Although he works in the cowboy ballad tradition, he has collaborated with artists including the poet James Koller, saxophonist Steve Lacy, and contemporary composer Peter Garland.

In 1970 he moved to Denver and spent a year working on a small stage at the Columbia Tavern, where the clientele favored country western music.

Governor Clay then travelled back and forth between Europe and America for twenty years, doing his show in festivals and theaters and road houses.

Soon afterwards he moved to France, and began working with American singers who were touring in Europe, such as Wanda Jackson, Doug Kershaw and Mike Greene.

He often travelled with James Koller,[2] bringing their show, which combined folk music and poems, to audiences in Italy and France.