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Clay Cook
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Douglas "Clay" Cook (born April 20, 1978) is an American songwriter, producer, and musician who is best known as a member of the Zac Brown Band. After dropping out of college, he and classmate John Mayer formed the band Lo-Fi Masters. Cook co-wrote several songs with Mayer that appear on Mayer's first two releases, Inside Wants Out and Room for Squares, including "No Such Thing", "Comfortable", "Man on the Side" and "Neon". Cook was also a member of The Marshall Tucker Band and Y-O-U.
Biography
[edit]Clay Cook attended Smoke Rise Elementary, Tucker High School, and is a graduate of South Gwinnett High School in Snellville, Georgia in 1996. Following this, Cook enrolled at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. While there, Cook met fellow student and singer-songwriter John Mayer. The two of them formed the duo known as Lo-Fi Masters, putting 5 of their songs on an eponymous demo tape which was made at Berklee.
In March 1998 after two years, Cook made the decision to leave Berklee with his bandmate, John Mayer, to move their duo to Atlanta, Georgia, as he was a Georgia native and was aware of the music scene in the city. They began their career in earnest there, quickly making a name for the two-man band. They frequented the local coffeehouse and club circuit in venues including Atlanta's famous venue Eddie's Attic. On their writing partnership, Cook said, "Even back then, my role was more like that of a producer and John was the writer. I'd give input to clean up the rough edges and help him get his vision of the song more clear. For instance, he might have written six verses to a song, and I'd help him get it down to three."[1] Cook and Mayer wrote songs in Atlanta which later appeared on Mayer's record Room for Squares, including: "No Such Thing", "Love Song for No One", and "Neon". Due to musical and creative differences, the two eventually parted ways. Cook moved to California to work in a music shop and later joined The Marshall Tucker Band. Since then he has released two albums of solo material while playing with bands. His albums are entitled The Year I Grew Up and On Mountain Time. Cook has also played with Sugarland and Shawn Mullins.
Cook joined the Zac Brown Band, and their album You Get What You Give was nominated for the 2011 Grammy's, marking Cook's first recorded material that has been nominated. The band won a Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for "As She's Walking Away" with Alan Jackson. In 2011 Cook announced he had conceptualized his next solo album and planned on working on it throughout the rigorous touring schedule of the Zac Brown Band. Cook released this new album, North Star, on October 22, 2013.
In recent years, Cook has also collaborated with artists to produce albums and CDs. For example, he produced and mixed albums of Atlanta artists Gareth Asher and the Earthlings, as well as a single for the Atlanta-based hard rock band Echoes End, fronted by Kevin Coughlin, a longtime friend and film composer of the Along Came The Devil Horror film series.[2]
Discography
[edit]Albums
[edit]| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Country | US Heat | ||
| Lead Me On |
|
— | — |
| Self Serving |
|
— | — |
| Smoke & Mirrors (as Clay Cook & The Torches) |
|
— | — |
| Natural Progression (as Clay Cook & The Torches) |
|
— | — |
| Year I Grew Up |
|
— | — |
| On Mountain Time |
|
— | — |
| North Star |
|
— | — |
| Unobstructed View |
|
— | — |
References
[edit]- ^ Small, Mark (2005). Although actual songwriting credits refer only to a couple of songs on Mayer's first record."John Mayer '9: Running with the Big Dogs" Berklee.edu (accessed April 23, 2007)
- ^ "Gareth Asher Biography". Retrieved February 22, 2013.
| Authority control databases: Artists |
|---|
Clay Cook
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Douglas "Clay" Cook (born April 20, 1978) is an American musician, songwriter, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist best known for his longstanding role in the country rock band Zac Brown Band, which he joined in January 2009 as a harmony vocalist and player of guitar, keyboards, mandolin, and steel guitar.[1][2] Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Cook grew up in a suburban environment and began pursuing music at age five, taking up the guitar by age seven and practicing scales and chords while forgoing many typical childhood activities like video games.[2] He later expanded his skills to include drums, piano, Hammond B3 organ, pedal steel guitar, and mandolin, establishing himself as a versatile performer across genres including rock, country, and southern music.[3]
Cook attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, graduating in 1998 after four semesters in the Music Production and Engineering and Professional Music programs, where he focused on guitar, drums, and singing in the gospel choir.[4] During his time at Berklee, he met fellow student John Mayer and co-wrote several songs with him, some of which appeared on Mayer's early platinum-selling albums Inside Wants Out and Room for Squares.[4] After leaving Berklee, Cook returned to Georgia and built his early career by touring and recording with notable acts, including three years with the Marshall Tucker Band, one year with Sugarland, and collaborations with Shawn Mullins from 2004 to 2006.[4][3]
In addition to his work with Zac Brown Band—contributing to albums including The Foundation (2008) and You Get What You Give (2010)—Cook has pursued solo projects, releasing North Star in 2013 on Southern Ground Artists, and maintains an active role as a producer and mix engineer through his Atlanta-based studio, The Small Room.[4][3] He also founded the band Y-O-U earlier in his career and teaches Music Production Analysis courses at Berklee Online, drawing on his expertise in songwriting, recording, and performance.[3][5]
These efforts underscore Cook's involvement in capturing live energy and studio polish for emerging Southern acts, including mixing contributions on select tracks.
