Clay Hess

Recording Artist · Active 2002–present · Ohio · Also a musician
Contemporary Bluegrass

Clay Hess is an Ohio-born guitarist and lead singer whose Grammy-winning Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder tenure (1999–2001), Mountain Heart and Sierra Hull seats, and 2024 induction into The Seldom Scene as Dudley Connell's replacement have placed him among the most decorated traditional bluegrass guitarists of his generation.

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  • From Blue Creek, Ohio.
  • Started performing at age 12 in 1983 with Orange Mountain Special.
  • Won Ohio State Guitar Championship in 1995.
  • Played lead guitar for Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder 1999–2001 (3 years); won a Grammy with Skaggs for "Soldier of the Cross."
  • Joined Mountain Heart in 2007; joined Sierra Hull and Highway 111 in 2008.
  • Leads The Clay Hess Band; recorded "Rain" with producer Randy Kohrs (title track #1 Bluegrass Today).
  • Joined The Seldom Scene in late 2024 as lead singer/guitarist replacing Dudley Connell.
  • Has two CF Martin & Co. signature guitar models (2005, 2009).

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