Through the beauty in every single sunset, we return to Morgantown, West Virginia, for the second year of The Sprout Stage, an extension of the annual Charley Clayton Memorial Peep Festival. This spring, on April 6th, we gather again to honor the sunshine-embodied spirit Charley Clayton, who passed away unexpectedly in 2022, at an event that exemplifies all the incredible aspects of Charley. Friends and family are getting to honor her in the way she deserves by giving back to the community she grew up in and extending opportunities for the youth to chase their dreams. Now is your chance to step into how we are remembering Charley Clayton!
“Last year, our loss was raw, and we all were struggling very deeply. It was incredibly healing to put our grief and hurt towards something that was making a positive impact, but honestly, much of it was a blur. We were focused on just being able to pull it off for Char. This year, we all have had more time to process our loss and much more clarity as we plan this event. We can focus on really making it more special each year. We plan to continue to increase our scholarship amounts, and we hope to throw larger and larger shows with more of Charley’s favorite artists.
I believe that this legacy is one that Char would truly be proud of. She never forgot where she came from and was always so proud to tell everyone in Hollywood that she was from West Virginia. So, to be able to do this in her hometown, benefitting kids where she grew up, with her family so involved, is extremely special. Charley was the most beautiful person I have ever known, and I’m so thankful for this opportunity to try to honor her the way she deserves and carry her legacy forward.”
– Corinne Garnier
Getting to know who Charley Clayton is and who she meant to others!
For the ones that don’t know, Charley Clayton’s personality got to shine in a ton of different aspects within the music industry. From getting involved in the West Virginia scene, working at venues, and helping local production companies with marketing and graphic design. While she also volunteered countless hours with local music festivals around the area. She was avidly involved in many facets of music, from being a huge music fan and supporter of all artists and hula hooper.
Although music is only one part of her, she was also a pageant queen. Naturally, being a multifaceted personality, Charley was a cherished member of many different communities.
Welcome to this year’s edition of the Sprout Stage for The Charley Clayton Memorial Peep Festival!
This time around, we head to the Art Party in downtown Morgantown, West Virginia. After a successful event last year, the community returns to support the event. With local companies and friends, Appalachian Sound Culture and Wave Motion donated production lasers and lighting for the event. Local artists and performers like Austin Towns and Lady Jay donated their expertise for live painting and Lyra and hoop performances. Undoubtedly, showcasing the beauty of a community uniting for an amazing cause. The event also partnered up with harm reduction organizations like Beyond Dope to ensure their patrons are safe beyond the doors. Also with the collaboration behind the scenes, the music at The Sprout Stage is unforgettable.
The meaning behind the name Sprout Stage!
“The name Sprout Stage comes from the nickname I gave Charley when I met her in 2016. She had a platinum blonde pixie cut, and you could always tell when she was having a good time because she would pull it up into a tiny “sprout” ponytail on the top of her head. She always had the sprout out at music festivals, with glitter all over her face, raging in the crowd and living her best life. Her smile was my favorite one in the world. She lit up every room with her beautiful energy.”
– Corinne Garnier
The Sprout Stage has a perfectly curated lineup of artists that meant something special to Charley. With returns to West Virginia from, DJ Gov Name, Dice Man, and Hawk Eye Artist Prosper, this year also brings G-Space as the headliner. It’s an extraordinary lineup for the West Virginia crowd that wants to immerse into the sonic waves that Charley also loved.
The legacy and impact of the festival is much more than just an event!
Already making a big impact amongst the community, the Charley Clayton Memorial Peep Festival also awards a special scholarship to someone. The organization is a 501C(3) nonprofit, and the event benefits the Charley Clayton Memorial Scholarship Fund. Last year, they awarded $2,500 to two Marion County, West Virginia, high school students planning to study marketing in college – similar to Charley. Similar to the education Charley received in music and marketing, which became a catalyst for her to move across the country to chase her dreams. This led to meeting her best friends and having some of the most beautiful experiences of her life.
The organization’s main dream is that the recipients of the Charley Clayton Memorial Scholarship carry this legacy with them out into the world. They recognize it is a massive honor to be able to make a small difference in the beautiful community where Charley grew up. The ability for someone to also pursue their dreams and follow their passion. Naturally, with future plans to increase the scholarship amounts in the upcoming years, the organization continues to expand. From expanding the event, booking bigger artists that Charley cherished, and more, they hope to honor Charley in the best way possible.
Now getting to merge all the things in Charley’s life that meant the most to her!
It’s never too late to head to the Sprout Stage!
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