Lee cites the music of Bob Dylan and Hank Williams as motivators to start writing his own material.

Raised in bars by his father's friends and uncle (Johnny Vincent), Lee started performing on stage in his early teens.

Slim Dunlap and Curtiss A were mentors and would take the time to show him songs and invite him on stage to play and sing with their bands.

Lee began his own musical career in local bars, playing four-hour cover sets under the name Clyde.

Lee lived in Austin, Texas, Los Angeles, Tulsa, Nashville, Milwaukee, Montana and Minneapolis.