Early Life and Education
Upbringing in Georgia
Clay Cook was born on April 20, 1978, in Snellville, Georgia, a suburb located near Atlanta.[6] He spent his formative years in the nearby community of Tucker, Georgia, where he first took up playing guitar and drums as a child.[3] [7] Growing up in a musical household, Cook was profoundly influenced by his stepfather, who owned a local music store that had been an Ernie Ball dealer since 1972; this environment filled their home with instruments and fostered an early passion for music.[8] [9] At around six or seven years old, he began learning on a three-quarter-sized classical guitar, mastering basic chords like G, E minor, A minor, and D while covering songs such as the Everly Brothers' "Born Yesterday."[8] [9] Cook's initial exposure to music drew from Georgia's Southern roots, encompassing country and bluegrass traditions through informal basement jamming sessions with older musicians—often in their 60s and 70s—who played fiddle, banjo, mandolin, and guitar, creating a communal atmosphere that emphasized fellowship and skill-sharing.[8] He also developed an admiration for rock guitar techniques, particularly inspired by Eddie Van Halen at age nine, and absorbed fingerpicking styles from his stepfather, who emulated Chet Atkins.[8] These experiences in the Atlanta area's local music scene introduced him to a blend of genres, including rock and country elements that would shape his versatile style.[8]Berklee College of Music
Clay Cook enrolled at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1996 following his graduation from South Gwinnett High School in Snellville, Georgia. He attended from 1996 to 1998, leaving after four semesters without completing his degree.[10] [4] Initially enrolling in the Music Production and Engineering program for one semester, he switched to Professional Music, where he pursued coursework in songwriting, music production, and audio engineering, took drum courses, joined the gospel choir, and focused on guitar, drums, and singing; this built on his early musical foundation in Georgia where he developed interests in playing guitar and drums.[3] [4] A pivotal aspect of Cook's Berklee experience was his networking and collaborations with fellow students, including meeting guitarist and singer-songwriter John Mayer.[4] The two became friends while living in close proximity in the dorms and began co-writing songs together, laying the groundwork for an early songwriting partnership that would influence their respective careers.[11] Cook's focus during his Berklee years marked a notable evolution in his musical approach, transitioning from primarily performing on guitar and drums—skills honed in his youth—to emphasizing composition, songwriting, and production techniques.[3] This shift was facilitated by the college's curriculum and environment, which encouraged exploration of studio-based roles and broader instrumental versatility.[4]Musical Career
Early Collaborations
After leaving Berklee College of Music, where he first met John Mayer, Clay Cook returned to Atlanta and formed the duo Lo-Fi Masters with his former classmate in 1998.[12][3] The pair performed original material and covers in local venues around the Atlanta area, including acoustic sets at spots like Eddie's Attic in Decatur, showcasing Cook's skills on guitar and vocals alongside Mayer's guitar work.[12] Their collaboration highlighted Cook's emerging role as a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter in the Georgia music scene, though the duo disbanded after a short period as Mayer pursued opportunities in the Northeast.[3] In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Cook expanded his professional network through stints with other Atlanta-based artists, including singer-songwriter Shawn Mullins, with whom he toured and recorded, contributing guitar, keyboards, and backing vocals to Mullins' folk-rock sound.[3][13] He also joined an early incarnation of the country duo Sugarland, providing multi-instrumental support on guitar, keys, and vocals during their formative live performances in Georgia clubs and regional tours.[3][13] These engagements underscored Cook's versatility as a performer, allowing him to adapt across genres from folk to emerging country while building his reputation in the Southeast music circuit.[4] Around the turn of the millennium, Cook's involvement with The Marshall Tucker Band marked a significant step in his career, joining as a multi-instrumentalist from 2000 to 2003, where he played flute, saxophone, keyboards, and contributed vocals during tours and recordings.[14][15] This period included performances alongside his uncle, lead singer Doug Gray, blending southern rock traditions with Cook's broad instrumental palette.[14] Additionally, he participated in brief Georgia-based projects like the band Y-O-U, further honing his roles on guitar, keys, and vocals in collaborative settings.[3] These early partnerships laid the groundwork for Cook's reputation as a reliable sideman and contributor in the region's vibrant music community.[4]Work with Zac Brown Band
