Kerry Patrick Clark Single "Where The Brave Begin" Review.



Artist: Kerry Patrick Clark

Song: Where The Brave Begin

Released: 2026

Artist Website: https://www.kerrypatrickclark.com/home

Kerry Patrck Clark is Martin Guitar preferred artist, singer songwriter and storyteller. To quote his website, "A Musical Norman Rockwell"... which is quite a vivid picture for those who know Norman Rockwell's work. For the younger reader, Norman Rockwell was a painter that created wonderful scenes of mostly rural American life. His art was able to capture a simpler time in exquisite detail. The details matter in work like his, as they do in the music of Kerry Patrick Clark. 

This concise classic folk track clocks in at just under 3:30. The production, like Rockwell, left no colors out. The attention to detail is not lost on the astute listener. It is plush without ever feeling crowded and has a soft percussive pulse that drives the track without ever raising the blood pressure of it. The harmonies are top shelf and the melody is downright infectious. It is one that would've been right at home on a Gordon Lightfoot album. 

Kerry Patrick Clark has the perfect voice for the music and lyrics that he writes. The glove fits the hand with absolutely no wiggle room. The vocals and the guitar are equally warm at every turn. One can normally discern whether an artist is a singer that plays a bit of guitar or a guitarist that can carry a tune. In the case of this artist it is hard to tell which is dominant. He seems to have served three masters equally. A rare triple threat consisting of world class playing, writing and singing. 

At the core Kerry Patrick Clark is a storyteller put to melody, like the best of the folk genre. This is a track that I would consider to be straight classic folk done at the highest level. There is a difference between Folk and Americana. The latter encompasses so many styles and can mean many different things. Where The Brave Begin isn't flirting with other genres but landing firmly with both feet and total conviction into traditional folk music. The kind that would have been heard in coffee houses in Haight Ashbury and Greenwich Village in the heyday of the mid 60's before Dylan went electric and shocked the music world. Fans of James Taylor and Simon & Garfunkel will thoroughly enjoy the music of Kerry Patrick Clark. 

Check out the interview below...

Tell us the brief history of your band or musical career.

Learned guitar when my mother purchased a guitar for my father (and her) 15th anniversary.

My 7th grade social studies teacher was a NW Ohio regional well known singer/songwriter, Eddie Boggs. He took me under his wings and mentored me.

I performed with Eddie and solo for years in and around NW Ohio while record (now) 9 albums!

In 1985 I toured as a member of The New Christy Minstrels, 25th Anniversary Tour!

In 2014 I had the #1 Folk song, In A Perfect World

Who are your musical and non-musical influences?

My mother and father, Eddie Boggs. John Denver, Harry Chapin, James Taylor. Elton John, Billy Joel. The Eagles. Dan Fogelberg and so many of the 70s singer/songwriters!

What album has had the greatest impact on your life as a musician? 

Greatest Stories Live (Harry Chapin).  Saturday Evening With John Denver.

Is there a particular song that has resonated with you for a long time?

WOW!  That is a tough one!  Dan Fegelberg’s, Leader Of The Band.

What’s your favorite accomplishment as a musician thus far?  

Touring with The New Christy Minstrels. Having a #1 folk song!  Living the life of dreams and rising a family:-)

Tell me about your favorite performance in your career.

Hmmm…????  Perhaps it was in 1985.  The New Christy Minstrels performed a Pops Concert with The Portland Symphony Orchestra.  I got to put down my guitar, walk to center stage and sing (my favorite NCM song:-), Today… while a 90 piece orchestra and my other NCM members backed me up!

What's the best piece of advice another musician ever gave you?

What you do between the songs is the reason people listen and come back!

What's new in the recording of your music? 

Technology that allows me to sit in my basement study and write and record! AND… the simplicity of a Zipper Song.  WEIRD!!  It’s a combination of the new/cutting edge and the old!

How has your music changed over the years?

I think it has gotten more sophisticated.  I love writing songs that are… dare I say it… intelligent:-)  The other thing that has changed is me pulling my head of of my …. ah… YOU KNOW WHERE!!!  And writing songs that resonate from a collective and community perspective.

What inspires you to write the music you write?  

The conversations, struggles, arguments and celebrations that happen between my heart and my head.

