Clay Harper is a multifaceted musician and restaurateur from Atlanta, Georgia, recognized for his influential role in both the music and culinary scenes. He first made his mark in the 1980s as the frontman and songwriter for the band the Coolies, known for their unique take on Simon & Garfunkel hits and their rock opera "Doug." The Coolies were signed to DB Records, a label that also featured notable acts like The B-52's and Pylon. Following the disbandment of the Coolies in 1989, Harper formed the band Ottoman Empire in the 1990s, which at one point included the late journalist Daniel Pearl.

In addition to his band projects, Harper has pursued a solo music career, releasing several albums including "East of Easter" (1997), "Old Airport Road" (2013), "Bleak Beauty" (2016), "Dirt Yard Street" (2020), and "They’ll Never Miss a Five" (2022). He also collaborated with his brother Mark Harper on albums like "The Slippery Ballerina" (1999) and "Not Dogs ... Too Simple (A Tale of Two Kitties)" (2000).

Parallel to his music career, Harper is a successful restaurateur. He co-founded the popular Atlanta-area restaurant chains Fellini's Pizza and La Fonda Latina in the early 1980s, alongside Mike Nelson. He later expanded his culinary ventures by establishing the frozen yogurt chain Three on the Tree in 2010 and the barbecue chain The Greater Good in 2012.

Harper's creative endeavors extend to literature as well, with the publication of his children's book "Are You Sure That Was a Rabbit?" in 2012. Despite stepping back from live performances, Harper remains active in the music industry, continuing to produce and release music that showcases his evolving songwriting skills.