Clay Howard Releases Cover of I Got A Girl
The musician dropped his rendition of the 1990s hit ahead of his upcoming album, Unnecessary Covers.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Country
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Winston-Salem musician Clay Howard released a cover of the Tripping Daisy song I Got A Girl on October 21. The track serves as a preview for his upcoming album, Unnecessary Covers.
Why it matters
The project originated after the death of Neil Sedaka inspired Howard to explore recording a collection of cover songs. He produced the new music in collaboration with Joey Barnes, with whom he recorded tracks between live performances.
The original version of I Got A Girl reached #6 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. Howard played over 50 live shows between June and Labor Day 2026.
The players
Clay Howard
He is a musician based in Winston-Salem who also serves as the Regional Director for the North Carolina Small Business and Technology Development Center.
Joey Barnes
He is a producer and musician who collaborated with Clay Howard to record all vocals and sounds for the new single and album.
Neil Sedaka
He was an iconic singer-songwriter whose death served as the creative catalyst for the production of the new cover album.
Tripping Daisy
They are a rock band known for their 1990s hits, including the track I Got A Girl that reached the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.
The details
Howard and producer Joey Barnes performed all vocals and sounds on the new track, recording during early mornings and late nights to balance the work with Howard's touring schedule. The upcoming album spans songs from across six decades.
Timeline
Late January 2026: Howard returned from a cruise and began writing new songs.
June to Labor Day 2026: Howard performed over 50 live music shows.
October 21, 2026: Clay Howard released his single I Got A Girl.
November 27, 2026: Unnecessary Covers is released and Howard performs at the Ramkat.
December 19, 2026: Howard performs an album release show at Gas Hill Drinking Room.
Industry Dynamics
The project follows a creative shift initiated by the death of Neil Sedaka, which prompted the artist to pivot toward a retrospective cover collection. This move mirrors a broader trend of indie musicians using personal inspiration to curate niche, multi-decade song compilations.
The new album will be available to listeners starting November 27 on both CD and various digital platforms. Residents can attend live performances at the Ramkat or the Gas Hill Drinking Room to hear the new material in person.
The takeaway
Artists often draw from personal inspiration and historical musical legacies to shape their creative output. Fans of cover music can anticipate a diverse collection spanning 60 years of songwriting history.
What happens next
Clay Howard will release his full album, Unnecessary Covers, on November 27, 2026. He is scheduled to perform at the Ramkat on November 27 and at the Gas Hill Drinking Room on December 19.
Further reading
Discover more local music news in the Winston-Salem Country section.
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