Inducted in 2024
Clayton Lewis is a multi-talented individual, a music writer, producer, promoter and an accomplished instrumentalist. He started playing the piano at the age of seven and at the age of fourteen he was also proficient on the mandolin.
In 1979, Clayton co-founded a mail order business, together with his wife Mary, called “Claymar Record Sales.” This business operated until 1991 and involved a great deal of travelling, especially to bluegrass festivals, to sell and promote country and bluegrass recordings with a special emphasis on Maritime artists in order to help their careers.
Clayton also produced two bluegrass albums for Claymar Record Sales in 1981 and 1982. The first album contained two original songs written by Clayton, and also received a review in Bluegrass Unlimited, the leading bluegrass publication in North America. Both albums received air play throughout the Maritimes.
In 1989 Clayton began working on creating MIDI files for artists to use in their live performances and in the recording studio. He programmed approximately 3000 songs in the MIDI format, mostly country, for many performers, which included such wellknown artists as Jim Haggart and Brent Williams.
Clayton is a builder, promoter, musical director, originator and co-founder (along with Dave Coggins) of Bonded Stock, a wellknown band out of western Nova Scotia. He went on to produce several albums containing original songs written by himself and Dave. Some of these original compositions received national air play and made the top ten country charts across Canada. In 2023 Bonded Stock celebrated 50 years in the music industry.
Clayton has received many Certificates of Appreciation for his musical accomplishments and performances over the years. As a promoter of country, bluegrass and old-time music, he has also received many accolades and reviews over the years, not only for his accomplishments as a producer, but also for his abilities as an organizer and musician.
A great community-minded person, Clayton gives freely of his time to help those in need and to improve and support such services as Fire Departments, Legions and other community services and charitable events.
