ClarkCast Podcast: A podcast about life, love, music, and the pursuit of being awesome

Jeff Clark
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Music

Welcome to ClarkCast, where life gets real, love gets honest, music gets loud, and the pursuit of awesomeness never stops. Hosted by Jeff Clark, an award-winning former journalist and entertainment writer, ClarkCast dives deep with the people Jeff thinks are truly awesome. Artists. Creatives. Game-changers. Everyday legends. In every episode, Jeff goes beyond the highlight reel to uncover the “why” behind who they are, what they love, and what drives them. Smart conversations. Big laughs. Real stories. If you’re chasing your own version of awesome, you’re in the right place. 

  1. 1d ago

    ClarkCast Chapter 37: Wiiliam Lee Golden of The Oak Ridge Boys is Awesome!

    My good friend Wiiliam Lee Golden is on a very special episode of ClarkCast! The Oak Ridge Boys will bring their signature harmonies and holiday favorites to the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi on Friday, Nov. 27, as the legendary country music group celebrates a new album and longtime member William Lee Golden shares his life story in a revealing autobiography. Tickets for the group's Christmas show are available through Ticketmaster. The upcoming Gulf Coast performance follows the release of Buried Treasures, a 10-song collection scheduled to arrive Oct. 30 through Lightning Rod Records. The project features the Country Music Hall of Fame group's interpretations of popular country, gospel and pop standards that have influenced its members over more than five decades. Meanwhile, Golden, whose flowing hair and distinctive beard have made him one of country music's most recognizable personalities, is offering fans an unusually personal look at his life in Behind the Beard, an autobiography written with Scot England. Produced by Anderson East and executive produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Dave Cobb, Buried Treasures was recorded at Sanctuary Blonde Studio in Nashville. The album includes classics such as Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water," Bill Withers' "Lean on Me," Louis Armstrong's signature song "What a Wonderful World" and Billy Joe Shaver's "Live Forever." The group's gospel background is reflected in selections including "How Great Thou Art," "Deep River" and "Softly and Tenderly." Other recordings include "Stardust" and "You Are So Beautiful." The album's title track is its only newly written song. Grammy-winning songwriter Aaron Raitiere composed "Buried Treasure" specifically for the project after previously contributing to the group's 2024 album Mama's Boys. Longtime member Duane Allen said the recordings represent songs the group has loved and performed for years but never previously assembled into one collection. The new project also revisits the group's connection with Paul Simon, which began in the 1970s. The Oak Ridge Boys performed and recorded with Simon, including contributing vocals to his hit "Slip Slidin' Away." Nearly 50 years later, the group opens its latest album with "Bridge Over Troubled Water." The recording features Allen, Golden, Richard Sterban and Ben James, who joined the group following Joe Bonsall's retirement before his death in 2024. Bass singer Tim Duncan, who has filled in for Sterban during health-related absences, also contributes to the album. The Oak Ridge Boys, whose career spans gospel, country and popular music, were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015. While the new album reflects the group's musical history, Golden's autobiography provides a more personal account of the experiences that shaped his career. In Behind the Beard, Golden traces his journey from a modest Alabama upbringing to becoming a member of one of the most successful vocal groups in country music history. The memoir recounts his efforts to help move The Oak Ridge Boys from their gospel origins into mainstream country music, as well as stories from decades of recording and touring. Golden also discusses painful chapters in his personal life, including marital difficulties, infidelity and the circumstances surrounding his nine-year absence from the group. He recounts his eventual reconciliation and return to the Oaks. The autobiography also answers longstanding questions about his famous beard, including why he began growing it and whether he would ever consider shaving it. Golden acknowledged that sharing such private experiences with readers was daunting, particularly at age 82, but said he wanted to tell his story openly. Together, the album, autobiography and upcoming Christmas tour underscore the lasting appeal of The Oak Ridge Boys, whose combination of gospel harmonies and country hits has entertained generations of fans. The group's Nov. 27 performance at Beau Rivage will give Mississippi Gulf Coast audiences another opportunity to experience one of country music's most enduring acts.

  2. Oct 5

    ClarkCast Chapter 36: Cristy Lee, Courtney Hansen, and Back 2 Mac are Awesome!

    We're Cruisin' The Coast on a very special episode of ClarkCast, sponsored by the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino. Join special guests Cristy Lee, Courtney Hansen, and members of Back 2 Mac as we celebrate 30 years of Cruisin' The Coast. Wednesday, Oct. 7 at the Beau Rivage: Cristy Lee 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Star of Cruisin' and Celebrity IOU: Joyride Courtney Hansen 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Star of Ride of Your Life, Overhaulin' and Powerblock Back 2 Mac: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac Beau Rivage Theatre Wednesday, October 7, 2026 Back 2 Mac Fleetwood Mac Tribute at 7:30pm Doors open at 6:00pm Individual Tickets: $20 Must be 18+ Call the Beau Rivage Box Office at 888-566-7469

  3. Oct 1

    ClarkCast Chapter 35: Natalie Creel Bailey is Awesome!

