MuzicNotez: First off, it’s an honor to be doing this interview with you, thanks for taking the time to sit down with us.

What motivated you to start creating music? What age did you begin?

• Clayton Saunders: Ever since I was about seven years old there were two things I wanted to become 1. A professional musician/singer and a jockey. I began learning piano at aged seven. Playing light classical music and then when I heard the Beatles I saw her standing There I was hooked and went straight into pop music.

  2. I love horses and actually trained to be a jockey but eventually I grew taller and after I was exposed to the Beatles, music won out anyway.

MuzicNotez: Who were your musical influences, idols, or bands growing up that have helped mold you into the musician you are today? Or helped mold the music that you create?

• Clayton Saunders: My early influences were as far as bands go – The Beatles, The Monkees, The Rolling Stones (their early stuff), Hermans Hermits. As far as singers go it was Cliff Richard, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Jim Reeves, Dolly Parton, Perry Como, Andy Williams, Patsy Cline, The Andrew Sisters.

MuzicNotez: What’s the ultimate goal you want your music to achieve, or for you to achieve in your career as a musician? Any particular message you wish to send?

• Clayton Saunders: To have established international artists cut my songs and establish me as Internationally recognised and respected songwriter. To have doors to the industry decision makers stay open for me in the hope that will lead to greater opportunities for me as a songwriter

  I’ll be 71 in April 2021 and my desire to be a successful songwriting is stronger than ever. My primary goal is to become the best songwriter that I can be and share my music with the world. Having already released my music on all digital platforms and having people vote for me on the different charts in my humble opinion is success. My legacy besides my beautiful children will be my music and through that medium expressing the best version of myself everyday

  Ensure you get some skin in the game. Learn, study, improve yourself both personally and musically. Step up to the plate and take your best swing every time.

  Employ the 3P’s process:
  1. Practice – makes you proficient; remember progress not perfection. Perfection is a myth
  2. Patience – is about divine timing; having faith and trust in yourself and your abilities and in the universal power that is greater than yourself
  3. Persistence – staying the course brings your goals to fruition. Success favours the ready mind

MuzicNotez: What’s the greatest concert you’ve ever been to or performed?

• Clayton Saunders: The largest concert I ever played at was here in Australia back in the late 70’s at an annual show called the Wandong Country Music Festival. Performing to over 52 thousand country music lovers.

  The greatest concert I ever went to was watching Cliff Richard perform at his 35 anniversary world tour here at the Vodaphone arena in Melbourne Australia.

MuzicNotez: With over 50 years experience in the music industry, what advice do you have for emerging artists to succeed?

• Clayton Saunders: Music is timeless and has no age limits if you are passionate about your craft whatever that might be. Keep honing your skills in you chosen field, network and raise your profile. Cultivate good daily habits, be consistent by taking daily actions even if they’re baby steps, believe in yourself. The best investment you can make ins yourself. Most importantly create your own mantra and allow it to guide you every step of the way. My personal mantra – Never Give Up no matter what.

MuzicNotez: Your latest release is the single ‘The Marriage Box’, what inspired this release?

• Clayton Saunders: I was inspired to write this song in the hope of giving people a personal insight to what could be powerful ingredients towards creating and sustaining a happy married life.

  I did a survey by talking to couples mostly older who had been married for 20, 30, 40 years and more. I asked them about the sanctity of marriage and if there were any specific ingredients, a secret sauce or blueprint that was a guide to their long standing relationships. I crafted their answers and insights into this song and hopefully have done their wisdoms and experiences justice. Have a listen and hopefully it will inspire and guide you to create and enjoy a successful fulfilling relationship whether it be marriage or just sharing your hopes and dreams with your life partner.

MuzicNotez: You’re known as a songwriter, what’s your song writing style like?

• Clayton Saunders: I really like to write songs that have substance. Story songs that catch the imagination. Songs that are relatable and have catchy melodies and great hooks that people can sing-a-long to and that are hopefully memorable.

MuzicNotez: What else are you working on? What can we expect to see and hear from you in the future?

• Clayton Saunders: Beside writing in the country music genre I’m currently working on adding Christian/Gospel music to my songwriting repertoire as well. Hopefully in the not too distant feature you will hear my songs being not only being played on radio but on TV commercials, TV sitcoms and movies. I like to dream big!

MuzicNotez: Anything else you wish to say about yourself or your music? Any message for your fans?

• Clayton Saunders: I’m a down to earth person and believe I’m one of the few last remaining gentlemen left in the world. I was brought up with great values and to see every person regardless of race, culture or creed simply as another human being. Integrity, respect, equality and treating others as you yourself would like to be treated is a great way to live one’s life.