[1] His parents encouraged an early interest in country music and at the age of 12, he was already a competent drummer, later also learning rhythm guitar and electric bass.
"During 1955 his local reputation enabled him to play the prestigious Louisiana Hayride out of Shreveport where he shared billing with the newly emerging Elvis Presley."
[3] In 1956, he appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show,[1] a few months before Elvis Presley performed thereon, and Clay played a cover of The Platters' hit "Only You (And You Alone)".
In 2008, he appeared in an award-winning Canadian documentary entitled Rockabilly 514, directed by Patricia Chica and Mike Wafer.
[citation needed] In 2011, Clay in performance at the NOLA House Of Blues, was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame.