Bernie Clarke

For 44 years, my Sundays did not belong to me. My weekends, especially Sundays, belonged to the Denver real estate market. As a residential broker, I represented hundreds of sellers and buyers, worked open houses, and helped my clients move forward with their busy lives. I literally learned every block and alley throughout Central Denver. If you’re reading this, I know your house, or, at the very least, your front yard. It was a rewarding full-time profession, but that lengthy, colorful detour is now behind me.

In 1964, I was awe-struck watching The Beatles perform on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” possibly the most memorable Sunday of my life. Their creative songwriting, harmonies, and energy were inspiring. I formed a band, The Intruders, with some grade-school pals. After we lost a couple of band members due to poor grades, we became The Hitch-Hikers. We played high school dances, teen clubs, and backyard parties. We could really “bring it,” and we did. It was a joyous time.

Following college in Boulder, I continued playing my guitar and focusing on songwriting. I worked solo in clubs in Colorado’s ski towns, but my heart belonged to music. In 1974, I composed a musical play called “Bits of Junk.” This show was produced by Bonfils Theatre, a Division of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, and, subsequently, The Arvada Festival Playhouse. The reviews in the local papers were flattering and favorable. However, my most cherished remarks were found in a letter sent from Pulitzer Prize winner Mary Chase. She attended a production one evening and graciously invited me into her home in the Denver Country Club neighborhood for tea and conversation. She wrote that my work was “heartwarming and charming.”

Fortunately, my big break came in 1975. I married a wonderful woman radiating beauty, kindness, and, most importantly, patience. She became a middle school math teacher for the Cherry Creek Schools. Her “regular” job afforded me time to pursue my dreams. Since then, my writing has been recognized by The Literature Program for the National Endowment for the Arts and The Western States Arts Foundation.

In 1979, my wife, Janel, had our first child, Katie Maureen. It was now my turn to get a “regular” job. I took the required real estate courses and the state licensing exam, thinking I’d give it my best shot for six months. I came out of the box “hot” and never looked back—44 years and two wonderful kids later, I happily closed my final sale.

That’s my backstory. Now, on Sundays, I seem to have come full circle. I play my guitar, composing songs in the basement of our Cherry Creek townhome. Recently, I’ve written a new musical, titled “America.” The show offers 22 engaging original tunes, a cast of eight, and a run-time of 90 minutes. I am optimistically searching for an adventurous theatre to launch this heartfelt endeavor and the opportunity to “give up” my Sundays once again.

Singer/songwriter Bernie Clarke currently has over 200 songs streaming online (just ask Siri or Alexa to play music by Bernie and the Boomers). His music is regularly played on K4CO Radio and has been described by The Denver Post as “Chris Isaak meets the ghost of Roy Orbison.”