Best Artist Name for Me? (Identity Crisis!)

[TCW]

All,

This may sound ridiculous, but here it goes...

I'm having a bunch of promo CD's made, so I need to make a decision. My full name is Thomas Clayton Woods. I'm a solo/unsigned artist in the genre of Radiohead/Live/U2/REM. My everyday name is 'Tom Woods', but I think I can do better for a music name/persona than 'Tom Woods'...feels boring and un-artistic to put the same name on my album as my boss and neighbors call me. Uninspiring to have a non-separated persona, if you know what I mean...but it may be ok.

Do any of these variations sound good?:

• Clayton
  
• Thomas Clayton
  
• Tom Woods (currently using)
  
• Thomas Woods
  
• other?
  

The first two are what I'm leaning toward.

Dumbest post ever...I know. LOL.

Thanks

[jazzboCR]

Dumbest post ever...I know. LOL.

Thanks

No, actually it's not at all a dumb question for this reason--you do not want to be confused with this artist: http://davidclaytonthomas.com/ which your 1st two choices might do. I haven't the imagination or personal knowledge of you to help further--somebody else want to chime in to answer this honest plea?
BTW I used this to find out David Clayton-Thomas has a new album out--can't wait to hear it. This Board can work to everybody's advantage. Good luck in your quest.

[SteveO]

First of all, welcome to the Great MD, Tom!

My first instinct was what jazzboCR previously posted! May not be a good idea Tom! There are artists out there also with the last name Woods/Wood.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woods_(band)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Woods_Band

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Wood

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Wood

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronnie_Wood

I have noticed that some artists go by the name of a favourite song or album or a variation of such or their favourite pet's name. AND your post is far from being dumb! Sorry I can't be helpful! Hopefully another member can help you better!

[CRAZY-HORSE]

What about Clayton Woods...?

[CRAZY-HORSE]

Take on your father or grandfather's christian name...

Take on your mother's maiden name....

Take on your partner's surname....

[jazzboCR]

I been doing some thinking on this (And SteveO knows how dangerous that can be)...But here's what I see are some defining issues: You want a name that expresses you--however you will change--AND is memorable/easily remembered AND doesn't interfere with someone else's name. Take the elements you have at hand and shape them, see what happens. My mashup? Last name first, first name last or possibly middle name last. Thus: Woods Thomas or Woods Clayton. Another: For a truly genre-free and gender free name, it's hard to beat initials--CW McCall, kd lang or B.W. Stevenson--so use any combination?
I may be wack but I'm not frivolous.
BTW, if you are tempted to use first initial, middle, last--DON"T. That vein got played out by T. Boone Pickens and T. Coraghessin Boyle.

[TCW]

Thanks for the great tips, guys! The consensus of my good friends and fellow local musicians is 'Thomas Clayton', which is what I used a couple years ago. I think it sounds pretty cool and is relatively genre-free. Hopefully there will be no confusion with me and David Clayton-Thomas.mile: