The Beacon News - Outlook Section - Tuesday, January 21, 1997
"Guitar man, Waiting for his big break"

 Auroran overcomes obstacles and tours with Ted Nugent

"It was such a dream come true. You work so hard to get a break - any break you can and then to be able to have such an opportunity is unbelievable," said Fox Valley guitarist and songwriter T.D. Clark about playing the opening act on the Ted Nugent and Bad Company tour.

Aurora - T.D. Clark never thought that when he picked up his first acoustic guitar at age 10, that action would ultimately change the course of his life. He did not realize that one day his guitar would enable him to play before thousands of people, put him in the company of famous rock musicians and drive him to produce his own record.

But what was most difficult for this 23-year-old Aurora resident to comprehend was how much work attaining those realities would require. It is the best kept secret of rock and roll and something that Clark said he has learned the hard way.

"You start off thinking that you just want to play music," he said. "You don't realize just how much effort it takes to get those opportunities of a lifetime." Immersed in music since he was a child, Clark was originally interested in piano but because his family could not afford one, he was given a guitar instead. Without much outside guidance, he taught himself how to read music and play songs by ear. By high school, he was getting his first taste at playing live shows at local teen centers and small bars.

He then set out to write and produce his own solo instrumental album. Issued by Eatin' Records, an independent label based in Glendale Heights, the album called Personalities, captures Clark's melodic songwriting ability along with his skill as a guitarist.The songs reveal the mixture of his musical taste, which varies from the guitar rock solos of Cincinatti, through the 12-string chords of At the River's Edge, to the distinct flamenco style of El Rio de Tiempo.

"I wanted the album to show the various sides of me and my music," he said. "On one hand, I can be the jammin' guitarist and on the other I can play slow tunes with more focus on the melody and the mood of the tune."

A crushing blow For Clark, the release of the album was a major accomplishment both mentally and physically. Mid-way through recording his release in December 1994, he suffered a serious hand injury at his job when a 70-pound weight on a trash compactor crushed his left ring and middle fingers. It was every musician's nightmare, and for most guitar players it might have signaled the end of their musical aspirations. But not for Clark, the idea of never playing again was not an option. More determined than ever to finish his record, he began working intensely with a physical therapist and changed his own guitar technique to accommodate his damaged fingers.

The "painful" experiences of those initial recording sessions were quite discouraging to Clark. With his fingers throbbing, he could only play shorts sets before having to submerge his hand in ice to reduce the swelling. At times, the frustration of losing some of his technical ability overwhelmed him.

"It was really hard to accept at first, knowing that you would never be able to play those things again but it just made me appreciate what I was doing even more," he said. "I finally realized how special my talent was."

With the release of his indie record, Clark garnered local interest from radio stations 103.5 WRCX and 105.5 WYKT where he has been featured artist. His record also garnered interest from major record labels in Japan and Europe; however, American companies apparently paid little notice. Clark said part of the interest from abroad and the lack of interest in America has to do with musical tastes toward a solely instrumental rock album.

"In Japan, the audience is much more technically oriented, but instrumental albums are a big risk in America," he said.

Two-month tour. After months of trying to rally national support for his record, Clark got a huge break after a friend passed on his album to Steven Weiss, the famed music attorney who represents such legendary rockers as Jimmy Page and Richie blackmore. Weiss loved the record and helped Clark land the opportunity to play the opening act on the Ted Nugent and Bad Company tour which kicked off in March 1996.

"It was such a dream come true," he said. "You work so hard to get a break - any break you can and then to be able to have such an opportunity is unbelievable."

Since unsigned acts are such a risk for tours, the chance to play is seen as a lucky chance, not a financial opportunity. Long days of cross-country driving combined with the strain of surviving financially during those two months and 23 shows were difficult for Clark. However, he said playing live was an experience that surpassed any hardships.

"I always looked at touring as 20 minutes for me to go out there and sell myself, " he said. "My responsibility was to get that crowd pumped up for the Bad Company and Ted Nugent and that's what I wanted to do. When you look out and see thousands of people going crazy over your music, it is a wonderful feeling."

Besides developing his own music ability while touring, Clark said he is proud of gaining the respect and developing friendships with some members of Bad Company and Ted Nugent.

"These guys are my idols and yet they were so normal to us; they treated us like family," he said.

Clark is working on securing several touring dates with Bad Company and Ted Nugent for this spring. Although still unsigned, he also continues to tap recording companies for their support.

"I am convinced . . . that you have to create your own breaks," Clark said. "When opportunity knocks it's great, but you have to bring them to the front door."

By Sonali Das
Beacon-News Correspondent