For Immediate Release: 


Rounder Records Signs Arkansas Born-and-Based JD Clayton

Clayton Announces BLUE SKY SUNDAYS Headlining Full Band Fall Tour 


Jul 16, 2024 - Nashville, Tenn. - Rounder Records, one of the world's most historic roots, Americana, and bluegrass record labels, is pleased to announce the signing of Arkansas’ native son JD Clayton to its esteemed roster of artists. Clayton will join a 50+ year legacy of seminal music output from the likes of Gregg Allman, Indigo Girls, Alison Krauss, and Steve Martin & Edie Brickell, as well as critically acclaimed  talents Sierra Ferrell, Samantha Fish, I’m With Her, Sarah Jarosz, Ruston Kelly, Amythyst Kiah, and Katie Pruitt, to name a few. 


"I'm not sure that I've ever been this excited,” says Clayton. “Where I come from in Arkansas, dreams like this are really fairytales that live forever in the back of your mind. I can't wait to be a part of the Rounder family. It's going to be a crazy adventure." 


Rounder’s President Stephanie Hudacek echoes with, “JD drew us in from the start. His determination, talent as a songwriter, powerful live performance, and rich, dynamic vocal range make him an artist we couldn’t be more excited to work with.” 


Clayton’s earnest lyrics and lived-in vocals are his signature, delivered with a balance of warmth and resolve. His April ‘24 single, “High Hopes and Low Expectations,” tells the story of a young man searching for a better self and greener pastures, leaving his small town for the glamour of the big city. “This is really a song to myself,” says Clayton who co-wrote the song  with Nashville veteran Kendell Marvel


His debut album, Long Way From Home, was released in early 2023 and received overwhelming critical acclaim landing him coveted touring opportunities alongside Dwight Yoakam, Old Crow Medicine Show, Tanner Usrey, Shane Smith & The Saints, Vincent Neil Emerson, Parker McCollum, Brent Cobb, Ashley McBryde and playing tastemaker festivals such as Bonnaroo, Rebels & Renegades, Born & Raised, and Dreamy Draw. 

BLUE SKY SUNDAYS fall tour announce: Clayton and the band will take the aforementioned songs from Long Way From Home as well as a batch of new ones to the fans as they always have, continuing to build his fanbase touring market by market, city by city. A full list of BLUE SKY SUNDAYS headlining shows is below. Tickets go on sale 10 AM local time on Friday, July 19 for all markets. For more information, please visit jdclaytonofficial.com


On tour: 

August 30 @ White Water Tavern – Little Rock, AR*

September 6 @ Reflection Plaza – Telluride, CO

September 12 @ Carol’s Pub – Chicago IL *

September 13 @ Old Rock House – St. Louis, MO* 

September 14 @ Hi-Fi Indy – Indianapolis, IN*

September 20 @ Pretentious – Knoxville, TN*

September 27 @ Zydeco – Birmingham, AL*

September 28 @ The Grey Eagle – Asheville, NC*

October 3 @ Mercury Lounge – Tulsa, OK*

October 5 @ Andy’s Bar – Denton, TX *

October 9 @ Barleycorn’s – Wichita, KS*

October 11 @ Globe Hall – Denver, CO*

October 12 @ Oskar Blues – Colorado Springs, CO* 

October 16 @ Mercury Lounge – New York, NY*

October 17 @ Pearl Street Warehouse – Washington, DC*

October 18 @ Club Café – Pittsburgh, PA*

October 19 @ The Foundry – Philadelphia, PA*

October 24 @ The Burl - Lexington, Kentucky* 

December 6 @ Exit In - Nashville, TN*

*Leon Majcen opens


About JD Clayton: JD Clayton’s debut album, Long Way From Home, was released in early 2023 receiving overwhelming critical acclaim. There’s no artifice surrounding the Arkansas–born singer and songwriter. No glitz. No pretension or mythology. There’s a refreshing lack of gratuitous posturing. Named one of 2023’s most anticipated Americana albums by Wide Open Country, the debut, 10-song offering has simplicity and sincerity running throughout. Earnest lyrics and lived-in vocals are delivered with a balance of warmth and resolve, and his timeless sound has an immediate appeal. Touring-wise, 2023 was spent building fans market by market, city by city while touring with Dwight Yoakam, Old Crow Medicine Show, Josh Turner, Tanner Usrey, Pat Green, Shane Smith & The Saints, Vincent Neil Emerson, Parker McCollum, Hank Williams Jr., Brent Cobb, Ashley McBryde, Cole Chaney and playing tastemaker festivals such as Bonnaroo, Rebels & Renegades, Born & Raised, and Dreamy Draw. On the heels of his debut album’s success, Clayton is putting finishing touches on his forthcoming self-produced record to be announced to be released via Rounder Records in early 2025. 


About Rounder Records: Founded in 1970, Rounder Records is one of the world's most historic roots, Americana and bluegrass record labels. Nashville-based Rounder continues to raise the bar for high-quality roots-based music, with critically acclaimed offerings from iconic artists Gregg Allman, Indigo Girls, Alison Krauss, and Steve Martin & Edie Brickell, as well as promising talents Sierra Ferrell, Samantha Fish, I’m With Her, Sarah Jarosz, Ruston Kelly, Amythyst Kiah, and Katie Pruitt, to name a few.


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Introducing JD Clayton

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