As one of the two million people who watched FOX's Next Great American Band back in October 2007, I became a huge fan of the Virginia rooted trio of string pluckin' brothers who competed on the show. They called themselves The Clark Brothers. They blew me away with each performance and in the end, Adam, Ashley and Austin Clark came out winning the title of THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN BAND. Included with their title, was a recording contract with 19 Entertainment. For two years they proceeded to work on their debut record.

In October of 2009, after changing their musical style and direction from The Clark Brothers... they decided to pay tribute to their Mother by renaming themselves... Sons of Sylvia. Their highly anticipated CD Revelation was finally released April 27, 2010. They are on tour presently, opening for Carrie Underwood until December 19, 2010. This forum is dedicated to posting reviews photos, updates and my own personal experiences from Sons of Sylvia's first tour... Special thanks go out to all those who have contributed to this blog...

Sons Of Sylvia

Sons Of Sylvia
All Photos Courtesy of Buffy Burton

Adam Clark

Adam Clark

Ashley Clark

Ashley Clark

Austin Clark

Austin Clark

ON STAGE...

Rochester NY March 31, 2010

Sons of Sylvia - they looked and sounded amazing - Ashley pounded out some songs, some of which I could understand the words and some I couldn't make out, his vocals are pretty great, he's quite the performer and commands attention -(They should really have an album out - looking forward to hearing it hope it comes out soon) - people went wild for the instrumental bluegrass number they hammered out, as Austin said " this is going to hurt" and they play so fast it must be deadly on the fingers - I wish they had done a softer number with fiddle and mandolin , dobro and some great harmonies but most pieces were hard driving and very rock - they make handsome figures on the big screen I must say, - the people behind me were talking up a storm about them- guess they became instant fans

Sons of Sylvia morph from their musical roots


March 29, 2010
By: ED CONDRAN
Burlington County Times

If Sons of Sylvia look and sound familiar + well, there's a good reason.

The country act of three brothers - vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Ashley and guitarists Adam and Austin - each possess the Clark surname.

The siblings performed as The Clark Brothers during the 2007 Fox talent competition "The Next Great American Band," winning the top prize.

However, the group changed its name to the Sons of Sylvia in 2009.

"The music changed over that period and we wanted our name to reflect that change," Ashley Clark says while calling from Worcester, Mass. "We're not the same band as we were then."

Sons of Sylvia's debut disc is scheduled for an April release.

"Our material is a little bit country and a little bit rock 'n roll," Clark says. "It all comes right from our hearts. Good country and good rock 'n' roll comes from honesty. You'll have to hear the new songs to get it. I'm just so glad that so many people are going to be able to hear it."

That's so because the Sons of Sylvia have a friend who is helping expose their music.

Country-pop superstar Carrie Underwood tabbed the trio to open shows for her tour, which stops tonight at the Sun National Bank Center in Trenton.

Underwood also has a deep connection with Sons of Sylvia. She also won a talent competition when she took the "American Idol" crown in 2005.

"Carrie understands how surreal that whole experience is," says Clark. "There's nothing else like it."

Advertisement Sons of Sylvia played on "What Can I Say," a catchy cut from Underwood's "Play On" disc.

"It was awesome to be part of that song," Clark says.

Clark started playing fiddle for Underwood back in 2005.

"I didn't know much about 'American Idol' at the time, but all of a sudden, we were out playing Jay Leno and David Letterman. It was awesome."

But Clark is even happier with his latest run with Underwood: He and his brothers are on a big tour previewing songs from their album.

"I told Carrie that this is so great that I'm going to have to take her to Shoney's," Clark cracks. "I told her she can eat whatever she wants. Just have as much fun as you can with that menu. We haven't gotten to Shoney's yet but when we go, watch out because Carrie is going to have a great time."

Everyone in the Clark family is pleased with the band's path to success except perhaps their father.

"You can't please everybody," Clark says. "My mother is proud that we chose to be called Sons of Sylvia. My dad's feelings are a little bruised that we didn't call our band 'the Sons of Frederick.' His ego will be all right. He'll be happy as long as things continue to go well for us."

Worcester MA March 21

Great show. Craig Morgan was a nice surprise and the instumentals by 'Sons of Sylvia' were amazing. Overall a solid performance by all the performers.

Mashantucket, CT March 20

Mashantucket, Conn. — A tearful Carrie Underwood dedicated “Temporary Home” to one of her truck drivers who died in a wreck before the performer’s Saturday night concert at MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino.

Midway through the show, Underwood informed the sold-out crowd of the accident, dedicating the song to the driver and his family. Remaining poised throughout most of the song, Underwood became shaky and tearful toward the end, receiving vocal support and a standing ovation from the thousands in attendance. She finished and the show continued without a hitch.

This is, after all, Underwood’s “Play On” tour.

The Season 4 “American Idol” winner brought along Sons of Sylvia and Craig Morgan as opening acts, proving her show is a true blend of rock and country. Sons of Sylvia also came out toward the end of the performance to join Underwood on stage for the duet “What Can I Say.”

Atlantic City NJ March 19

Sons of Sylvia, who used to be known as The Clark Brothers, opened the evening with their energetic mix of bluegrass, rock and country. They performed a blazingly fast and short bluegrass jam with Austin Clark on dobro, Adam Clark on mandolin and Ashley Clark on fiddle.