Cleve Francis

On May 31, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Warner Brothers Records will be releasing a 4 CD Boxed set From Where I Stand: The Black Experience in Country Music.
The anthology should clear up the fact supports the fact that American Black musicians were a part of country music from its beginning

As the first president of the Black Country Music Association 1995) , I worked on the original project with the CMHOF.

My recording of Lovelight is included in the package.
This is a must have if you are a country music fan.
Learn more about this historic recording ( 2nd edition)

https://www.countrymusichalloffame.org/fwis

I have reached 300 followers! Thank you for your continued support. I could not have done it without each of you. 🙏🤗🎉

https://youtu.be/bKrdTRekmTc

On Memorial Day May 27th, 1987, I performed my composition, Reflections on the Wall at the Vietnam Memorial in Washington.
This was a tribute to the men and women who died in the war.
The music was composed and produced by my good friend Arthur Lisi.

https://youtu.be/blrI1hCEFy8

Interview April 25th, 2023
WJOL Chicago with Rick Renik

A Rich Conversation - Cleve Francis My recent guest on “A Rich Conversation” was Cleve Francis, an American country music singer, songwriter, musician, performer ….. and cardiologist. In addit...

Fan Fair 1993

Nashville 1992 (Country Music Magazine Photo Cards)
Lorrie Morgan, Clint Black, Suzy Bogguss
Mary-Chapin Carpenter, Martina McBride, Joe Diffie
Linda Davis, Cleve Francis, Matraca Berg

Please visit the Country Music Hall of Fame Exhibit: American Currents: State of the Music. The giant poster featuring Holy G, Frankie Staton and Cleve Francis is on display. The exhibit shows evidence of diversity finally coming to our music. Many established and rising stars Black and White are represented. The exhibit will be there for a year. Hats off to the country music industry for allowing all who love this genre to throw their hat in the ring.
It is great to see the success of the Black Opry that is traveling around the country because of the efforts of Holy G. Please attend those shows as when they come to a venue near you.

Join Heartland for classic episodes of , every weeknight at 9pm E|P! This evening's show features Eddie Rabbitt, Faith Hill, Cleve Francis, and more!

*Not available via livestream. Visit watchheartlandtv.com for local broadcast availability.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=412004477200058&id=100051715277581

Cleveland Francis - Beyond The Willow Tree Vinyl 2xLP — Forager Records Beyond The Willow Tree is a hauntingly beautiful anthology of folk songs chronicling the experience of a young black man growing up in the segregated south. A balanced mix of covers and originals, Cleveland Francis’ body of work seamlessly blends deep, soulful vocals with the stripped down acousti...

Beyond the Willow Tree

https://foragerrecords.com/shop/cleveland-francis

While a graduate student at the College of William and Mary (1967-69), with the help of my best friend, the late Dr. Victor Liguori, I recorded my first ever LP " The Willow Tree".
Last year I was approached by LA based Forager Records about re releasing the vinyl LP including several other original songs. I agreed and "Beyond The Willow Tree" was born. These recordings are great examples of my sound when I was twenty four years old. A great reminder of my coffee house days and playing my six string guitar.
The Vinyl recordings ( a growing trend) will be followed by a digital release.

Cleveland Francis - Beyond The Willow Tree Vinyl 2xLP — Forager Records Beyond The Willow Tree is a hauntingly beautiful anthology of folk songs chronicling the experience of a young black man growing up in the segregated south. A balanced mix of covers and originals, Cleveland Francis’ body of work seamlessly blends deep, soulful vocals with the stripped down acousti...

My song "Martin" recorded by Warner Brothers Recorders. Features Patti Austin and the late Ollie Woodson of the Temptations.

MARTIN (Words and music Cleve Francis, Arrangement Sanchez Harley) In 1963 in my hometown of Jennings, Louisiana, I remembered watching the "March on Washington" on our newly purchased black and white television. I had just ...

To celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, in 1987 I wrote "Martin". One of the highlights of my music career was the chance to perform this song in Washington D.C in Freedom Plaza with Mrs Coretta Scott King in attendance. I performed this original version with a community choir from Southeast Washington, D.C.
Dr King was and is my hero. Without his leadership in the Civil Rights Movement, growing up in segregated southwest Louisiana, I would never have been to become a cardiologist and impact the lives of thousands whom I have treated.

This song was also recorded by Warner Brothers with major gospel and pop recording artist whom I was invited to participate as a guest artist

We all should all honor this great man's life and lessons he gave.

CLEVE FRANCIS - MARTIN Rev Martin Luther King Jr 59th Birthday celebration ceremony and burial of time capsule bearing memorabilia of Rev. King.(Washington DC January 1988)

Please check out new book about the iconic Birchmere Music Hall written by the founder Gary Olze and writer Stephen Moore. I am honored to also be featured in this great book about the venue where most of America's legendary country, blue grass and pop artist at some point in their career performed there. I have been a performer at the Birchmere for twenty nine years as the lead singer of Cleve Francis and Friends.
Grab a copy from Amazon Books.