Claye Middleton

In the past year, Claye Middleton has shown Australia just how much potential he has.Locally, nationally and internationally Claye continues to win over his audiences with his charming yet charismatic stage presence, marking his style as uniquely his own.After a successful promotional trip to New Zealand Claye returned to Australia to compete as aTop 20 finalist in this years Toyota Starmaker Competition held in Tamworth.With 17 years of musical experience and a debut album under his belt Claye is hardly an unfamiliar face in the Country Music scene, winning many major titles at various festivals throughout Australia and New Zealand. Taking the stage at the age of two Claye won his first major award in the junior section in the Gold Guitars in New Zealand when he was just 8 years old. His talents have captured the attention of big names such as Lee Kernaghan, Troy Casser-Daley, Bill Chambers, Carter & Carter and Felicity Urquart, giving Claye support acts, performance opportunities and mentoring others could only dream about.With the release of his debut album ‘Your Way Home’ in September 2005 in New Zealand Claye’s show sold out within one week, with audiences traveling internationally to attend the event. Described as an ''Old Soul" by critic Keith Glass, Claye’s original compositions are a combination of current events and personal stories written in a mainstream country style.With the entrancing sounds of Bill Chambers, Glen Hannah, Dash McIvor and Hanuman Dass (some of Australia’s top musicians) its no wonder Claye’s album stands out from the pack."It was a great thrill for me to play on Claye's Album. He's a great Singer/Songwriter, producing a sound and lyrics that you'd expect from someone much older. The album is up with the best of any Australian releases" -Bill ChambersIn the past year Claye's recognized success has spread nationwide after taking out the 'Hawking Brothers Best New Talent' and placing as a finalist in ‘Male Vocal’, ‘Smokey Dawson Best Independent Release’, ‘Trailblazers Heritage Award’ Section in the Victorian National Country Music Awards in 2006. Claye Continued to make the Top 10 in ‘Male Vocal’ and ‘Trailblazers Heritage Award’ section in 2007 Claye also made the Top 4 in the Mildura Australian Independent Country Music Awards also for 'Best New Talent' in September 2005, with his originals nominated in all sections. Claye has achieved success way beyond someone his age wowing audiences with his original compositions.In 2005 he was also recognized in the MacDonald’s Young Star Awards and described as the ''Up and coming country music talent in Queensland”, capturing the attention of Popular TV show ''Extra'' who covered his successful gigs at Toyota National Music Muster. Claye was re-booked for 2006 after packing out the Tavern and leaving his audience screaming for more second year running.With two successful singles released by NFS so far off his debut album Claye has received high rotational airplay locally, nationally and internationally with the intentions of releasing his next single “1933” at the Toyota National Music Muster this year in 2007.