Nashville, 1984
Bear Clair moved to Nashville in early 1984 and landed his first mastering engineer job that same year at NTC — National Tape Corporation. He's been behind the board ever since.
Over 45 years Bear has owned recording studios in Nashville, Columbia TN, Sun Valley ID, Gooding ID, Vinton IA, Mt. Auburn IA, and now Riverside IA. He's worked FOH and as recording and mixing engineer with artists including Steve Miller, Keb' Mo', Hal Ketchum, Dick Dale, Bruce Willis, Aretha Franklin, Stephen Stills, Bonnie Raitt, B.B. King, Dread Zeppelin, Cherry Poppin' Daddies, Roy Rogers and Norton Buffalo, John Hammond, James Cotton, Tom Jones, and Buddy Guy.
Grammy-nominated as session guitarist and background vocalist on CJ Chenier's The Big Squeeze (Alligator/Warner Records, 1996).
Nashville & NTC
Moved to Nashville. First mastering engineer position at National Tape Corporation. Met Chet Atkins that same year at NTC Nashville — the beginning of a lifelong friendship that lasted until Chet's passing. Bear went on to teach Chet thumbstyle to his best friend Steve Miller.
Grand Ole Opry
Regular performer at the Grand Ole Opry throughout the 1980s and 90s alongside Charlie Walker, Faron Young, Billy Walker, Jack Greene, and others. Became Hal Ketchum's guitarist and road manager — a friendship that started in 1989 and lasted until Hal's passing on November 23, 2020. Final Opry show with Hal at the Ryman Auditorium, August 21, 2010.
38 Music Square East
Worked at Stars Inc. and Silver Loomis Productions, both located at 38 Music Square East — the Buddy Lee building, heart of Nashville's music row. This is where Bear built his foundational relationships with the industry and honed the craft that would carry him through four decades.
Dr. Squash — IWA Pro Wrestling
Professional wrestler under the name Dr. Squash, IWA 1985–1990. Formed Living In Sanity — the world's first wrestling rock band — with Maxx Payne, Road Dogg (Jesse James), Nick Patrick, and Kid Ego.
Sun Valley & Keb' Mo'
Met Keb' Mo' at the Sun Valley summer concert series in 1991 — Bonnie Raitt and Carole King on the same bill. The moment Bear knew music would be his life's work.
Grammy Nomination
Session guitarist and background vocalist on CJ Chenier's The Big Squeeze, Alligator/Warner Records. Grammy nominated for Best Traditional Blues Album, 1996.
Sweetwater Sound
Sales Engineer at Sweetwater Sound, Fort Wayne IN. Recorded with Lukas Rossi and Johnny Hiland during this period.
Riverside, Iowa
Studio owner in Riverside IA. Fully in-the-box on LUNA and UA hardware. Building a digital education business — course, AI tools, and PDF library — to share 45 years of knowledge with the next generation.
"I played Jimi Hendrix's guitar at Steve Miller's Sun Valley studio. Some things you just don't forget."Bear Clair
A Friendship That Started in 1984
Bear met Chet Atkins at NTC Nashville in 1984 — the same year he arrived in town. What started as a professional encounter became a lifelong friendship. Chet became a mentor, a confidant, and one of the most important relationships of Bear's career.
When Chet was nearing the end of his life, he made a specific request of Bear: teach music business for five years. Bear honored that request by founding the Western States College of Performing Arts in Gooding, Idaho. The school fulfilled what Chet asked. Bear calls it one of the most meaningful things he's ever done.
The FOCGP — Fellow of the Chet Guitar Players — was an inside joke between them. Not an official credential. Just two friends who loved the guitar.