    Natalie Creel Bailey is a native of Harrison County, MS, where she grew up in the Saucier area, and her family still lives in Biloxi. She lives in Nashville, where she is owns and operates Lady Savage Management and PR, a music management and public relations firm. Her clients include Amanda Shaw, who was also on a recent episode of ClarkCast. Natalie Bailey is a brand manager, music publicist, and founder of Lady Savage Management & PR, with a career rooted in both the creative and business sides of the music industry. Bailey began her professional music journey in 2006 as a teenage singer-songwriter on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. As an independent artist, she handled nearly every aspect of her career herself, from booking tours and arranging co-writes to overseeing merchandise, branding, wardrobe, music releases, copyright, and performing rights. Her work as an artist took her to respected stages and songwriter festivals, including The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville and the 30A Songwriters Festival in Florida. She also opened for and performed alongside artists including Mat Kearney, Jennifer Knapp and Shawn Colvin. In 2011, her song “To California” was named a finalist in the International Songwriting Competition, and several of her songs were licensed for use by Discovery Network, MTV, Showtime and BRAVO. Those experiences helped Bailey discover a growing passion for artist management, branding and public relations. In 2013, she moved to Nashville and began helping local artists with branding, tour booking and media campaigns. She also worked at SESAC, gaining experience in copyright, licensing and songwriter and publisher royalties. Bailey later joined a Nashville branding company, where she advanced from intern to brand manager and worked with clients connected to artists and organizations including Reba McEntire, Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, Dolly Parton, RCA Studio A, HGTV, TEDx, The Today Show, and LIONSGATE. In 2019, Bailey launched Lady Savage Management & PR, a boutique brand management and public relations firm. Through Lady Savage, she has secured media coverage for clients with outlets including CMT, American Songwriter, NPR, MusicRow Magazine, Lightning 100, Forbes, and New Noise Magazine. She has also led branding and artist development campaigns for emerging independent performers, helping connect them with Grammy Award-winning producers, SXSW official showcases, and editorial playlist support from Apple Music, TIDAL, Pandora, and YouTube Music. Today, Bailey brings the perspective of a former working artist to her role in management and publicity, helping musicians develop their brands, tell their stories and navigate the business side of the industry.

  4. Sep 23

    ClarkCast Chapter 33: Emily Diament is Awesome!

    My good friend and PR pro Emily Diament is on the next ClarkCast. Emily is a ride-or-die New Orleanian, a mother of two girls, and an all-around lovely person. Emily is the longtime PR rep for Hangout Fest and 2025's Sand in My Boots. I met Emily when I covered Hangout Fest a few years ago, and she is amazing. I'm honored she took the time to do this because she is the busiest! EmilyDiamnet.com

  5. Sep 21

    ClarkCast Chapter 32: Gina Gomez is Awesome!

    Louisiana-based comedy producer and comic Gina Gomez (Gina G) is on the latest episode of ClarkCast. From the Northshore to Bay St. Louis, Gina G. is producing legendary comedy shows with Louisiana flair.  Comedian, Emcee, Producer & Writer Emcee parties, roasts, fundraisers BOOKING INFO: (504) 296-7021 Follow her on Facebook

  6. Sep 16

    ClarkCast Chapter 31: Joshua Thomspon is Awesome!

    Joshua Thompson is a singer/songriter who has been performing since he was three. His 2021 debut EP "A Little Bit Better" is available on Spotify and all music platforms. Since 2013, he has been the drummer for Wang Chung, whose soundtrack to "To Live and Die in L.A." just turned 40. Joshua talks about the new songs he's about to release, singing country music with his parents, the lore of Conway Twitty, and life on the road with Wang Chung. Joshua Thompson is on the ClarkCast Podcast.

  7. Sep 9

    ClarkCast Chapter 30: Audrey Jane is Awesome!

    Audrey Jane is a Nashville-based singer/songwiter. Her debut album "Evolution" and her singles are available on Spotify and Apple Music. She is a music content creator who posts the popular "Name That Tune." You can follow her on Instagram at @audreyjane_music, Facebook, and YouTube. You can also find the latest information regarding new music and shows on her website.  Audrey Jane is on the ClarkCast!

  8. Sep 8

    ClarkCast Chapter 29: Amanda Shaw is Awesome!

    On a very special epsiode of ClarkCast, New Orleans music legend Amanda Shaw stops by to talk about life, in New Orleans, meeting Drew Brees at the Mardi Gras, recording with Choppa and much more. Here latest album "Rhythym of My Roots" was recorded in Nashville with the legendary Dolly Parton collaborator Kent Wells.  Amanda will be at Ground Zero in Biloxi on Saturday, Sept. 12. Tickets start at $22 and are available here. Amanda Shaw is on the ClarkCast...

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About

Welcome to ClarkCast, where life gets real, love gets honest, music gets loud, and the pursuit of awesomeness never stops. Hosted by Jeff Clark, an award-winning former journalist and entertainment writer, ClarkCast dives deep with the people Jeff thinks are truly awesome. Artists. Creatives. Game-changers. Everyday legends. In every episode, Jeff goes beyond the highlight reel to uncover the “why” behind who they are, what they love, and what drives them. Smart conversations. Big laughs. Real stories. If you’re chasing your own version of awesome, you’re in the right place. 

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