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

We last talked earlier this year, what’s new with you since then?

• Clayton Saunders: Firstly, thank you once again for offering me another interview. Much appreciated.
  I’ve been busy writing new songs and crafting them to the best of my ability. I also turned 71 in April this year. Not bad for an ageing musician…hehe. My dearest friend o 50 years passed away a month ago. His family and mine were very close and we both watched each other’s children grow up. He was my singing partner in a folk/pop duo that we were extremely well known for back in the early 70’s. I gave the Eulogy at his funeral. The world’s a lesser place now. I miss him dearly and as we get older more of our friends and family cross the rainbow. Such is life.

MuzicNotez: Covid hit the entertainment industry hard. Have things been getting a little more normal for you there now that the pandemic is winding down?

• Clayton Saunders: Well, here in Australia it’s one step forward and two steps back. We came out of lockdown but we’re back in it again for another 5 days here in Victoria. It’s the state I live in. Simply because of those handful people who are not community minded and put everyone at risk because of their selfish actions. Hopefully, we’ll get past it again before too long. The reality is that this is the new “normal’. I don’t think it’s going to change too much really. I’ve had both my covid jabs and because of my age I was able to get it done pretty quickly.

MuzicNotez: You’re working on putting your first traditional country album together for to send in to the Australian Golden Guitar Awards. First of all, congrats and good luck! How are things coming along?

• Clayton Saunders: Yes, it’s exciting. The album will be released late August or early September. It’s coming along swimmingly thanks for asking. The awards actually take place in Late January 2022 but the nominations have to be in by September 30 2021. I have to endure I meet the deadline to qualify and I will.

MuzicNotez: What else can you tell us about this contest? How come you chose to enter it? What could you win?

• Clayton Saunders: Here in Australia the Tamworth Golden Guitar Awards are a very prestigious affair. Tamworth is the capital of country music here in Australia. Every artist budding or veteran wants to showcase their ability and songs in in this event. It gives one’s career a real shot in the arm. For newbies it could be a kickstart and for professionals it helps to cement their careers even further.
  I chose to enter because back in the 1984 I was nominated in the best song category award for my song Angel Eyes. While I didn’t win it was an honour to receive the nomination. I’m entering my songs in the Best Traditional Country, Best Male Vocal, Best Country Song and Song of the Year. Fingers crossed!

MuzicNotez: How far along are you in the album so far? You said it needs to have 7 songs, how many are done?

• Clayton Saunders: The album is almost ready. I just have to get the artwork done. I am fortunate to have a plethora of songs in the bag. So I’ve already chosen the seven I want to use on the album. The final one has just arrived back from Nashville and will definitely be included on the album.

MuzicNotez: Being known as a great songwriter, this challenge must be very exciting for you. What’s it like writing songs when you have a deadline though?

• Clayton Saunders: It is exciting to craft one’s songs to the point where one believes they are good enough to enter a revered event like this one. I try not to put myself under any undue pressure. I received the booklet with the format in Feb of this year, so I’ve been busy looking for inspiration and then turning those ideas into great songs.

MuzicNotez: You have a new single about to be dropped which I know you’re excited about. What can you tell us about that?

• Clayton Saunders: I’m absolutely thrilled about my new single. The inspiration is my beautiful Life Partner. She is my twin flame and I wrote the song to let her know just how I feel about her and how much she means to me. The lyrics and melody just ‘Came to me’ and when one has their true love right beside them everyday and the feeling is mutual, it’s easy to pur it into a song.
  It’s not a country song as such, I would describe it more of a world song. There’s a beautiful sax solo in it that I wrote the lines for.
  If you remember the big hit by Crystal Gayle ‘Don’t it make my brown eyes blue,’ well my song while it has completely different lyrics, melody and arrangement, it has the same style/feel to it. It’s called ‘For The Rest Of My Life’ and has been described as Smooth and Classy with the potential of becoming and Evergreen song given the right amount of air play and exposure.
  I’d like you to review it for your magazine if you’re interested.

MuzicNotez: What else are you working on? What can we expect to see and hear from you after this project is complete?

• Clayton Saunders: Once this album is released I’ll be working on the next album for release late 2022. I’ll also be picking the best songs from my catalogue to be released once every three months as I did this year.

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

• Clayton Saunders: I’ve been blessed to be getting air play on various independent radio stations here in Australia and also around the world like Holland, England, Sri Lanka and in some parts of the USA. I’ve appeared on Gethsemane on TV and done a few radio interviews as well.
  I’d like to say to my fans that they can listen to my songs on SoundCloud where they can like my song, repost them and become followers if they so wish. All my songs are available for purchase on my music website ClaytonSaundersmusic.com

  My YouTube channel is Clayton Saunders Music where my lyric videos can be viewed. I currently have 677 subscribers but would love to have more so if and when anyone goes to my YouTube channel if they could give me a thumbs up and subscribe that would awesome. Independent artists like myself do it the hard way and we appreciate any support we can get.