not disappoint. It's an ambitious, energetic debut single that makes the prospect of a full-length Brandy Clark album even more enticing." Foster rated the song an A.
Music roots publication Engine 145 described her as "one of the most talented songwriters on Music Row, and she proves she is as talented a performer as she is a writer." 12 Stories received a 4.5-out-of-5 rating.
Americana and Roots music blog Twang Nation placed 12 Stories at the top spot of its best of 2013 "Cream of the Crop".
NPR music critic Ann Powers named the album her favorite of 2013. Powers noted that others share her sentiments, writing, "the top honor on many critics' lists is going to Clark, a storyteller of the highest caliber."
The Los Angeles Times wrote that Clark's 2017 release Live from Los Angeles is "smart to the core."
Your Life Is a Record has been described as "the best-sounding album that she’s released." The New Yorker wrote about the album saying, "No One Is Writing Better Country Songs than Brandy Clark Is". Writing about her 2023 self-titled album, NPR described Clark's voice as "a powerful, agile instrument that she wields masterfully".
Personal life
Brandy Clark is openly a lesbian.
Clark was honored with Centralia College's Distinguished Alumni Award in 2025, recognizing her country music career and connection to the college.
Songwriting credits
::data[format=table title="Songs written by Brandy Clark"]
| Year | Title | Artist(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | "That's Why I Hate Pontiacs" | Rebecca Lynn Howard | Alive and Well (unreleased) |
| 2008 | "She'll Believe You" | Kenny Rogers | 50 Years |
| 2009 | "Things a Mama Don't Know" | Mica Roberts | Days You Live For |
| 2010 | "The Maker of Them All" | Guy Penrod | Breathe Deep |
| "Cry" | Reba McEntire | All The Women I Am | |
| "The Day She Got Divorced" | |||
| 2011 | "Mama's Broken Heart" | Miranda Lambert | Four the Record |
| "The Boy Never Stays" | Sarah Darling | Angels & Devils | |
| "Crazy Women" | LeAnn Rimes | Lady & Gentlemen | |
| "That's How I'll Remember You" | David Nail | The Sound of a Million Dreams | |
| "Tryin' to Go to Church" | Ashton Shepherd | Where Country Grows | |
| 2012 | "Better Dig Two" | The Band Perry | Pioneer |
| "Waitin' on a Train" | Buffy Lawson | I'm Leaving You for Me | |
| "We Can't Be Friends" | Joanna Smith | ||
| "Boys and Buses" | Hayden Panettiere | The Music of Nashville, Season 1: The Complete Collection | |
| 2013 | "Dandelion" | Kacey Musgraves | Same Trailer Different Park |
| "Follow Your Arrow" | |||
| "It Is What It Is" | |||
| "Hollywood" | Maggie Rose | Cut to Impress | |
| "Love Without You" | Darius Rucker | True Believers | |
| "You Can Come Over" | Craig Campbell | Never Regret | |
| "Get Outta My Yard" | Gretchen Wilson | Right on Time | |
| "Come Back To Me" | Keith Urban | Fuse | |
| "Songs About Trucks" | Wade Bowen | Wade Bowen | |
| "We'll Come Back Around" | Craig Morgan | The Journey (Livin' Hits) | |
| "Last Night's Make Up" | Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan | Dos Divas | |
| "Homecoming Queen" | Sheryl Crow | Feels Like Home | |
| 2014 | "Two Rings Shy" | Miranda Lambert | Platinum |
| "Burnin' Bed' | David Nail | I'm a Fire | |
| "Bad Girl Phase" | Sunny Sweeney | Provoked | |
| "Wheels On The House" | Ray Scott | Ray Scott | |
| "Bad Car" | Terri Clark | Some Songs | |
| "I Cheated On You" | |||
| "Drunk Americans" | Toby Keith | 35 MPH Town | |
| 2015 | "She Got Drunk Last Night" | Reba McEntire | Love Somebody |
| "Late to the Party" | Kacey Musgraves | Pageant Material | |
| "This Town" | |||
| "Biscuits" | |||
| "Miserable" | |||
| 2016 | "Liar Liar" | Aubrie Sellers | New City Blues |
| "Pawn Shop" | Shelley Skidmore | Shelley Skidmore | |
| "White Picket Fences" | |||
| "Chaser" | Jennifer Nettles | Playing with Fire | |
| "Drunk in Heels" | |||
| "Playing with Fire" | |||
| "Salvation Works" | |||
| "Starting Over" | |||
| "Sugar" | |||
| "Unlove You" | |||
| "Christmas Makes Me Cry" | Kacey Musgraves | A Very Kacey Christmas | |
| 2017 | "Pray to Jesus" | The Oak Ridge Boys | 17th Avenue Revival |
| "Bad Girl Phase" | Sunny Sweeney | Provoked | |
| 2019 | "Tammy Wynette Kind of Pain" | Reba McEntire | Stronger Than the Truth |
| 2020 | "Red Wine & Blue" | Hailey Whitters | The Dream |
| "Ten Year Town" | |||
| "Sparrow" | Ashley McBryde | Never Will | |
| "Voodoo Doll" | |||
| 2021 | "Dear Miss Loretta" | Carly Pearce featuring Patty Loveless | 29: Written in Stone |
| 2022 | "Brenda Put Your Bra On" | Ashley McBryde | Lindeville |
| "Dandelion Diner" | |||
| "The Girl in the Picture" | |||
| "If These Dogs Could Talk" | |||
| "Play Ball" | |||
| "Ronnie's Pawn Shop" | |||
| "The Missed Connection Section of the Lindeville Gazette" | |||
| "Gospel Night at the Strip Club" | |||
| "Forkem Family Funeral Home" | |||
| "Bonfire at Tina's" | |||
| "Lindeville" | |||
| 2023 | "Tennessee's Waiting" | King Calaway | Tennessee's Waiting |
| 2024 | "Treehouse" | Ben Platt | Honeymind |
| 2025 | "Trailblazer" | Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, and Lainey Wilson | |
| :: |
Discography
Studio albums
::data[format=table title="Brandy Clark studio album releases and sales performance"] | Title | Details | Peak chart positions | Sales | US Country | US | US Heat | US Indie | US Folk | UK Country | 12 Stories | Big Day in a Small Town | Your Life Is a Record | Brandy Clark | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | | 23 | 163 | 2 | 22 | — | 10 | | | | | | | | | | 8 | 82 | — | — | 5 | 3 | | | | | | | | | | 46 | — | — | — | 10 | 2 | | | | | | | | | | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | | | | | | | | | "—" denotes releases that did not chart | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ::
Live albums
::data[format=table title="Brandy Clark live album releases and sales performance"]
| Title | Details | Live from Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| :: |
Singles
::data[format=table title="Brandy Clark single releases and sales performance"] | Year | Single | Peak positions | Album | US Country Airplay | "Stripes" | "Girl Next Door" | "Love Can Go to Hell" | "Who You Thought I Was" | "Same Devil" (featuring Brandi Carlile | "Like Mine"{{Cite tweet|number=1310978635222921216|user=TheBrandyClark|title=My new song, "Like Mine", will be available everywhere this Friday Oct. 2nd! And if you haven't yet, set a reminder to tune in to my live stream concert from @3rdandLindsley on Thursday at 6:30pm CT | Happy Tuesday ❤️ Pre save here https://BrandyClark.lnk.to/LikeMine|author=Brandy Clark|date=September 29, 2020|via=Twitter}} | "Buried" | "Dear Insecurity" (featuring Brandi Carlile) | "My Favourite Christmas" / "I'll Be Home for Christmas" | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | 2013 | — | 12 Stories | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2016 | 39 | Big Day in a Small Town | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2020 | — | Your Life Is a Record | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | Your Life Is a Record (Deluxe Edition) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2023 | — | Brandy Clark | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | "—" denotes releases that did not chart | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ::
Other charted songs
::data[format=table title="Brandy Clark charting songs"] | Year | Single | Peak positions | Album | US Country Digital | "Hold My Hand" | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | 2015 | 49 | 12 Stories | | | | ::
Music videos
::data[format=table title="Brandy Clark music video details"]
| Year | Video | Director | "Stripes" | "Get High" | "His Hands" (with Jennifer Nettles) | "Girl Next Door" | "Dear Insecurity" (featuring Brandi Carlile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Becky Fluke | ||||||
| 2014 | |||||||
| Shaun Silva/Valarie Allyn Bienas | |||||||
| 2016 | Traci Goudie | ||||||
| 2023 | Trey Fanjoy | ||||||
| :: |
Awards and nominations
