Finding the Balance: Wayward Sparrow’s Rich Clark on Parenthood, Music and Making Time for Both
For many musicians, creativity is more than a hobby or a profession. It becomes part of their identity. So when parenthood enters the picture, it's natural to wonder how those two worlds will coexist. Will family responsibilities leave enough room for artistic pursuits? Can creative ambition survive sleepless nights, changing priorities and the demands of raising a child?
For Detroit based songwriter Rich Clark, the creative force behind Wayward Sparrow, those questions were very real when he became a father. Known for crafting atmospheric Americana songs built around storytelling, lyrical depth and stripped back arrangements, Clark has spent years developing his music on his own terms. Yet rather than pulling him away from his craft, fatherhood ultimately strengthened his focus, sharpened his discipline and gave him a new perspective on both life and songwriting.
In this interview, Clark reflects on balancing music and family life, the lessons parenthood has taught him, sharing a love of music with his seven year old son, and why finding time for creativity remains essential for artists navigating life beyond the studio.
How many children do you have? And what are their names and ages?
I have one seven-year-old son.
Did you have fears or concerns about how becoming a parent would interfere with your artistic endeavors?
For sure. Looking back, it seems like a natural fear that most people go through with such a big change. When he was born, I was very immersed in making music; it was one of the highest priorities for who I was pre-kid. It is still a high priority, but there are other important things now.
Have those fears come true, or no?
Honestly, not at all. If anything, I have further pursued music in multiple projects and have become even more disciplined about finishing what I start.
What has parenthood taught you about yourself, your music or your creative process?
I struggle with having enough confidence on occasion, so it has taught me that I can do the things I doubted I could do, and I doubted I could raise a child before he was born. Most importantly though, I’ve cherished being able to share musical appreciation with my son as a listener. He has started playing guitar now, so I hope that we can share experiences as creators as well.
How do you juggle your family and your career? Who’s your support system?
I just have to be more deliberate about carving out time to work on things, so projects take a little longer to complete. On the flip side, I think I am a better musician now, and I can record quicker than before I was a parent.
My support system is pretty much the same as everyone else’s: friends and family basically. Playing live, I get to connect with strangers through music, which is meaningful to me and makes me feel accomplished.
What’s one thing you wish someone had told you before you became a parent? Any advice for others?
A few things come to mind. Not related to being a parent and recording musician, you’re going to worry/obsess over things for the wellness of your children that your pre-parent self never would have cared about. Related to being a musician, my advice is to find balance between giving yourself to your family and to your craft.
For most serious musicians, we need music like we need air … we won’t be happy unless we can escape into our craft at some point.
Do your children inspire / inform your music?
Yes, but indirectly. I very seldom write lyrics about my personal life, and if I somehow do, it is in an indirect way.
Being a parent gave me context for some of the things I enjoy writing about.
Listen to my latest single, “Gravel and Broken Glass”, and that will be noticeable.