Biography

 Clark Ford is an award‑winning American songwriter (BMI) whose music blends timeless craftsmanship with cinematic emotional depth. Originally from California and now based in Iowa, Clark has built a catalog that moves effortlessly across genres—Pop, Country, Rock, Sacred, Jazz, Blues, and musical theater—making him a uniquely versatile voice for film, television, and multimedia storytelling.

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A lifelong musician who plays piano and saxophone, Clark began writing songs in 2009, a turning point that unleashed a remarkable creative surge. Since then, he has released numerous albums, including the 2025 project "1961 the Musical Soundtrack", a lush fusion of retro Pop and smooth Jazz. He is currently developing its companion piece, 1972 the Musical Soundtrack, continuing his signature blend of nostalgia, melody, and narrative.

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Clark’s work has earned national recognition. He received a Dallas Songwriters Association award for the novelty song "Spiderwebs in My Hair!," has been nominated for multiple Josie Music Awards, and has won several radio awards. Many of his tracks have charted, and numerous productions have been praised for their exceptional quality. Several of his songs have also appeared on the first ballot of the Grammy Awards. His catalog is arranged, produced, and recorded by Underground Treehouse Studio in Nashville, featuring a rotating cast of standout vocalists.

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One of Clark’s most celebrated milestones came when Spotify and M&Ms selected his song “I Don’t Want To Work Today” for an elite playlist about work—placing him alongside Dolly Parton, Donna Summer, Bruce Springsteen, and The Beatles. The track was also featured nationwide on packages of M&Ms candies, giving his music a rare level of mainstream visibility.

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Clark’s songwriting is shaped by a rich, expansive life. Over 72 years, he has lived in multiple regions of the United States, traveled to all 50 states and abroad, and spent 33 years as a professor at Iowa State University. Raised in a musical household—his mother played piano and his father adored Jazz—he grew up immersed in Classical music before discovering Jazz standards, musical theater, Rock, Pop, and Country. His influences span eras and genres, from Count Basie and Frank Sinatra to The Beatles, Elvis, Adele, and Tim McGraw.

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His writing gravitates toward themes of love, nostalgia, beauty, sadness, humor, spirituality, and inspiration. Whether composing from a lyrical spark, a story concept, or a character-driven moment in a musical, Clark begins at the piano, shaping melodies designed to create an emotional connection. His catalog naturally aligns with a wide range of film and TV genres, offering music supervisors a deep library of moods, eras, and narrative textures.

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With a growing body of acclaimed work, a distinctive melodic voice, and new musical theater projects on the horizon, Clark Ford continues to expand his creative universe—crafting songs that resonate, uplift, and bring cinematic stories to life.