::data[format=table title="Brandy Clark award nominations"]
| Year | Organization | Award | Work | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 47th Country Music Association Awards | Song of the Year | "Mama's Broken Heart" | url=https://cmaawards.com/past-winners-and-nominees/?appSession=1BUPC3AG5GC8EWZ05PHHO3HGD8DJR7807566DIN3E60GRQ38950YE09GN9L82A88BOFEXB704BX6TY40YG4X07F72O92MU53523937Y3PJ0C6S9521L5Y8M9PIBCB743 | |
| 56th Grammy Awards | Best Country Song | url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/brandy-clark | title=Search results for Brandy Clark | work=Grammy.com | |
| 2014 | 49th Academy of Country Music Awards | Song of the Year | |||
| 48th Country Music Association Awards | Song of the Year | "Follow Your Arrow" | |||
| New Artist of the Year | Herself | ||||
| 2015 | 57th Grammy Awards | Best Country Album | 12 Stories | ||
| Best New Artist | Herself | ||||
| 2016 | 58th Grammy Awards | Best Country Song | "Hold My Hand" | ||
| 2017 | 59th Grammy Awards | Best Country Solo Performance | "Love Can Go to Hell" | ||
| Best Country Album | Big Day in a Small Town | ||||
| 52nd Academy of Country Music Awards | New Female Vocalist of the Year | Herself | title=2017 ACM Awards Nominees — Full List | url=http://theboot.com/2017-acm-awards-nominees-full-list/ | |
| 2021 | 63rd Grammy Awards | Best Country Album | Your Life Is a Record | ||
| Best Country Solo Performance | "Who You Thought I Was" | ||||
| 32nd GLAAD Media Awards | Outstanding Music Artist | Herself | |||
| 2023 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Music | Shucked | ||
| Outstanding Lyrics | |||||
| Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding New Score | ||||
| 76th Tony Awards | Best Original Score | ||||
| 2024 | 66th Grammy Awards | Best Musical Theater Album | |||
| Best Country Solo Performance | "Buried" | ||||
| Best Country Song | |||||
| Best Americana Performance | "Dear Insecurity" | ||||
| Best American Roots Song | |||||
| Best Americana Album | Brandy Clark | ||||
| :: |
References
References
- Brandy Clark. (October 22, 2013). "Brandy Clark | Music Biography, Credits and Discography". AllMusic.
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20130121194305/http://www.cmt.com/artists/brandy-clark/ Brandy Clark CMT.com Bio]. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
- Nicholson, Jessica. (2023-05-23). "Brandy Clark Mines Her Own Stories on Brandi Carlile-Produced, Eponymous Album: 'There's a Whole Palette of Colors Here'".
- [https://archive.today/20130722191138/http://m.cmt.com/edge/post.rbml?id=2013/06/07/brandy-clark-sees-life-as-a-dark-comedy/&nbck=999-001-001 CMT Edge Article] (June 7, 2013). Retrieved July 22, 2013.
- (May 14, 2025). "Centralia College Foundation honors Grammy-award winning musician Brandy Clark with 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award". The Chronicle.
- [http://www.musicrow.com/2013/03/no-1-party-the-band-perrys-better-dig-two/ MusicRow.com] (March 7, 2013). Retrieved July 22, 2013.
- {{usurped
- [http://blog.gactv.com/blog/2013/05/16/marty-stuart-announces-lineup-for-annual-late-night-jam/ GAC News] {{Webarchive. link. (October 29, 2013 (May 16, 2013). Retrieved July 22, 2013.)
- link. (October 29, 2013 (January 14, 2013). Retrieved July 22, 2013.)
- [http://www.cmaworld.com/cma-awards/2013-cma-awards-nominations-announced/ 2013 CMA Awards Nominations Announced] {{Webarchive. link. (October 29, 2013 (September 10, 2013). Retrieved October 24, 2013.)
- [http://www.theacas.com/aca-news.aspx American Country Awards 2013] {{Webarchive. link. (November 1, 2013 (October 31, 2013). Retrieved November 1, 2013.)
- link. (July 1, 2014 (October 29, 2013). Retrieved November 1, 2013.)
- Hudak, Joseph (January 7, 2014). [http://www.countryweekly.com/music/brandy-clark-shows-her-stripes-letterman/ Country Weekly]. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
- Hudak, Joseph. (March 22, 2016). "Brandy Clark Sets Release Date for New Album 'Big Day in a Small Town'".
