The Clark Family Experience
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Country music |
The Clark Family Experience was a country music ensemble from the United States, consisting of six brothers—Alan (guitar, vocals), Aaron (bass, vocals), Adam (mandolin, vocals), Ashley (fiddle), Andrew (drums), and Austin (lap steel guitar, keyboards)—originating from Virginia.
They secured a recording contract with Curb Records in 2000 and launched their career with the single "Meanwhile Back at the Ranch". This track climbed into the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart and ranked as the thirteenth best-selling country single historically. The song was featured on their self-titled first album released in 2001, which generated four singles that charted. However, financial challenges led to their bankruptcy filing and subsequent breakup within the same year.
In 2007, three members—Adam, Ashley, and Austin—reassembled under the name The Clark Brothers. They achieved victory on Fox's talent competition The Next Great American Band before adopting the name Sons of Sylvia.
Biography
The six siblings—Aaron, Adam, Alan, Andrew, Ashley, and Austin—belong to a musical family of eleven children. Their professional journey began in 1993 performing as The Clark Family Experience.
They gained national recognition as recurring performers on The Oak Ridge Boys’ 1998 television series on The Nashville Network, titled Live From Las Vegas, which ran for 15 episodes.
In 2000, Curb Records signed the group. They toured as opening acts for notable country stars such as Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, with McGraw also co-producing their debut album released on February 27, 2001. This album produced four singles that appeared on the Billboard country charts: "Meanwhile Back at the Ranch" reached the Top 20 and became a significant commercial success; "Standin' Still" peaked at No. 36; however, the other singles failed to break into the Top 40.
Bankruptcy
One year following their debut album release, The Clark Family Experience filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, reporting debts exceeding $800,000 owed to Curb Records. The band attributed their financial downfall to poor management and unfavorable contractual terms. Curb Records sought to have the bankruptcy filings dismissed, accusing the band of attempting to terminate their contract prematurely and pursued a legal injunction to block them from recording with other labels. By August 2003, Curb withdrew its lawsuit. Shortly thereafter, the group dissolved. In 2008, Adam, Ashley, and Austin regrouped as The Clark Brothers and won the television contest The Next Great American Band. They later changed their name to Sons of Sylvia in 2009.
The Clark Family Experience
- Aaron Clark – bass guitar, upright bass, vocals
- Adam Clark – bass guitar, mandolin, electric guitar, vocals
- Alan Clark – acoustic guitar, harmonica, vocals
- Andrew Clark – drums
- Ashley Clark – fiddle, acoustic guitar
- Austin Clark – Dobro, acoustic guitar, piano
Additional musicians
- Mike Brignardello – bass guitar
- Larry Byrom – acoustic guitar
- Dan Dugmore – pedal steel guitar
- Paul Franklin – pedal steel guitar
- Aubrey Haynie – fiddle
- Michael Landau – electric guitar
- B. James Lowry – electric guitar
- Brent Mason – electric guitar
- Steve Nathan – keyboards
- Biff Watson – acoustic guitar
- Lonnie Wilson – drums
- Glenn Worf – bass guitar
Chart performance
Template:Album chart| Chart (2002) | Highest ranking |
|---|
Singles
| Year | Track | Highest positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Country | US | ||
| 2000 | "Meanwhile Back at the Ranch"[A] | 18 | 80 |
| 2001 | "Standin' Still" | 34 | — |
| "To Quote Shakespeare" | 51 | — | |
| 2002 | "Going Away" | 44 | — |
| "—" indicates singles that did not enter the charts | |||
- Notes
- A^ On November 6, 2000, shortly before RPM ceased operations, "Meanwhile Back at the Ranch" attained number 39 on the RPM Country Tracks chart.
Music videos
| Year | Video title |
|---|---|
| 2000 | "Meanwhile Back at the Ranch" |
| 2002 | "Going Away" |