 "Photo: Courtesy photo")
All five members of the rock band Cloverton live in Manhattan, and three of them attended K-State. Furthermore, their fan base is comprised largely of college students.
“In Manhattan, I’m surrounded by people that know me,” said Lance Stafford, Cloverton’s lead singer, pianist and songwriter. “This is my support system.”
Stafford has the strongest K-State ties, as he graduated from the university after serving as Willie the Wildcat for three years.
Though Lance is Cloverton’s only former mascot, the other members also have connections to Manhattan’s college communities.
Kirby LeMoine is Cloverton’s drummer and newest addition. He attended K-State and is now a junior in business and ethics at Manhattan Christian College.
LeMoine noted a memorable photo shoot for the band.
“It seemed like it took a really long time for five dudes to pick out clothes,” LeMoine said. “We had to coordinate outfits and all sorts of stuff. It was really girly, but it was fun.”
Timothy Brantl is Cloverton’s lead guitar player. Though he never went to K-State, he has lived in Manhattan all his life.
“Tim is really steady,” Lance said. “Tim’s very wise, and he brings that different perspective to everything. It’s good to have him around.”
Matt Brown is Cloverton’s rhythm guitar player. Like LeMoine, he is a junior in business and ethics at Manhattan Christian College. Brown is also the worship leader at Turning Point, a church in Junction City.
“Matt is almost like the younger brother of the band,” Brantl said. “Well, he is the youngest, but he also gets a lot of crap sometimes. I mean, in a loving way.”
Layne Stafford, another K-State alumnus, lends Cloverton his vocals and bass guitar skills.
“Layne is definitely the more goofy one of the band,” Brantl said. “Every side of Layne is always cracking me up.”