What made you want to play the instrument you play?

Growing up in the 70’s, everyone on the radio was a guitar player… or the ones that grabbed my attention!  So, when my mother gave my father a guitar for their 15th anniversary… I did not know my father knew how to play… my father taught me a few chords and my heart found it’s home.

How does your latest album differ from any of your others in the past? 

It’s a nod to the fathers of folk music and an invitation for us ALL to find the hero within and rise to the occasion of….  speaking your truth in love.  Standing for justice. Doing the things that are brave, true and righteous.

How are you continuing to grow musically?

My answer depends on which hat I happen to be wearing:-)  As an independent artist I wear many of them! There is the hat of performer, sound and light man, booking agent, songwriter, singer, bus driver, promoter, roadie, producer, engineer.  I think the best answer I have to that I am TRYING to practice more presence!  Being in the moment and not letting the fear of the past/future have any effect on this moment!

Are there any musicians who inspire you that are not famous? What qualities do you admire about them?

Eddie Boggs, a magnificent entertainer!  Eric Sills, owner of Stone Soup Recording.  He took his love of music and a tragic accident to make a positive impact on the musical scene of our area! John Batdorf. He was signed by Clive Davis at the tail end of the folk-rock era!  Incredible artist!  There are so many others whom I have had the pleasure of meeting, hearing, knowing and becoming friends with through the Folk Alliance International organization and it’s regional affiliates.

Describe your worst performance. What did you learn from this experience?

AH!  That is an easy one… because there are SO FEW bad performances!  I was booked to perform an outdoor concert for a Metropark System in Central Ohio.  It was August or September.  A really hot and humid day!  I was sweating just from setting up… 2 minutes before the concert a bus pulled up and unloaded a group of seniors.  I was facing the sun.  They sat in the back row of the out door amphitheater.  We were ALL miserable:-)  That is the very first time I remember thinking… ‘yeah!  this is not fun anymore!'

Tell me what your first music teacher was like. What lessons did you learn from them that you still use today?

Mary Burson. 5th and 6th grade music teacher at Central Elementary in Sylvania, OH!  She recognized my passion and fostered it!  I wrote my first song in 6th grade.  Circus Town!  She took my song and had it copywritten for me!  I did not know what it meant… but she handed me this official government document with an embossed from the Library of Congress!  It was such a big deal that the memory stays with me to this day!

How would your previous band mates describe you and your work ethic?

Hopefully they would say I was/am kind.  Generous.  A hard worker and a talented singer/songwriter!  Though, I must admit, my memories took me to my first band in high school!  I wanted to play James Taylor and John Denver.  My bandmates wanted to play Journey and Stix!  LOL!  THEY would say… ‘he is stubborn… selfish!’  LOL!

If you could play anywhere or with anyone in the world, where or with who would it be?

My family!  Son Robbie Clark (RobbieClarkMusic) and wife Amy!  There is something wonderful and marvelous about family and close harmonies!

If you could change anything about the music industry today, what would it be?

That we as a community and country would celebrate and support artists like so many other communities and countries do!

What are your biggest obstacles as a musician?

The belief that I have to be in control and do it all myself!  AND… the many hats I wear.

What do you think the best aspects of the music business are? 

Creativity!  Getting to see, witness and experience the impact of a well-written song or an incredible performance.

What strengths do you have that you believe make you the musician you are?

I am a really good rhythm guitarist.  I think I am a good singer (though I wish I could be hypnotized and hear myself without being IN myself… come to think of it… that could be REALLY BAD if I didn’t like what I heard:-)!  I am more interested in the flow of a song, concert or show and the way an audience reacts.

Do you have any weaknesses that you're actively working to improve on?

Selfishness and doing it all myself… see the answer above!

Describe your favorite and least favorite part about being a musician.

The rising cost of everything and the static pay for performers. That would be my least favorite.  My favorite part would be the people and places that  music has taken me. 

Do you have any anxiety about performing live?  

The only anxiety I have experienced recently is not having enough time to set up and sound check before the audience arrives!  Honestly, this creates more anxiety for me than the actual performing!

If you had to choose one... live performance or studio work, which do you prefer and why?  

