Source Material: Otis Clay – “Trying To Live My Life Without You”

Otis Clay was a blues and a soul singer from Waxhaw, Mississippi.  As a child, he performed with local gospel groups in Mississippi.  In 1953, at 11 years old, his family moved to Muncie, Indiana, and he continued to sing gospel music.  In 1957, the Clay family settled in Chicago, Illinois.  Shortly after, Clay began to hit his stride.  He sang in several gospel groups, including the Golden Jubilaires, the Famous Blue Jay Singers, and the Pilgrim Harmonizers.  In 1962, Clay shifted to secular music.

After a slow start, in 1965, Clay signed a record deal with One-derful Records!  He produced two hits on the Chicago-based label: “That’s How It Is (When You’re In Love)” (1967), and “A Lasting Love” (1967).  The following year, the indie label collapsed, and Atlantic Records bought his contract.  He started recording for their subsidiary label Cotillion Records.  Cotillion launched their label with Clay’s single “She’s About a Mover.” It was his biggest hit!  However, his follow-ups on the label weren’t as strong.  In 1971, he moved to Hi Records.

At Hi Records, Clay produced some of his most well-known songs.  He recorded a lot of soul music, but his blues and gospel roots were inescapable.  In 1972, he released his debut album, Trying To Live My Life Without You.   His debut album is a great example of how he combined his gospel, blues, and soul influences together.  The title song, “Trying To Live My Life Without You,” was the most successful song on the album.  Clay continued to record well into the ’80s, ’90s, and the 2000s, and by the end of his career, he was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame.

Otis Clay – “Trying To Live My Life Without You”