Clay Cook joined the Zac Brown Band in January 2009 as a multi-instrumentalist, playing electric guitar, keyboards, mandolin, steel guitar, and providing vocals, shortly after the band's debut album The Foundation achieved commercial success with the single "Chicken Fried."[1] His integration into the group came through connections in the Georgia music scene, where both he and frontman Zac Brown had deep roots.[16] Cook played a pivotal role in the band's breakthrough period, contributing to albums such as You Get What You Give (2010) and Uncaged (2012), which expanded the group's sound by blending country, rock, and southern influences, as well as later releases like Jekyll + Hyde (2015), Welcome Home (2017), The Owl (2019), and The Comeback (2021).[10] He participated in major tours starting from 2009, including the band's headline performances at events like the 2009 ACM Awards and extensive arena runs that solidified their mainstream presence in country music.[17] Within the band, Cook enhanced the group dynamics through his versatile musicianship, particularly his high tenor vocals that added layered harmonies to songs like "As She's Walking Away" and "Knee Deep," creating a signature choral depth.[14] His energetic stage presence, marked by fluid switches between instruments and engaging audience interactions, contributed to the band's reputation for lively, improvisational live shows.[9] Cook also helped shape the Zac Brown Band's "family men" ethos, emphasizing a collaborative environment where members balanced personal lives with music-making, as reflected in the group's tight-knit, supportive structure.[3] He participated in the band's communal songwriting process, often co-creating tracks during tours and sessions that prioritized organic, group-driven creativity over individual credits.[18]Solo Career and Production
Clay Cook launched his solo career with the release of his debut album, On Mountain Time, in 2009. The album features an intimate, acoustic folk-rock style, showcasing Cook's songwriting and vocal talents in a collection of 11 tracks that reflect personal introspection and Southern influences.[19][20] He continued his solo endeavors with North Star in 2013, followed by Unobstructed View in 2017. These releases highlight Cook's evolution as an independent artist, incorporating a blend of country, rock, and soul elements across varied arrangements.[20] In addition to his solo output, Cook has established himself as a producer for other artists, notably contributing to Blackberry Smoke's 2012 album The Whippoorwill, where he co-produced alongside the band, Matt Mangano, and Zac Brown. He also produced The Wood Brothers' live albums Live Volume 1: Sky High and Live Volume 2: Nail and Tooth in 2012, handling production, engineering, and mixing duties with Mangano.[21][22][23] Cook's solo work emphasizes his multi-instrumentalist prowess, often performing on guitar, keyboards, mandolin, and more to create layered, genre-blending soundscapes that fuse country roots with rock energy and soulful depth.[24][20]Songwriting Contributions
Credits with John Mayer
Clay Cook and John Mayer developed a close songwriting partnership after meeting as students at Berklee College of Music in the late 1990s.[25] The two bonded over their shared interest in blues-influenced pop and acoustic guitar work, collaborating extensively during their time at school and after dropping out together to relocate to Atlanta, Georgia, where they briefly formed the duo Lo-Fi Masters. This period marked the genesis of several key tracks that would define Mayer's early sound, blending introspective lyrics with accessible melodies. Cook's contributions were most prominent on Mayer's debut studio album, Room for Squares (2001), where he received co-writing credits on multiple songs. Notable collaborations include "No Such Thing," a rebellious anthem critiquing societal expectations, co-written during their Berklee days; "Neon," an upbeat track inspired by late-night bar scenes and electric energy; and "Love Song for No One," a wistful reflection on unrequited romance.[26][27][28] These songs showcased Cook's influence in shaping Mayer's lyrical vulnerability and rhythmic drive, with Cook also providing backing vocals on the album.[29] Among these, "No Such Thing" emerged as a pivotal breakout hit, peaking at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and helping propel Room for Squares to multi-platinum status.[30] The track's success, driven by its radio-friendly hook and Mayer's charismatic live performances, significantly boosted both artists' profiles in the early 2000s singer-songwriter scene, establishing Mayer as a rising star while highlighting Cook's behind-the-scenes role in crafting enduring pop-rock material.[25] Although their direct collaboration waned after Room for Squares due to diverging musical paths, these joint efforts laid a foundational impact on Mayer's initial commercial breakthrough.Other Notable Songwriting
