A Neeley graduate is taking on country music

By Shaylin Smith, Staff Writer

Published Mar 1, 2024

https://www.claytonmullen.com/

Clayton Mullen, a TCU alumnus, is an up-and-coming country music artist. (Photo courtesy of Clayton Mullen)

A Neeley School of Business alum is returning to Fort Worth, but he’s not coming back for a business meeting.

Clayton Mullen is performing at Love Shack in the Stockyards on Friday, March 1.

The singer-songwriter had a sales job lined up when he graduated last May, but he decided to chase his dream in Nashville instead.

Mullen refers to himself as “West Coast-born, East Coast-raised.” He fell in love with country music while playing in a band with his fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon.

He went from writing songs in his frat house to opening for the Josh Abbott Band at Billy Bob’s in his first full show.

“Being at TCU was so great for my music career because it’s in the heart of the Texas music scene,” Mullen said. “I was given so many opportunities on opening slots for shows likely because of the fact that I lived here and built a small fan base here.”

From the classroom to the stage

Juggling his passion for country music and his coursework was no easy task.

“Typical weeks were spent in the classroom and then I’d go out on the road and play shows Thursday, Friday and Saturday,” he said.

Clayton Mullen released his album “Where The Time Goes” in April 2023. (Photo courtesy of Clayton Mullen)

“I would pass up on fall and spring breaks to fly to Nashville to record new music periodically.”

By senior year, he said, “I really understood that I could make a living doing music, and thankfully I signed my publishing deal while still in school at TCU.”

Mullen has secured song cuts with major label artists such as Nate Smith and Austin Snell.

“We just wrapped up the biggest month of my career,” said Mullen. “We were on tour with Warren Zeiders who has the number one song on country radio, and my streaming numbers have hit an all time high,” he said.

His 11-track album, “Where the Time Goes,” has accumulated over 10 million streams, according to his website.

But Mullen said his biggest accomplishment is being able to make a living doing what he loves everyday.

“Next for me is more music and shows,” he said. “I am always going to keep my head down and keep pushing for what is next. I am ready to record new music and get back on the road.”