|
Lead singer and songwriter, Shane Clouse grew up in Missoula working the family owned and operated Pink Grizzly nursery on Russel Street. Clouse is the youngest of eight children. The property has been a family nursery since 1956.“My family has been very supportive,” said Shane. “The family business is seasonal and allows me the time I need to focus on my greatest passion.” In 2000, at the age of 26, Shane moved to Nashville to see what Graceland had to offer. During his 3-year stay, he learned about the country music industry and found a style to go along with his 15 years of voice training. Shane is an active member of Missoula Children’s Theatre where he acts, dances and sings in theatre productions. Shane graduated from Montana State with a BA in Agriculture Business and after working behind the scenes for a few years advertising and promoting, Shane became fed up with the unfulfilling slavery to corporate America and decided to take control of his destiny. After Nashville, Shane moved back to Missoula where he released his first album. At the album release party at the Union Club, Shane met Zach Millar, the band’s bassist. The two played together like ducks on water and Zach helped organize the band. Lead guitarist, Ryan Fadden soon joined and an unexpected phone call led to drummer Mark Sickich. The rest is history and Stomping Ground keeps making it.
Although Shane is the
primary songwriter, all band members contribute to writing the
songs. “It is nearly impossible to get together for practice and
come up with something from nothing. When we start a new idea, we
usually break up into Check out these tunes: Bad side of Good Finer Things New Orleans
“Without a good band, you can’t be a Mick Jaeger, you can only be a James Taylor.” Shane Clouse
|
Missoula’s
own Shane Clouse and Stomping Ground have once again outdone
themselves and will soon release a new album. Local Missoula caught
up with Shane and got down to the basics of what it takes to produce
records and take the big show to the next level. With a heavy press
pack, including Montana ’s Top Country Act honors at the 2005
Montana State “Colgate Country Showdown” competition in Great
Falls, the band has grown accustomed to somewhat of a ‘local’
celebrity status. In fact, they were runners up for the Western U.S.
regional competition, which included over 1000 acts. They have
opened for Joe Nichols, country legend Don Williams, the
Ike Reilly Assassination, and Phil Vasser. Stomping Ground
has also opened twice for Sawyer Brown; once in 2004 and most
recently on May 5, 2006 at the Adams Center in Missoula
Most
of the guys have a classical background and have solid training in
music theory. Shane admits his theory is probably the weakest, and
he occasionally needs help transposing or switching keys. In spite
of lagging in the theory department, Shane provides the energy and
game face that gets the crowd rowdy. “Sometimes it’s hard, after a
long day of work; but no matter what kind of day you have, you have
a stage presence to uphold and a new crowd of people to rock. Shane
said the best compliment he’s ever received was, ‘I don’t really
like country music per se, but I just can’t help it when you guys
play.” When Stomping Ground thinks of their place within the
country scene, they see wide-open genre performances at conducive
venues. The band keeps in good health and maintains high energy for
the entire show.
groups of two. Then we whittle it down in pairs and switch off.
The lyrics often don’t come until the very end. It keeps us all
creative and interactive. It’s our best approach.” The band
handles all matters of business as a democracy. Although Shane is
the lead man and takes care of the majority of the business end, the
rest of the members share in the responsibilities of keeping the
train rolling. Look for Stomping Ground at the Union Club and at
Sean Kelly’s in March. Their complete schedule and more info on the
band is posted @
