Why Showing Up Changes Everything | Kyle Clark

Send us Fan MailWhat if the biggest moments in your life come down to one simple decision?Show up.This week on Here’s What We Know, we sit down with rising country artist and songwriter Kyle Clark for a conversation about faith, songwriting, Nashville, and the unpredictable moments that can change everything.Kyle shares the story behind how one late-night decision to “just show up” led to a song eventually recorded by Blake Shelton after first being held by HARDY and Morgan Wallen.The episode explores creativity, resilience, purpose, and the small moments that shape our lives forever.If you’ve ever wondered whether the little decisions in life really matter, this episode is a reminder that sometimes the moments that change everything begin with simply walking through the door.In This Episode:How hit country songs are really writtenMoving from Georgia to NashvilleLeaving college to pursue music full-timeLearning to trust timing instead of forcing outcomesWhy great songs sometimes sit for years before finding the right artistThe role faith plays in creativity and songwritingThe emotional reality of chasing a dream in NashvilleWhy vulnerability matters in both music and lifeHow persistence and consistency open unexpected doorsWhy “showing up” became the defining lesson of his careerThis episode is sponsored by: Mike Counsil Plumbing & Rooter (Use code “Gary” to get $89 off any service!) License #: 679261Bison Junk Removal (Be sure to tell them Gary sent you!)Bio:Kyle Clark is a songwriter, artist, and producer born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and raised in the small town of Jefferson, Georgia. His love for country music, paired with a diverse range of influences and a strong work ethic, has shaped his unique sound. After winning the 101.5 Kicks Radio competition in Atlanta two years in a row, Clark’s music caught the attention of hit songwriter and producer Jordan Schmidt (Kane Brown, Tyler Hubbard, Jason Aldean). In 2019, Schmidt offered Clark a joint venture publishing deal with Sony Music Publishing. Within a year, Clark co-wrote his first RIAA-certified Platinum single, “Villain” by Lily Rose. When the global pandemic hit, Clark focused his energy on producing his own music, learning from his mentor Jordan Schmidt and his roommate Jacob Durrett (Morgan Wallen, ERNEST). His dedication paid off in early 2022 when a video of his song went viral on TikTok, driving over 21,000 pre-saves for “Hope It’s Hot Out,” which was released on May 27, 2022. The track crossed 1 million streams in its first week and has since amassed over 40 million streams independently across all platforms. In 2024, Clark signed a new publishing deal with Relative Music Group, and has since landed cuts with major country acts including HARDY, Blake Shelton, Dylan Scott, Jon Pardi, Mitchell Tenpenny, Restless Road, Mackenzie Carpenter, Erin Kinsey, and Chayce Beckham.Website: https://www.kyleclarkmusic.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KyleClarkMusicInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kyleclarkmusic/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kyleclarkmusicFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/KyleClarkMusicTags: Kyle Clark, Gary Scott Thomas podcast, Nashville songwriter interview, country music podcast, Blake Shelton Let Him In Anyway, HARDY songwriter story, Morgan Wallen songwriting, country songwriting process, how hit songs are written, Nashville music industry, faith and creativity, storytelling podcast, songwriter interview, Kyle Clark Nashville, creative persistence, showing up changes everything, music industry inspiration, country artist interviewConnect with Gary:Gary's WebsiteFollow Gary on InstagramGary's TiktokGary's FacebookWatch the episodes on YouTubeAdvertise on the PodcastThank you for listening. Let us know what you think about this episode. Leave us a review!