Recently, we sat down with Cliff & Susan, the dynamic married country music duo from Little Rock, Arkansas, who are celebrating the release of their latest single, “Waiting on You.” Following the chart-topping success of their previous hit, “Into the Mystic,” which resonated with audiences in both the U.S. and U.K., the pair are once again showcasing their signature blend of heartfelt storytelling and soulful country sound.
Recorded at the legendary FAME Recording Studios in MuscleShoals, Alabama, “Waiting on You” promises to take listeners on an emotional journey, enriched by the timeless Muscle Shoals sound and the undeniable chemistry of this talented duo.
Q: Congratulations on the release of “Waiting on You”! Can you tell us about the inspiration behind this song and what it means to you both as a married couple and musical duo?
A: We wrote it about finding each other when we had given up and weren’t looking. It’s about finding your soul mate unexpectedly.
Q: You recorded “Waiting on You” at the legendary FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals. How did the history and magic of that studio influence the sound and production of this track?
A: We had toured FAME while we were down there to perform at University of North Alabama. The history and rich legacy touched us on such a dee level, we decided this song was the right one to record there. We used session musicians from FAME, so the talent and feel of this studio was truly authentic to this recording. The direction of the final arrangement and production from our collaborative session added the final touches to our vision for this. It was a magical experience.
Q: Your previous single, “Into the Mystic,” achieved remarkable success on multiple charts. How do you see “Waiting on You” building on that momentum, and what makes this song stand out in your discography?
A: They were both recorded at FAME all in a one-day 12 hour session. So there was congruency among vibe and production. “Into the Mystic” was an add on for us, as we had intended to just record Waiting on You, but realized we could accomplish two in one day. We love that Van Morrison song, and thought a Southern Classic Rock song at FAME was the perfect way to cut our teeth in this legendary studio.
Q: Working with renowned musicians like Clayton Ivey and Andy Dixon must have been exciting. What was it like collaborating with such legendary talent on this single?
A: They were a pleasure to work with, and it was an honor to have them on our project. Watching them both work and create was inspiring. As a piano player, it was truly a treat to watch Clayton lay down the B3 parts on a song he hadn’t heard before. I tried to just be a fly on the wall while he was recording that part. So thankful to have had them both on this project.
Q: As multi-instrumentalists and producers, how do you balance your roles in the studio? Can you share any creative or technical challenges you faced while recording this song?
A: We were both just sponges and ready to hear how they could add and bring the final arrangement together. There were certain portions we wanted to retain, but getting out of the way and letting the creative process happen in such a legendary place with this level of talent was most important.
Q: You’ve performed over 200 shows annually and have built a strong connection with your audience. How do you think your live chemistry as performers translates into your studio recordings, especially in “Waiting on You”?
A: It’s important that the studio version sounds close to what energy we bring in a live setting. It’s important to us to play new songs out live enough to find our stride with them before we hit the studio.
Q: The Muscle Shoals sound has influenced many iconic artists across genres. How did you blend that soulful, classic sound with your modern country style in this track?
A: Adding organ can do so much heavy lifting for a track and really can be the glue of it all. And to have such a legend, Clayton Ivey, to lend his talents on it was just incredible. With the influence and experience that the session musicians were able to give to the feel of the song definitely gave it that Muscle Shoals charm. Our southern twang blends right into it along with our country piano and guitar playing, retaining
our country roots.
Q: With your upcoming projects, including the Yadaloo Music & Arts Festival and your Entertainers Academy, how do you see “Waiting on You” contributing to your growth as artists and entrepreneurs in he music industry?
A: We love sharing and teaching other musicians how to grow their careers and this experience is another thing we are sharing with our academy members. We hope to go back to FAME and record more!
For more information on Cliff & Susan, please visit http://www.cliffandsusan.live