Clarence Bucaro didn’t intend to write his first album while hiking the entire Appalachian Trail, but that’s exactly what happened.


8 original diverse albums later, the Brooklyn based singer songwriter is showing no signs of slowing down.

Introduced to Clarence’s music at The Ark‘Michigan’s non profit home for folk & roots music,’
we were captivated by his compelling voice, soulful melodies & meaningful lyrics.
So taken by his live performance we found ourselves inviting the NY musician to play for our inaugural house concert.
In fact, he inspired the idea on twitter.

Exuding gracious warmth, this world traveler and accomplished musician entertained with the ease of a veteran performer.
In an unassuming powerful way, he draws people in with his beautiful music.
He mesmerized our guests and left us all pining for more.

It’s interesting to know this passionate songwriter was almost an environmental lawyer.
In a 2012 interview with Nancy Dunham of No Depression “Bucaro fantasized “over and over and over again” about being an artist, he was torn with a desire to become an environmental lawyer. He made the decision to become a musician when he hit something of a professional crossroads. At that time, he was offered a job on a natural resources defense council and a record deal”

Clarence has always felt deeply and naturally connected to music, writing songs since he was a boy of 8.
Dedicated and passionate, he has played up to 300 shows in one year.
He dreams of one day playing the Royal Albert Hall in London and Red Rocks in Colorado.

We communicated about similarities in the creation of art & music, influences, inspiration, and industry challenges.
I wondered about myths in his profession.
“People mistakenly think it’s easy and it simply isn’t. The territories and boundaries in each aspect of the craft and career are endless and take perpetual time and work and patience.”

Clarence’s music plays daily in my studio.
“ Can’t Rush the Road” poetic lyrics are insightful.
“Sometimes the shortcut’s the longer way if you really want to get where you are going”
“ … you can’t rush the road, you can’t push destiny before it unfolds.”
You can’t rush the tide.
You can’t rush the wind that crosses your sky.”
It’s a relevant message today in our multitasking instant gratification era. Taking time to respect the journey.
I love the nature referrals.
Surprisingly, Clarence wrote this song as a personal reminder to continue to be patient amidst frustration.
“My career has not been one graced with lucky breaks etc. I have had to work hard for every gig along the way. Sometimes disappointments can overwhelm the journey. This song funnily enough is rather cathartic for me.”

During an interview on Art & Soul, Sirius XM’s coffee house, he mentions going back to old folk & blues. Caroline Jones refers to gospel and diverse influences.
Yet his unique style resonates.

Is originality of sound difficult to achieve in the music industry?
“We all start emulating our heroes and hopefully if you are following your own voice, it comes naturally, without you truly noticing it.”
He challenged himself to remain inspired and fresh in his newest album “Like the 1st Time”, by “staying focused. I dug in and didn’t take any easy way outs. I explored new keys and worked vigorously on my voice everyday.”

A friend said “Mother’s Word” is the best song ever written about a mother.
I agree wholeheartedly. Has your family been influential in your career?
“It’s no secret to people who know me, I am a family oriented person. My family has always been right next to me in all aspects of my journey.”

What other passions do you have?
Chess, basketball and reading. I have a book club with my mother (membership=2) We read the classics each year. This year we have read 51 already including “War and Peace” and “Moby Dick.”

I was curious about his creative experience immersed in nature on the Appalachian Trail. I found it fascinating he embarked on the adventure while in the midst of trying to secure a record deal.
Clarence Bucaro photo- Appalachian Trail

What special connection with nature appeals to you in aspects to your work/ writing?
“Nature has always given me clarity and mental health for writing. Hiking or running on a trail is a great breeding ground for memories and ideas for me that I bring to my songs.”

You wrote your first album, “Sweet Corn” on the Appalachian Trail. Was that the intention?
“It wasn’t necessarily my intention. I had a couple songs written but had not attempted my first album yet. I brought a small Martin backpacker guitar and the songs came pretty naturally. The record label couldn’t believe I planned to disappear for 4 months at a time in which we were close to clinching it, but when I came back with the new songs inspired by the trail, it sealed the deal.”

How did the hike affect/ influence your work & life?
“It filled me with the sense of everything being a journey. I have looked at everything since in that way.”

New “Trail” 18×14 original oil- avail for purchase- inspired by Clarence Bucaro’s journey.

We talked about what a treasure that is, having that amount of uninterrupted time to create.
He mentioned the appeal of another trek in the distant future. It’s an impressive list, including the John Muir Trail, Pacific Crest, the Camino de Santiago and climb Mnt Kilimanjaro.

The paragraph below from your online bio is reminiscent to me of painting. Do you think there is a similarity between visual art & songwriting?
“I love paintings and see colors when writing.”

“When I started making music, it was all instinctive—I emulated what I discovered and wrote down what I felt,” Bucaro observes. “And as you grow and learn, you become filled with form, structure and craft. My last three albums have been me attempting to find a marriage of those two approaches. That’s another reason why I called this one Like the 1st Time: because it feels like it’s rooted in the old, but also moving in a completely new direction.”

“Rooted in the past, moving in a new direction”.
Words steeped in wisdom for us all, my friend. Thank you.