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 Muscle
Shoals, 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 deep
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 the 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