Seasoned session keyboardist & organist with 30+ years of experience—studio, stage, and film. Credited as organist and mix engineer on a major motion picture. From soulful Hammond tones to cinematic piano textures, I bring pro sound, feel, and polish to your track.
With over 30 years of experience in studio, stage, and film, I bring tone, feel, and emotion to every project. As a session keyboardist, organist, and mix engineer with film credits, my playing blends soulful Hammond warmth, expressive piano dynamics, and cinematic textures.
I’ve contributed to hundreds of studio projects, helping artists and producers capture authentic, musical performances that stand out in any mix. Every track is recorded at Great Sounds Studio, my Pro Tools HDX facility featuring Universal Audio, Avalon, and Manley tube preamps, Neumann and Manley microphones, and Slate/UAD analog modeling for pristine depth and character.
Whether you need gospel organ, vintage Rhodes, classic pop keys, or cinematic piano layers, I deliver professional, mix-ready stems that elevate your song’s story. Let’s create something timeless and powerful—crafted with experience, precision, and heart.
I'd love to hear about your project. Click the 'Contact' button above to get in touch.
Credits
4 Reviews
Clayton has such talent and we love working with him in the studio. We have recorded 10 cds with him and every one of the cds has been a fun and amazing experience. from the keys fo the final mix he has done a wonderful job. I recommend him to everyonw.
We’re so grateful for our friend and pianist Clayton Watson, who not only brings his incredible talent to Southern Gospel Sundays with The Frosts every week — but also produced our Hymns / Praise & Worship CD!
Clayton’s heart for excellence and worship shines through in everything he does. Whether he’s at the piano on stage or behind the console in the studio, he pours his soul into the music.
If you’re an artist or group looking to record in Branson, we highly recommend Clayton Watson’s studio. You’ll love his professionalism, creativity, and the peaceful, faith-filled atmosphere.
Clayton Watson is a true professional with the musical enginering skills in technicality that transformed my daughters first cd into something greater then we could have hoped and expected. I joined her in some of the songs and his understanding of what we wanted and how to produce the blend and mixes to make it happen was just spot on perfect. He created great looking design for the cd cover as well. His studio has everything you need and want, and you won’t find a more likeable person to work with that will truly care for your project.
I have worked with Clayton on different occasions. A solo Project and. Quartet Project. He is excellent to work with and easy goi g. No pressure on his part during the process. I would highly recommend him for Audio, Video and any Piano or Track work.
Interview with Big Clayton
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I had the privilege of being a musician and an engineer for a song that was used in a movie by 20th Century Fox. A dream of mine was to work on music for film and I got that opportunity to do so. They had a singer in our area that needed a studio to work in and the Producer, multiple grammy winning Dave Cobb out of Nashville along with the music supervisor from Fox along with the Academy Award winning actress was on the zoom session for this song. Receiving complements from them was the icing on the cake on both the piano playing and quality of the recording of her vocals. "Your studio lives up to its name". The name of our studio is Great Sounds Studio and that is our goal.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I am currently working on a new project for myself.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Just getting started so still new to me.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: YES!!! I capture in analog, then edit digitally. Best of both worlds. Warmth and saturation of the tubes, and recall and ease of editing digitally.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I want to see that everyone gets more than they wanted and expected.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: You never work a day if you enjoy what you love. I love the ability to be creative.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: How much do you charge? There are so many variables so trying to match what the client is wanting and working under their budget.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: Just play the piano, contrary, we make music that inspires and delivers emotions.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What artist do you think you sound like? (Influence)
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: I enjoy communication and trying to get what your looking for. Often a guide track can help a lot to make sure I'm not giving you my interpretation of a song.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: At least a keyboard, and a multitrack recorder with a starlink dish so I could just write and score music and while being inspired by the ocean.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I started as a church pianist and sound tech. I then landed a job playing piano for a regional quartet and we toured the weekends. I then ventured on my own as a soloist on the piano playing instrumentals. Living near Branson, the Live entertainment capital of the US, I saw an ad for street entertainers, so I audition and landed one of the coveted spots. Spent around 5 years playing 4 hours a day for the tourist until I got a job offer doing the full pre-show for one of the fists shows that help start the Branson we know today. During this time, I built the Great Sounds Studio to continue to help new and upcoming artist.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Diverse.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Gaither Vocal Band, Known for big arrangements along with top quality harmonies.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Charting. It really helps when everyone is playing the same chords. Even if it is a song I wrote and am playing all the instruments, I still chart it and follow that when recording.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: In Branson, Gospel and Country are very common.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Piano playing and editing are my strongest skill.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I have been told I was extremely gifted, so I think that is what I bring to the table. I bring the emotion, and feeling to a song not overplaying but building a music track that makes room for the lead instrument, the vocal.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: If my client is needing a track made for their song they will send me a vocal with a guide guitar/piano track, then I will build a complete track to match the style of their choosing. For film scoring, usually a temp track is provided along with any reference video clips.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Pro Tools HD system with multiple pre-amps tube and solid state with a live room for tracking drums and other instruments and a vocal booth. We are setup to be able to track full bands or do overdub sessions. Piano parts are recorded on my custom mirrored midi grand piano. I also have a collection of classic keyboards as well as a catalogue of VST and plug-ins.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: John Williams, Hans Zimmer, Trevor Jones, Isaac Hayes, Danny Elfman, Brent Mason, Gordon Mote
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: A big part of my work has been producing albums for artist and recording sessions in my studio, Great Sounds Studio located in Branson, MO. I am a full-time musician at one of the original shows here in Branson and this frees my day for doing session work. I enjoy doing string arrangements and orchestrating as well.
I was the Producer/Piano/Keys/Mixing in this production
- PianoAverage price - $70 per song
- Keyboards - SynthAverage price - $70 per song
- ProducerAverage price - $400 per song
- String ArrangerAverage price - $70 per song
- Film ComposerAverage price - $200 per minute
- RemixingAverage price - $400 per song
- Recording StudioAverage price - $500 per day
Typical turn-around time of 3-5 business days for instrument overdubs; 2 revisions included. Song / album production requires a contract. Please request any legal docs and videos at time of proposal.
- Pro Tools HDX System
- UAD6176
- 4710D
- Avalon
- Manley Force and Reference Mic
- CLA-10
$50 discount on your next project if you refer me to a new client who completes a job with me.
