Meet Cliff Gelina

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cliff Gelina.

Hi Cliff, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Well, I was born and raised in the great state of Maine. I grew up in a family bluegrass band called (The Gelina Family Band). From the age of 8, I was on the road with the family traveling and playing music. Bluegrass and REAL country music are my roots. My mother was the bluegrass side, teaching us the harmony and my father was the outlaw country player. My family was a balance of great musical influences. Dan Tyminski, The Gibson Brothers, Skaggs & Rice, Vince Gill, Cash, Willie, Waylon, Travis Tritt. The list goes on. They all have a major impact on my music these days from all sides of my songwriting.

I’m currently 34 years old and have been playing music for over 25 years. It has been a journey. All those miles traveled in our old 1960s GMC Coach tour bus going state to state making memories. Throughout the last 15 years, there have been a lot of ups and downs. The one lesson I have learned is things happen for a reason. No matter what. Life has taken me to where I am today. With the ability to play music professionally. For that, I am forever grateful to the universe.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road. There have been challenges through this journey, as there should be. Most challenges have been internal. The creative process isn’t always easy. Plus, trying to balance a normal life in the middle is not an easy task. Lots of struggles and sacrifices go into the lifestyle of a musician. For me, it’s about taking the experiences we have in life and using that as inspiration to create music.

I want to always be inspired to create. We headed south to Blackbird Studio in Dec. of 2021 and I wrote a song on the way down ironically called, “Headed South.” it became our first single off the album. Also, while we were down there to record, we got hit with tornados all around us. Kentucky got hit worst. I was hiding in the closet holding my guitar and mandolin thinking, “yup, this is how I’m going to go.” being a guy from Maine, I have not experienced a tornado nor a tornado warning.

That next morning, we didn’t know if there was going to be a studio to record at. Thankfully there was and we spent the whole day recording a ton of tracks for The Breakin’ Strings album, “Hangovers & Heartaches”. We counted our blessings on that trip.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have spent most of my life playing Bluegrass Music. I love to sing and write music. If I was known for anything, I would love for it to be for the songs I have written. I play guitar, mandolin, bass, dobro, piano, and drums. My father always said “When Cliff was a kid, I had all the instruments in the bedroom and told him not to touch them. Next thing you know he’s playing everything.”

When it comes to what makes me proud, it’s writing custom songs for people. I spend certain months writing for other people. People who want a song for a special someone, special occasion, songs for weddings, funerals, and anniversaries. to make someone a custom song just for them is magical.

Someday soon I will release an album of all the custom songs I have written. I think that’s also what sets me apart from other artists. I try to help express how other people feel through music, with the intention of writing from a different perspective.

Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memory would be going to the Grand Ole Opry for the first time with my parents. Dad was sitting next to me, and he said “You are going to play right there on that stage son, someday. Someday you will play on that stage.”

To this day, that is still the goal. To get this Maine boy on that stage and in the circle. So many friends of mine have played or play regularly there. So, I know it’s achievable. I just remind myself, it’s not the destination. It’s the journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://breakinstrings.net/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BreakinStringsBluegrass
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGa0qQN5OJLO2FK08jxPXvg

Image Credits
Sandro Medici