- (January 10, 2020). "Brandy Clark Returns With "Who You Thought I Was"". CMT.
- Willman, Chris. (2023-11-10). "2024 Grammys Nominations Full List: SZA Leads With 9 Noms, Phoebe Bridgers Follows With 7".
- [http://www.countryuniverse.net/2013/07/10/single-review-brandy-clark-stripes/ "Stripes" (Single Review)] (July 10, 2013). Retrieved July 22, 2013.
- {{usurped
- [http://www.twangnation.com/2013/11/30/cream-of-the-crop-twang-nation-top-americana-and-roots-music-picks-of-2013/ Cream of the Crop – Twang Nation Top Americana and Roots Music Picks of 2013] (November 30, 2013).
- Powers, Ann. (December 16, 2013). "Ann Powers' Top 10 Albums And Songs Of 2013". National Public Radio.
- (August 3, 2017). "Brandy Clark's 'Live From Los Angeles' album is smart to the core".
- (March 6, 2020). "No One Is Writing Better Country Songs than Brandy Clark Is".
- Cantwell, David. (2020-03-06). "No One Is Writing Better Country Songs than Brandy Clark Is".
- McKenna, Brittney. (2023). "Brandy Clark is playing for keeps this time". NPR.
- Chris Richards. (November 5, 2013). "Brandy Clark's debut album is a stunner. But will anybody hear it?". The Washington Post.
- "Writing credits for Brandy Clark". AllMusic.
- "Brandy Clark – Chart history – Country Albums".
- "Brandy Clark – Chart history – Billboard 200".
- "Brandy Clark – Chart history – Heatseekers Albums".
- "Brandy Clark – Chart history – Independent Albums".
- "Brandy Clark – Chart history – Folk Albums".
- Bjorke, Matt. (February 19, 2015). "Country Album Chart Report For February 19, 2015". Roughstock.
- Bjorke, Matt. (August 21, 2016). "Country Albums Sales Chart: August 22, 2016". Roughstock.
- (August 3, 2017). "Brandy Clark's 'Live From Los Angeles' album is smart to the core". Los Angeles Times.
- "Brandy Clark Album & Song Chart History – Country Airplay". [[Prometheus Global Media]].
- "Love Can Go to Hell". Discogs.
- Brandy Clark. (September 29, 2020). "My new song, "Like Mine", will be available everywhere this Friday Oct. 2nd! And if you haven't yet, set a reminder to tune in to my live stream concert from @3rdandLindsley on Thursday at 6:30pm CT!! Happy Tuesday ❤️ Pre save here https://BrandyClark.lnk.to/LikeMine".
- Lieberg, Lorie. (October 27, 2023). "Listen: Brandy Clark Reflects on Lost Love In Heartfelt New Track "My Favorite Christmas"". [[American Songwriter]].
- "Brandy Clark Album & Song Chart History – Country Digital Songs". [[Prometheus Global Media]].
- "Music Video : Stripes : Brandy Clark". CMT.
- (March 27, 2014). "Brandy Clark Keeps Things Chill With Get High! Watch The Laid Back Music Video HERE!". PerezHilton.com.
- "CMT : Videos : Jennifer Nettles : His Hands (Live)". [[Country Music Television]].
- "CMT : Videos : Brandy Clark : Girl Next Door". [[Country Music Television]].
- "Search results for Brandy Clark". CMA Awards.
- "Search results for Brandy Clark". Grammy.com.
- [http://www.acmcountry.com/news.html?n_id=598/ ACM Press Release] (January 29, 2014). Retrieved February 5, 2014.
- "Grammy Awards 2017: See the Full Winners List". [[Prometheus Global Media]].
- Stefano, Angela. (February 16, 2017). "2017 ACM Awards Nominees — Full List". The Boot.
- (January 28, 2021). "The Nominees for the 32nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards".
- Rosky, Nicole. "SHUCKED, SOME LIKE IT HOT Lead Nominations for 2023 Drama Desk Awards".
- (2023-04-26). ""New York, New York," "Some Like It Hot," "Shucked" lead 2023 Outer Critics Circle nominations".
- (2023-05-02). "Tony Awards Nominations 2023: The Complete List". The New York Times.
::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::