Guest Columnist Ashley Clark Sounds Off on His Next Great American Band Win

When we made the finals of The Next Great American Band, I was in shock, because our goal was to make the top five. When we made the top four, I was like, "No way!" Then we made the top three and we were like, "It can't get any better than this."

But to win... I just can't believe it! All I remember is my legs giving out when they said, "The Clark Brothers." All of the stress and the months away from home and the work just hit me at once and I fell down, you know?

This was our first gig playing as a three-piece. We'd only played in the living room at the house before. Honestly, we sent in the video on the very last day and didn't think much of it. Next thing you know, we were flying out to Vegas to play for the judges.

So when we won, it was crazy. We were freaking out, which is pretty much why I fell to the floor. We've always wanted to play together, but we didn't have time. We had bills and our own lives going. So this show was the perfect catalyst. It's just been one miracle after another.

We took that leap of faith and we were scared to death each step of the way. I still can't believe we made it, that we won. It just feels like a dream.

I've always wanted to make a record that came from our heart. Hopefully, that's what we'll get to do.

You can see the Clark Brothers and all the Next Great American Band competitors in our Online Video Guide.

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