Today we’d like to introduce you to Cliff Dorsey.
Hi Cliff, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
In North Central Florida a town of High Springs, FL I grew up in the church learning to sing hymns and would have small parts during Christmas plays along with my friends but I was never too comfortable on stage. My Dad bought my first guitar from Music Junction on Main Street when I was fifteen. It was shortly after Josh Turner released his song “Long Black Train.” This song really spoke to me. My influence of Christianity and my Dad being a freight train engineer all tied in with this song. I would turn it up every time it was on the radio. Then I saw who Josh was on CMT. A guy a lot like me who had a rich baritone voice was a shock. I said, “Lord if I had a voice like that, I’d do something about it.” Weeks after I developed a baritone voice and I knew what I had to do. I sat in my room trying to learn “Long Black Train” with the few lessons I had by then. My Mom heard me practicing and that week at church she volunteered me to sing. It was something I was so afraid of doing. Head down, eyes to the floor and a full Sanctuary of folks I sang as I rehearsed. My church family’s usual response is an “amen” but when I was done they started standing up and clapping. Later I was told “you did a great job” I figured they were just being nice. Then the music director said, “Cliff, that was really good. When will you sing again?” That was my inspiration. I thought it must’ve not been that bad if they want me to do it again. I was always trying to learn another song. Although it was uncomfortable being in front of people I saw that music did something amazing.
I have always loved country music! From George Strait, Hank Jr., and Merle Haggard playing while riding around the woods with my older brother Dusty or Johnny Cash with my Dad knowing every word talking about how he would listen to Johnny while working on his 1954 Chevy two-door sedan when he was younger and how that car would fly. I looked at singers as Superheroes, they must be in order to stand in front of a microphone and act naturally and magic comes out. I started writing songs by myself and learning enough covers to play a two-hour show. My set included Keith Whitely, Tom Petty, Otis Redding, Johnny Cash, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and George Strait. The way I looked at it, I had my bases covered. I played my first paying show when I was seventeen at Backyard BBQ in Newberry, FL. At twenty-one I had worked up enough shows to quit my two jobs where I was working at a contracting construction company and working at Lowe’s Home Improvement. I made recordings like the “3 2 1” EP and “Hurricane Blues” album that consist of all original songs with my best friends and bandmates while playing at bars and restaurants. One year I performed 284 shows.
In the fall of 2021, I signed a contract with Black Sheep Label Group out of Nashville, TN. I began working with the Swon Brothers as my producers to create my “New Neon” EP. We wanted to cut songs that provide a service to the listener. “Raise One” was the first single released in August 2022. It’s an anthem to honor first responders, military, and unsung heroes of our community that sacrifice every day to provide a better future. Girls Do released on November 4th. It’s a celebration of the mysterious magic of women. The third single No Love releases Jan 20th, 2023 with the whole EP releases later this Spring.
To double back on where I’m from and who I am. I’m a boy from a beautiful two-light town by the Santa Fe river. Swimming in the springs, being in the woods, and cooking with the family is who I am. I am honored to be working and learning through music. It has taken a lot of prayer and guidance from good people who believe in me to get to this point. I can’t express my gratitude enough.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s not easy singing for your supper, booking shows, calling it a career.
You get told no a lot when seeking opportunities, you drive countless miles and you have a weird sleep schedule but all the men in my family drive freight trains. I like to believe I was made for the road by default. Life is dirty! All people have struggles, rocky roads, and setbacks but I don’t think I’ve ever had one worth remembering. Nothing that kept me from moving forward.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Making homemade vanilla ice cream with my dad on the front porch. Then eating it by the Christmas tree that my best friend and my whole family helped decorate.
It was cold outside and we had Christmas music playing. My dad put out a sprinkler by some trees and the next day it was ice everywhere. We tried to find the biggest ice sickles and the dogs played in it. We had two Australian Shepherds named Sunny and Twister.
Contact Info:
- Website: cliffdorsey.com
- Instagram: cliffdorseymusic
- Facebook: https.//m.Facebook/cliffdorseymusic
- Twitter: @cliff_dorsey
- Youtube: CliffDorseyMusic
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@cliffdorseymusic?_t=8WemHyMSoXe&_r=1
