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.Brandy Clark CMT.com Bio. Retrieved July 22, 2013. 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. (June 7, 2013). Retrieved July 22, 2013.
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".MusicRow.com (March 7, 2013). Retrieved July 22, 2013.
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.. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
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.GAC News (May 16, 2013). Retrieved July 22, 2013.
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.CMT Press Release (January 14, 2013). Retrieved July 22, 2013.
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, 2013.2013 CMA Awards Nominations Announced (September 10, 2013). Retrieved October 24, 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.American Country Awards 2013 (October 31, 2013). Retrieved November 1, 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 Brandy Clark Chart History (October 29, 2013). Retrieved November 1, 2013. On January 6, 2014, Clark made her network CBS network TV debut on The Late Show with David Letterman, performing the lead single "Stripes".Hudak, Joseph (January 7, 2014). Country Weekly. Retrieved February 2, 2014. In 2014, Clark opened for Jennifer Nettles on her "That Girl" tour.
2016present: 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 releasedYour 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."Stripes" (Single Review) (July 10, 2013). Retrieved July 22, 2013.
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. (July 16, 2013). Retrieved July 22, 2013
Americana and Roots music blog Twang Nation placed 12 Stories at the top spot of its best of 2013 "Cream of the Crop".Cream of the Crop – Twang Nation Top Americana and Roots Music Picks of 2013 (November 30, 2013).
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 +Songs written by Brandy Clark Year Title Artist(s) Album2005"That's Why I Hate Pontiacs" Rebecca Lynn Howard Alive and Well (unreleased)2008"She'll Believe You"Kenny Rogers50 Years2009"Things a Mama Don't Know" Mica Roberts Days You Live For2010 "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 Grows2012 "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 Collection2013 "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 Home2014 "Two Rings Shy" Miranda Lambert Platinum"Burnin' Bed'David NailI'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 Town2015"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 SellersNew City Blues"Pawn Shop" Shelley Skidmore Shelley Skidmore"White Picket Fences""Chaser"Jennifer NettlesPlaying 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 Boys17th Avenue Revival "Bad Girl Phase" Sunny Sweeney Provoked2019"Tammy Wynette Kind of Pain" Reba McEntire Stronger Than the Truth2020"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 +Brandy Clark studio album releases and sales performanceTitleDetails Peak chart positionsSales US Country US US Heat US Indie US Folk UK Country Your Life Is a Record: 12 Stories Release date: October 22, 2013 Label: Slate Creek Records Format: CD, digital download 23 163 2 22 — 10US: 46,000 Big Day in a Small Town Release date: June 10, 2016 Label: Warner Bros. Records Format: CD, digital download 8 82 — — 5 3US: 15,500 Your Life Is a Record Release date: March 6, 2020 Label: Warner Records Format: CD, digital download 46 — — — 10 2 Brandy Clark Release date: May 19, 2023 Label: Warner Records Format: CD, digital download — — — — — 3 "—" denotes releases that did not chart
Live albums +Brandy Clark live album releases and sales performance Title Details Live from Los Angeles Release date: April 2017 Label: Warner Bros. Records
Singles +Brandy Clark single releases and sales performance YearSingle Peak positions Album US Country Airplay 2013 "Stripes" — 12 Stories 2016 "Girl Next Door" 39 Big Day in a Small Town "Love Can Go to Hell" —2020 "Who You Thought I Was" — Your Life Is a Record "Same Devil" — Your Life Is a Record (Deluxe Edition)"Like Mine"—2023 "Buried"— Brandy Clark "Dear Insecurity" — "My Favourite Christmas" / "I'll Be Home for Christmas"— "—" denotes releases that did not chart
Other charted songs +Brandy Clark charting songs Year Single Peak positions Album US Country Digital 2015 "Hold My Hand" 49 12 Stories
Music videos