McMichen's first solo success was the 1927 hit "Sweet Bunch of Roses", which sold over 100,000 records.

[2] Clayton McMichen worked with an Atlanta, Georgia singer-songwriter, musician, Dan Hornsby producer engineer, recording "Ark.

The Skillet Lickers split in 1931, and McMichen organized a new band called the Georgia Wildcats, playing old timey, pop and jazz.

When he decided to form a full-sized dance band, Bryant took the smaller group and departed with McMichen's blessing.

[3] In 1981, Merle Travis, Mac Wiseman, and Joe Maphis released a double LP album called The Clayton McMichen Story in tribute to him.