Cook's songwriting extends significantly beyond his early collaborations, particularly through his integral role in the Zac Brown Band's creative process following his 2009 joining. As a multi-instrumentalist and co-writer, he contributed to collaborative sessions that shaped the band's sound on subsequent albums, blending country, rock, and Southern influences into anthemic tracks that resonated with wide audiences. Notable examples include "I Play the Road" from the 2010 album You Get What You Give, a road-trip ode co-written with bandmates Zac Brown, Coy Bowles, Jimmy De Martini, Wyatt Durrette, Chris Fryar, and John Driskell Hopkins, which peaked at No. 21 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.[31] Similarly, "Quiet Your Mind," also from You Get What You Give, reflects themes of introspection and escape, co-authored in the same group effort.[32] On the 2012 album Uncaged, Cook co-penned "Natural Disaster," a reflective piece on resilience amid chaos, again with the full band lineup, contributing to the record's Grammy-winning success for Best Country Album.[33] These efforts highlight his ability to infuse personal narratives into group dynamics, often drawing from Southern roots to craft songs that balance vulnerability with uplift. In his solo work, Cook channels original compositions that delve into themes of Southern life, personal reflection, and growth, offering a more intimate counterpoint to his band contributions. His debut solo album, The Year I Grew Up (2008), features self-penned tracks like the title song, an introspective Beatles-inspired closer that explores maturation and hindsight, set against a backdrop of soulful Southern rock.[34] The follow-up, On Mountain Time (2009), emphasizes contemplative lyrics about time, place, and self-discovery, with songs such as "Mountain Time" evoking Georgia's landscapes and emotional landscapes. North Star (2013) continues this vein, uniting tracks around "watershed moments" in life—pivotal experiences marked by loss and renewal—infused with a gritty Southern-rock edge, as in the title track's celestial metaphor for guidance amid turmoil.[35] Culminating in Unobstructed View (2017), Cook's songwriting here prioritizes raw authenticity, with originals like "Smoke Rise" (featuring Zac Brown Band) addressing faith and redemption through vivid, regional storytelling. These solo endeavors underscore his foundational songwriting style, honed in earlier partnerships, allowing for unfiltered expression of regional identity and introspection.Personal Life
Marriage
Clay Cook married Brooke Ellen Harding on October 25, 2014, at her childhood home in New Hampshire.[36] Cook's marriage aligns with the family-oriented ethos of the Zac Brown Band, where members emphasize personal relationships and home values amid their professional demands.[37] The couple shares a home in Newnan, Georgia, where Cook balances the band's rigorous touring schedule with domestic life by prioritizing returns to the state for reconnection and stability.[37][38]Family
Clay Cook and his wife Brooke have three children together. Their first child, son Charles "Charlie" Robert Cook, was born on November 4, 2016, weighing 8 pounds.[39] Their second son, Theron "Teddie" Maine Cook, arrived on August 22, 2018, at 9:01 p.m., weighing 7 pounds, 12 ounces, and measuring 20 inches long.[40] The couple welcomed their third child and first daughter, Cecilia "Ceci" Ellen Cook, on September 25, 2020; she weighed 7 pounds, 7 ounces, and measured 20 inches at birth, becoming the first girl in the Cook family line since the 1930s.[41][38] The Cook family resides in Newnan, Georgia, where they have built their home life amid Cook's demanding schedule as a touring musician with the Zac Brown Band.[38] Balancing parenthood with extensive road travel presents ongoing challenges, as Cook has shared experiences of integrating family moments into life on tour while prioritizing time at home with his young children.[42]Discography
Solo Albums
