Rising Stars: Meet Cindy Alter

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cindy Alter

Hi Cindy, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am a musician, songwriter, singer, cancer-survivor, author and concious human being. I always knew I would do what I dreamed of, and have stayed on my hopes and dreams path, for almost 70 years. How I got here, which is where I envisioned myself to be, has been a long but incredibly ‘live experience’. I was born in South Africa, during the years of apartheid, became an international pop-star in my early 20’s, selling over 14 million albums world-wide, then became a political activist, through my music, starting one of the first mixed-race bands, when it was considered illegal to mix with Africans. Music made that happen. In my early 30’s, I moved to Los Angeles to pursue my love of music, and visited Nashville a few times, which felt like the real roots of the Country Music genres. Even though I did not write country music, I did write inspirational, lyric/melody driven, Americana Rock. I was 45 when I decided to move to Nashville, but while making my plans, I was diagnosed with AML (Acute Mylogeous Leukaemia), and was told I could be dying. When someone tells you that, you just wanna jump up and scream, “But I wanna live”. So, I decided to do the best living I could do, and if I died, so be it. I survived cancer, and moved back to South Africa to heal and be with family. Continuing my musical journey, the dream of living in Nashville was still strong, and in 2021, at the age of 64, I decided to move there. I have been here since 2022, and I love it. I am at peace, I am playing, writing, singing, and have met wonderful people, made good friends, and am fullfilled in all aspects of my life. That, is the power of dreams in all its glory.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Never smooth. Always challenging. From the early years in the pop band Clout, where our manager stole all our money and we were left with nothing after selling millions of albums. After that I fell in love with an abusive narscisist, which nearly cost me my life. It took 8 years to escape from that. I then moved to the USA, and worked really hard to pay my bills while trying to ‘make it’ as a musician, in a town where nearly everyone was there for the same reason. It was long days in the day job, and then long nights, playing at various venues, hoping someone would see me and offer me a record deal. Sadly, I was considered ‘too old’ to be signed. I was 33 years old. It was a tough time for me, but I decided to make the best of what I had and started to create music nights with other songwriters, and no matter how hard it was, I just kept going. I was then diagnosed with cancer, and ended up doing a year of chemo & treaments, eventually going through an autologous stem-cell bone marrow transplant. After my treatments, I went back to South Africa, and it took me about 6 years to start feeling normal again. I continued to push through, believing I would heal completely, and after 21 years, I am considered completely cured. I still struggle. I still fight for what I want, but, these days, at 67 years old, I have found it easier to deal with the struggles. I am more in tune with my mind and body. I go easy on myself. I try to live strong and sweet.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a musician, songwriter, singer, performer. I have done this for 45 years of my life, and it is mostly what I am known for. I am also a spiritual human being, that strives for peace and love in a flawed society, always believing, we will find a way to heal this world. I am proud of being so driven in my work and career. I have never given up. I still believe my best years are ahead of me. What sets me apart from others could be that I have already had an incredible career and life, so I am not desperate to become anything. I have been everything I ever dreamed of, and now, I just follow my dreams gently, with deep intention, still retaining the hunger I have always had to keep succeeding in my business.

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I wanted to be an FBI Agent.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: cindy_alter
• Facebook: Cindy Alter Music
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=cindy+alter+channel