Anyone claiming “there’s nothing to do” in Logan County isn’t following Clay Bilyeu around. An experienced auto body repair specialist who is known
throughout a wide radius for his talent of painting vehicles-especially motorcycles-is the organizer of fun events which combine to his passions, music
and classic vehicles.
His immensely popular monthly Summer Nights Cruise In is eagerly awaited by enthusiastic fans who enjoy the cars and bikes, the music and the
camaraderie of a scene that is reminiscent of an old-time county fair carnival section.
The July Cruise In, which is scheduled this Saturday, is moving from the Sav-A-Lot parking lot at Logan Square to downtown Russellville in and around
Carrico Park Square. Hours are 5-9 p.m. Clay Bilyeu will be singing and playing music most of that time while those attending mingle while enjoying the
vehicles, the booths and the people.
Unlike fairs and amusement parks, there is no admission charge. And the guy who makes it all possible is neither paid nor accepts donations for
himself. Instead, proceeds go to worthy causes, including Logan County Relay for Life and the Heaven Can Wait Animal Rescue.
Clay Bilyeu has been involved in making music since he started playing drums at Lewisburg School in the fifth grade. He stayed in band throughout high
school under the direction of Wayne Gist and Freddie Borders.
Meanwhile in his high school days he took classes at Russellville Area Vocational School where he was taught auto mechanics by Jim Netherland and
Kenneth Bond.
For a while he worked for Daniel Construction Company in building what was to become Logan Aluminum, but car repair beckoned to him. He worked for
Harold Robertson at Robertson Used Cars doing repairs and body work. He also worked for Bud and Jeff Lawson at Western Kentucky Auto Brokers before
buying the former Wood’s Body Shop on West Second Street s across from the railroad depot. Clay’s Auto Body has been in operation there every since.
His primary work is doing collision repairs for vehicles that have been in accidents, but his fame comes from the paint jobs he has done on a variety
of vehicles, especially bicycles. He has won two major prizes at one of the nation’s biggest events, the Easy Riders Show in Lousville. In 1995, his
Harley Softail was judged Best of Show. Then in 2005 his Chopper Custom took the top prize in the Radical Class.
A customer in his shop recently really liked what Bilyeu had done in customizing his ‘bike’ but said one thing was missing. “I want you to put ‘Paint
by Clay’ on the back. People really like to know you did the painting,” the man said matter-of-factly. He wanted viewers to know his prize ride had
been decorated by the best.
Beautifully painted cars, trucks and bikes will be on display Saturday night at the Cruise In. Over 70 of them were exhibited at the June event. On the
Summer Nights Cruise In Facebook page, Clay wrote: “
Another great Summer Nights Cruise In !!!!!!! We had 70 cars , trucks, and motorcycles!!!! Would have had more except it was raining in about every
town around us!!! We raised $360 for Relay for Life with the 50/50 raffle, and $140 for Heaven Can Wait Animal Shelter, also one dog was
adopted!!!!! WHAT A NIGHT!!!!! Thanks goes out to everyone who came out and helped make it a success!! Let’s make it keep growing. See you next
month, July 23 on the square.”
There were rave reviews from Friends of Summer Nights. Ron Boles wrote: “Great time Saturday . Gets better each month. Thanks Clay.”
Vanessa Jo Rigsby
gushed: “Really enjoyed Summer Nights!!! The weather could not have been better! It was my first time but will not be my last! So happy to have
something to look forward to doing in Russellville.”
DeAnna Jackson Howard
wrote: “It was awesome... We got Lilly outta the deal.. So not only do u help people now..u also help animals... She's precious & the kids love
her, she's so sweet... Thx for what u do.. U definitely make the community a better place to hang out in.”
Making life better for others seems to please Bilyeu as much as creating the perfect paint job or singing for four hours or so. He says this comes from
three primary forces: 1) the influence of his late grandfather, Arthur O’Brien, during his youth; 2) his Christian commitment; and 3) the untimely
death of his brother Timmy because of cancer three years ago.
“My grandfather always wanted to help people, and he helped me shape my life as a young man,” Clay says. “Then when I saw how many people tried to help
Timmy and his family during that time, I realized we need to do everything we can to help those in need.”
Clay performs at a variety of public events, including the Adairville Strawberry Festival, the Lewisburg Purple Martin Festival, and, of course, the
Logan County Tobacco Festival. The Summer Nights concept is a follow-up of Thunder on the Square, which was the Tobacco Festival car and bike show that
he and his wife Debbie headed last fall.
“Debbie has been with me in everything I’ve done in the five years we’ve been together. She’s never missed a single gig or ride,” he says with pride.
His children are also with him at Clay’s Auto Body.
Bilyeu does do some of his ‘gigs’ for profit. He performs at the Cattle Pen Steak House in Russellville on the second and fourth Fridays of each month
and at Webb’s restaurant in Lewisburg on each first and third Saturday.