Liam Paige Brings Alternative Acoustic Storytelling to Amarillo’s Evolving Music Scene
Amarillo-based musician Liam Paige is carving out a sound that sits comfortably between genres while remaining deeply personal. Blending alternative acoustic songwriting with touches of emo introspection, reggae groove, and hip-hop influence, Paige delivers a one-man-band experience rooted in honesty and connection.
His musical journey has been anything but linear. Paige began writing original songs early on before spending several years focused almost entirely on drums. That passion led him into recording and live performance, starting with hip-hop covers and eventually playing multiple nights a week throughout Houston, Texas. After returning to Amarillo, he began releasing music under his middle name, Clarke, while also stepping back to focus on his growing family. Today, Paige has re-emerged under his stage name with a renewed sense of purpose, balancing solo acoustic performances while recording and drumming for multiple bands.
Music first grabbed Paige through roots reggae, followed by classic rock discoveries from Amarillo’s Record Rack. Those early influences sparked his desire to become a drummer, a dream that was cemented at age 16 after seeing Dave Matthews Band live for the first time. That experience left a lasting impact. Paige cites drummer Carter Beauford as both a childhood and adult idol, even modeling his drum setup after him. His appreciation for music runs deep, with more than 50 tattoos dedicated to Dave Matthews Band alone.
Born and raised in Amarillo, Paige credits the city with shaping both his musical roots and his creative perspective. Growing up around 90s country music and rodeo culture helped form his foundation, while Amarillo’s often-overlooked alternative side quietly influenced his sound. That blend of country grit and alternative spirit continues to define his music today.
Photo by Lightninghorse Photography.
He describes the local Amarillo music scene as balanced and supportive, with live music happening most nights of the week. While many venues rely on booking agencies and established acts, Paige highlights the importance of open mics and community-driven spaces for independent artists. Events and venues like Arts on the Sunset, Atomic Yellow, Bad Magik Music Festival, High Fidelity Record Store, The 806, Goldenlight, Big Jim’s Pizza Co., The Dive at Meredithville, Old Tascosa Brewing Co., and The Sad Monkey Mercantile have all contributed to a scene that encourages growth and collaboration.
For Paige, lyrics are the heart of everything he creates. His goal is to reach listeners who need to feel understood, offering reassurance through shared experience. The message behind his music remains consistent. No matter where someone is in life, they are not alone.
“Lyrics are everything to me. I aim to connect with people who’ve experienced heartbreak, loneliness, or mental health struggles — to help them feel seen. The message I want to send through every piece of music is simple: you are not alone.”
His songwriting process often begins with a single line before evolving organically. Sometimes that line leads directly into a full song, while other times it sits until a beat or rhythm brings it to life. When recording solo, Paige typically starts with an acoustic foundation, layering drums either live or through a beat pad. He favors a direct-in recording approach with minimal plugins, prioritizing an organic and honest sound.
Paige values both solo work and collaboration, noting that while solo projects allow for efficiency and clarity, collaboration brings a unique energy that elevates the final product. That balance extends to his live performances, which lean acoustic and cover-friendly, versus his recordings that reflect a fuller, band-style sound.
One standout moment in his career came while performing on a stage where Bun B of UGK was watching from the side. That same stage would later host Wiz Khalifa, making the experience especially humbling for Paige, who values shared creative spaces and musical lineage.
Looking ahead, Paige plans to release multiple studio projects throughout the beginning of the year while continuing to book acoustic shows and drum for other bands. He recently performed at Big Jim’s Pizza Co. and will be announcing more dates soon through social media, with a formal calendar expected in the near future.
He is also collaborating with several local artists, including country band Lucky Strikes, bassist Trent Smith, known as BassWookie, and his wife, Megan Paige. Together, Liam and Megan are working on Petals & Strings, a fully collaborative album featuring original lyrics, beats, and artwork created entirely by the two of them.
Photo by Megan Paige.
At the core of Paige’s ambitions is a desire to make music full-time while helping create recording opportunities for other local artists. Outside of music, his family remains his greatest source of inspiration. Singing to his wife and daughter and encouraging his daughter’s own love for music fuels his drive to keep pushing forward.
Guided by advice from his longtime mentor and producer Shannon McArthur to trust the process and keep recording, Paige continues to build his path with intention. While dream venues like Madison Square Garden, Red Rocks, and The Gorge remain on his list, one goal stands above the rest. Someday, he hopes to perform in Africa, a place he feels deeply connected to and dreams of experiencing firsthand.
As Liam Paige continues to grow as an artist, drummer, and songwriter, his gratitude for the Amarillo music scene remains clear. With each release and performance, he invites listeners into a space rooted in vulnerability, community, and the belief that music is something meant to be shared.
Keep up with more aritsts like Liam Paige in the 806 music scene via Loud and Heavy Booking.
