ABOUT
Trey Clifton is a songwriter whose return to music began after a professional career outside the industry.
His roots in songwriting reach back to the late 1960s, when he was a bassist, vocalist and songwriter with Ginger Valley, a Houston-based country rock band signed to International Artists Records.
Decades later, songwriting again became a serious creative pursuit—not as an attempt to recreate an earlier chapter, but as an opportunity to rediscover the craft and write songs for today's artists.
AN EARLY FOUNDATION
Clifton's early music career began in Texas in the late 1960s, when he joined the Corpus Christi band Blue Bus as bassist. The group later evolved into Ginger Valley, relocating to Houston and signing with International Artists Records. Ginger Valley soon established itself on the Houston music scene, performing on bills with artists including ZZ Top, Leon Russell, Rare Earth and Albert King.
Clifton co-wrote and sang lead on “Ginger,” released in 1970. It would become one of the final releases by International Artists.
The experience provided an early education in songwriting, arranging, performance and the collaborative process of turning a song into a record.
REDISCOVERING THE CRAFT
When Clifton became serious about writing again, he wanted more than encouragement. He wanted informed criticism that could help him understand how his work measured against contemporary standards of the craft.
Rather than relying on informal feedback from other aspiring songwriters, he sought professional critique of some of his early new work. Through a BMI workshop and subsequent individual critiques with songwriter, author and educator Jason Blume, Clifton put his songwriting through a deliberate process of criticism and rewriting.
The lessons went beyond individual songs—sharpening his attention to specificity, structure, melody and the demands of contemporary songwriting. Just as important was learning to absorb criticism, apply what was useful and ultimately trust his own judgment.
That process helped shape the songwriting discipline behind the current Late Ignition Music catalog.
THE SONG COMES FIRST
Today, Clifton writes original contemporary country rock songs with an emphasis on strong subjects, memorable melodies and clear, compelling hooks.
The current catalog is being developed through Late Ignition Music, his independent music publishing company in Williamsburg, Virginia.
The demos are intentionally straightforward: acoustic guitar and vocal, professionally recorded without a finished-record arrangement imposed on the song.
The objective is to present the song itself—and give artists, producers and other music professionals room to imagine where they could take it.
LATE IGNITION MUSIC
Independent Music Publishing
Williamsburg, Virginia
LATE IGNITION MUSIC
Independent Music Publishing · Williamsburg, Virginia