OH… this is REALLY TOUGH!  I think… live performance.  I get so jazzed after a performance where the audience and I come together and sing, laugh, cry.  Travel the arc of the show or concert.

What do you think about online music sharing? 

I recognize the older I get, the more things change and the less I like those changes!  As artists, music sharing is a tool… with every tool/change/modern technological advancement, how can I/we as artists use this tool/change/technological advancement to get our music heard…  these are the things I try to keep in my when I run into changes and questions like this:-)

Describe your creative process when you write new music.

I am an inspirational writer!  I get an idea… a melody…. a lyric… a hook… a musical thought or song idea that I capture on my memo app on my iPhone.  I then try to find or make time to WRITE!  That is the perspiration-part of the process.  Though, my process starts with an inspiration.

Other than being a musician, what was your dream job growing up? 

I had none!  This was ALL I wanted to do and be;-)  It led me to my wife.  My home. My traveling and touring. 

Give us some advice for new musicians just starting out in the industry. 

We live in a world of Social Media and 140 characters!  Find what is authentic and true about you.  As a person.  As an artist.  Where do you fit in the wheel of music and art?  Don’t worry about the likes you get on social media.  Be constant and consistent!  Write. Sing. Play. Record. Let your heart be and find joy in the DOING of it.  Cause WHATEVER you choose to be or do, you will be doing (or being) that for a LONG TIME!  It’s a journey not a destination.  Climbing the ladder toward something… falling on your face… it sounds bad or hard… but at least you are moving forward!

What is your favorite piece of gear and why? 

My Martin Guitar GPCPA2.  An incredible Sunburst guitar that was made to my specifications by Martin!  AND… it arrived on Christmas Eve!  

How do you prepare for your performances and recording work? 

Interesting that I paused after reading this question. My preparation is everyday.  Thinking, playing, writing, practicing, performing and performing and thinking and being. OK… I just paused for 2 minutes and reread what I wrote.  While this is true… there is a much better answer… which is… I open my heart!  I open my heart to the possibility that I may fail.  I may be great. I may inspire someone. I may offend someone. I may find a friend.  I may be moved.  I may be hurt.  And then, I open my heart even more! 

What does your practice routine consist of?

My practice look like working up a new song for a performance or recording. I find my creative juices are more engaged when I think about how Kerry Patrick Clark would sing, write or perform this song.

What do you like most about your new album? 

I love that the song is rooted in the rich history of Zipper-songs and also in the anthemic invitation songs of the singer-sgonwrter genre.

What artists do you enjoy listening to nowadays?

James Taylor. Reggie Hamm. John Gorka. David Wilcox. 

How do you promote your band and shows?

Mother Hen Promotions:-) A wonderful company that specializes in Social Media Marketing.  Email fan list and word of mouth.

What is the best way to stay updated on current news; gigs, releases, etc.

Hmmm???? I am in an interesting stage of my career.  As, forgive the sound of this, I am not interested in the.. ’next gig’!  I have done that… played in clubs and bars where the crowd is clapping because their favorite sports team just scored!  I am interested in playing and performing where music matters!  House Concerts. Church Events/Concerts. Senior Programs. Each of these ‘venue’ have a different approach to gigging and booking.

Anything you would like to share, from new merch to upcoming shows/tours or songs/albums?

I am reaching out to all I know… family, friend, fans and invite them to SEE this song resonating with all who have been living in fear.  Living in separation.  I see this song as a vehicle that invites conversations to start. Had to reach offering help.  A heart that opens to supporting another human in their _____  (fill in the blank).  Honestly, that is the work, merch, new information that I am focused on at the moment.

What's next for your band?

Exploring parts of my heart that I have yet to see, experience, explore.

What are your interests outside of music?

I LOVE building ad fixing things!  My wife and I have started a behavioral health company that focuses on addiction services.  We also have and do own some real estate.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

I have been on every single nationally televised talent show before American Idol… and…. LOST!  LOL

Are there any artists outside of your genre that have not had much influence on your music that you enjoy? 

Not really.  My last in music is pretty slim.  Guitar… singer… songwriter.  

Anything Else You Would Like to Include? 

I am grateful that you took the time to ask!  I am even more grateful that YOU… yes, YOU - the person reading this… has taken the time to join me in this conversation!  This IS… Where The Brave Begin!