Don and Alexandra Clayton Recording Arts Honors Finals

The Clayton Recording Arts Honors will spotlight Auburn’s most accomplished music students by awarding one artist a fully produced, marketed, and distributed three-song professional commercial release—crafted to meet today’s music industry standards. Two runners-up will also receive one-song releases.

Three outstanding judges will decide the winner and runners-up. These judges come from across the country and represent the very top of the music industry. Read more about the artists and judges below.

Aspiring artists submitted demo recordings for consideration, and six finalists were chosen to advance to the final round. These finalists will compete for the grand prize in a live performance competition on Saturday, January 24 in Lucky Man Studio. Doors open at 6:30 and the event starts at 7pm. Tickets are free but limited – reserve yours today!

Meet The Artists

Anna Coulson 

Anna Colson is a powerhouse singer, songwriter, and performer from Montgomery, Alabama, known for a sound that blends pop, rock, and singer-songwriter influences. Her music is defined by a commanding yet vulnerable voice that is rooted in storytelling and emotional depth. With an EP and two singles available on all major streaming platforms, Colson draws from real-life experiences to create songs that resonate with authenticity and intention. 

Driven by a strong commitment to honesty, compassion, and shared humanity, Colson’s music is designed to foster meaningful connection. Her work reflects a dedication to helping listeners feel seen, uplifted, and free to be themselves, positioning her as an artist whose impact extends beyond performance and into emotional resonance. 

Emma Kennedy 

Emma Kennedy, known artistically as Okemma, is a singer-songwriter and producer studying Composition and Technology at Auburn University. A self-taught musician who discovered her passion for songwriting in late high school and early college, Okemma centers her work on emotional storytelling brought to life through vivid imagery and evocative lyricism. She has released two albums and performs regularly with a variety of ensembles as well as her band, Pink Noire. Deeply inspired by artists such as The Beatles, Billie Eilish, The Marías, Lizzy McAlpine, and Clairo, her sound lives in the realm of “sad girl indie,” blending intimacy with atmospheric production. In addition to music, Okemma is passionate about visual storytelling, creating music videos with bold aesthetics and imaginative costumes to expand the worlds behind her songs. With an ever-growing catalog of releases and visuals, she is pursuing a full-time career as an artist, committed to telling honest, emotionally resonant stories through both sound and image. 

Walter Lloyd 

Walter Lloyd is an emerging modern pop artist from Auburn, Alabama, recognized for a sound that blends sleek pop with the grit of rock and the soul of R&B. As a Commercial Voice major and winner of Auburn University’s singer-songwriter competition, he is already carving out a distinctive path as both a performer and a writer. Walter has brought his dynamic presence to the Opelika Songwriter Festival, AubFest, and numerous venues across the Southeast, where he continues to grow a dedicated and diverse audience through high-energy performances, emotional clarity, and an instinctive ability to connect with listeners. His music is shaped by a broad spectrum of influences across pop, R&B, and alternative music, resulting in a style that feels current, expressive, and unmistakably his own. With new recordings underway, a rapidly expanding performance footprint, and a clear artistic vision rooted in authenticity and connection, Walter Lloyd is positioning himself as one of the most compelling young artists rising from the Southeast, and his momentum continues to build with every stage he steps onto. 

Luke Potter 

Luke Potter is a 21 year old singer, songwriter, producer, engineer, and multi-instrumentalist from Allen, Texas. Picking up music production, piano, and drums in the 6th grade, his experience of being in the marching band and rock band with his friends throughout middle and high school allowed his passion for music to take form. After discovering the online scene of other teenage producers, rappers, and artists in 2020, Luke began releasing music in December 2020 under the moniker "cldsummer", later shortening to “cld.” Experimenting with electronic, rap, and alternative pop styles, he has amassed over 1.5 million streams across all major streaming platforms, and recently released his first acoustic guitar-focused EP under his real name. 

Jack Sears 

With a gritty and soulful voice, Jack Sears brings a punch to your typical singer-songwriter sound. Influenced by the sounds of iconic acts like The Smashing Pumpkins and The 1975 as well as the lyrics of writers like Jason Isbell and Lizzy McAlpine, Jack’s music brings in elements from all decades and supports them with lyrics that are introspective and real. With his first single “Cry” out now, Jack has been making waves as a writer and vocalist across the city of Auburn. 

Syler Stone

Syler Stone is a singer-songwriter from Rainsville, Alabama, whose music blends modern R&B with elements of pop and country, shaped by a deep appreciation for classic influences. Drawing inspiration from contemporary artists such as Giveon alongside timeless bands like Fleetwood Mac, Syler creates a sound that feels both current and rooted in musical tradition. His approach reflects a love for older music, which he intentionally weaves into his songwriting and production to give his work warmth, depth, and authenticity. 

Currently a freshman majoring in pre-nursing, Syler discovered his passion for music through singing in church, where performance first became a meaningful outlet. Music serves as a form of escape from the pressures of academic life, including tests, grades, and everyday stress, and he hopes his songs can offer that same sense of relief and calm to others. Grounded in honesty and emotional clarity, Syler Stone is developing an artistic identity that values connection, reflection, and the enduring influence of music across generations. 

Meet The Judges

Diane Durrett

Diane Durrett is an internationally acclaimed singer, songwriter, and producer who has honed a distinctive artistic voice through soulful songwriting and polished sound production that consistently resonates with listeners.  

In 2024, Durrett was elected President of the Recording Academy’s Atlanta Chapter, best known for the GRAMMY® Awards. She has served on the chapter’s board for eight years in a variety of leadership roles and has hosted and produced the Producer & Engineer Wing’s two-part series, In the Mix: Studio PROS - Ladies Leading the Way.   

She currently co-chairs the Songwriter & Composer Wing alongside Tricky Stewart.  

Durrett’s tenth American Roots release, Sweet Georgia Blues (2024), features her signature velvet-toned vocals on the singles “Chasing Sunsets” and “The Sweet Spot,” both of which were featured on Apple Music’s Best New Blues Songs. Her 2022 album Put A Lid On It reached #2 on the International Roots Music Chart, with critics praising it as “flirting with perfection while remaining full of feeling and spontaneity.  

Throughout her career, Durrett has performed with or opened for artists including Sting, Tina Turner, Faith Hill, Indigo Girls, Tab Benoit, and Gregg Allman. 

Harper Grae

Harper Grae is an acclaimed singer-songwriter, producer, and entertainment executive with a dynamic career spanning music, television, and film. A proud Auburn University graduate (Class of 2012, BFA in Musical Theatre), she holds a publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Group and has established herself as a trusted creative and executive presence in the industry. 

Grae is currently executive producing multiple television and film projects. Her recent credits include Executive Producer on American Icon: Toby Keith, which aired on NBC, and Associate Executive Producer on the Gloria Gaynor documentary. Grounded equally in artistry and leadership, she brings a discerning creative ear, deep industry insight, and a passion for developing authentic talent across platforms. 

LaMont VanHook  

Based in Los Angeles, internationally acclaimed vocalist LaMont VanHook is one of the most sought after touring and recording vocalists working today. Celebrated for his remarkable versatility, musical authority, and world-class professionalism, VanHook has built a career at the highest levels of contemporary rock, pop, country, and R&B for more than three decades. 

LaMont’s live performance résumé reads like a veritable who’s who of modern popular music. He has shared the world’s biggest stages with Sting, Rod Stewart, Phil Collins, Elton John, Bruno Mars, Lyle Lovett, Quincy Jones, Tina Turner, Patti LaBelle, Stevie Wonder, India Arie, James Taylor, Madonna, Lenny Kravitz, Annie Lennox, Lainey Wilson, Chaka Khan, Seal, Queen Latifah, John Legend, and many more. His touring work is distinguished not only by its scale, but by his ability to move seamlessly across genres and musical settings. 

As a recording artist and session vocalist, LaMont has contributed to projects with Rod Stewart, Lyle Lovett, Kenny Loggins, Stevie Wonder, Phil Collins, Patti LaBelle, Patti Austin, Aaron Neville, Michael Bublé, Sum 41, and Queen Latifah, among others. His studio work reflects the same precision, musicality, and expressive depth that defines his live performances. 

VanHook’s artistry has also been showcased on some of the most prestigious televised stages in the world, including the Academy Awards, multiple Grammy Awards broadcasts, the Primetime Emmy Awards, the American Music Awards, The Voice, and the Super Bowl Halftime Show (with Faith Hill, and again with Bruno Mars). 

LaMont VanHook has established himself as a trusted collaborator at the very highest level of the music industry and his career stands as a testament to excellence, adaptability, and the enduring power of great vocal artistry.