Clay Cook's solo discography includes seven full-length albums, primarily self-released in his early career, showcasing his evolution as a singer-songwriter blending folk, rock, and country influences.[24] His early independent releases include Lead Me On (2001, self-released), Self Serving (2003, self-released), and Smoke & Mirrors (2004, self-released).[24] These albums feature original songwriting and multi-instrumental performances, reflecting his post-Berklee experimentation across genres. The Year I Grew Up, released on August 25, 2008 (self-released), contains 13 tracks with a runtime of approximately 46 minutes, including the title song, and emphasizes personal growth themes in a roots rock style.[43] His later album, On Mountain Time, was released on November 17, 2009, and self-released under his own imprint.[19] The album features 11 tracks, including the title song "Mountain Time," "Too Scared to Run," "Reno Desert Wind," "Lost Generation," "Nothing Wrong," "All Because of You," "Validation," "Starting Today," "15 Years," "Settle Down," and "Hope's Highway," with a total runtime of approximately 44 minutes.[44] Characterized by an intimate, acoustic folk-rock style, the record draws on personal introspection and soft-spoken narratives, reflecting Cook's early independent efforts before his prominence with the Zac Brown Band.[20] Cook's next album, North Star, marked a stylistic shift toward a more produced sound, released on October 22, 2013, via Southern Ground Artists.[45] Spanning 11 tracks such as "North Star," "Terrible Timing," "Restless Man," "Lead Me On," "If There's a Chance," "Head First," "Falling Over You," "Compared to What," "Time," "Tonight," and "Good as Gone," it runs about 42 minutes and serves as a personal chronicle of his life from college days to professional successes.[35] The album incorporates richer arrangements and collaborative elements, highlighting Cook's growth in songcraft while maintaining thematic depth in relationships and self-reflection.[46] His most recent solo release as of 2025, Unobstructed View, arrived on November 17, 2017, self-released with a runtime of around 46 minutes across 11 songs, including "Waiting," "Unobstructed View," "Worth Fighting For," "I'm Giving Up on You," "Wildfire," "If She'll Have Me," "Heaven Forgive Me," "Right Down the Line," "Waiting for Time to Run Out," "It Doesn't Get Better Than You," and "Dangerous."[47] This work blends country-rock elements with heartfelt storytelling, recorded over three years amid his touring commitments, emphasizing themes of perseverance and emotional vulnerability.[48] No EPs or standalone singles have been issued outside these albums.Production Discography
Clay Cook has contributed to the production of several albums in the Southern rock and country genres, often collaborating with associates from the Zac Brown Band's Southern Ground Artists label. His roles typically include co-production, engineering, and mixing, drawing on his Berklee College of Music training in production techniques. Notable projects highlight his work with Atlanta-based acts and roots-oriented groups.| Artist | Album | Year | Role | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonia Leigh | 1978 December | 2011 | Co-producer | [49] |
| Blackberry Smoke | The Whippoorwill | 2012 | Producer | [50] |
| The Wood Brothers | Live Volume 1: Sky High | 2012 | Co-producer, Engineer | [22] |
| The Wood Brothers | Live Volume 2: Nail & Tooth | 2012 | Co-producer, Engineer | [23] |
| Levi Lowrey | Levi Lowrey | 2014 | Co-producer | [51] |
Awards and Nominations
Grammy Awards
As a multi-instrumentalist member of the Zac Brown Band since 2009—contributing guitar, keyboards, mandolin, and vocals—Clay Cook has earned two Grammy Awards and shared in four nominations with the group.[2][52] Cook's first Grammy win came at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards in 2011, when the Zac Brown Band received the award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for "As She's Walking Away," featuring Alan Jackson, a track from their album You Get What You Give where Cook provided backing vocals and electric guitar.[53][54] In 2013, at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards, Cook and the band secured their second win for Best Country Album with Uncaged, highlighting their evolving sound and Cook's instrumental arrangements.[55] (Note: The Zac Brown Band's 2010 Grammy win for Best New Artist was for their debut album The Foundation, released prior to Cook's joining, and is not personally credited to him.) In addition to these victories, Cook has been nominated four times with the Zac Brown Band. The group received nominations at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards for Best Country Album (The Foundation) and Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals ("Chicken Fried"). At the 60th Annual Grammy Awards in 2018, they were nominated for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for "My Old Man," a song Cook co-wrote and performed on, drawing from his personal experiences as a father.[52]| Year | Category | Work | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 (53rd) | Best Country Collaboration with Vocals | "As She's Walking Away" (feat. Alan Jackson) | Win |
| 2013 (55th) | Best Country Album | Uncaged | Win |
| 2010 (52nd) | Best Country Album | The Foundation | Nomination |
| 2010 (52nd) | Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals | "Chicken Fried" | Nomination |
| 2018 (60th) | Best Country Duo/Group Performance | "My Old Man" | Nomination |