Gene Watson's Peers: Cleve Francis
Gene Watson's peers within the country music industry
believe in the sheer talent of this unassuming man from east Texas, so much
so that Gene is regarded by many of them as 'the singer's singer' - and
rightly so!
All of Gene's Peers who were contacted in 2009 were most gracious with their
time & words. It is here, within this special part of gene-watson.com, that
you have an opportunity to read a quote from
Cleve Francis, which
he submitted to this site on Tuesday 23 June 2009.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to
Cleve Francis who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online
'celebration of a Lone Star Hero'.
Cleve Francis
This quote was submitted on Tuesday 23 June 2009
'Sean, thanks for you inquiry.
I have always been a fan of Gene's music. He will always stand as one
of the more significant voices and careers in country music.
He is a 'foundational' link in the history of contemporary country music as
we know it.
Thanks for all of your efforts in keeping this great artist's work before the
world'.
Thank you, Cleve Francis for your support of Gene Watson.
About Cleve Francis...
Cleve Francis was born
Cleveland 'Cleve' Francis, Jr. on Sunday 22 April 1945 & was raised near Jennings, Louisiana, an
area where the importance of music such as African, Cajun & rural American rhythms
prevailed.
It was into this rich blend of sounds that young Cleve first became aware of
his own musical voice. When he was eight years old, he felt so moved by the
varied notes heard over the radio that he summoned up the courage to ask his
mother for a guitar he knew they could ill afford.
Seeing the enthusiasm in
her son’s eyes, or perhaps sensing his natural talent, Mrs. Francis struck a
bargain with her son that would shape his lifetime.
Cleve's mother agreed to purchase the instrument, under the condition that
Cleve get all his homework done & study very hard. With the agreement set,
Mrs. Francis saved quarters for nearly a year until she was able to purchase
a Silvertone guitar from the Sears & Roebuck catalogue. And, true to his
word, Cleve excelled in his schoolwork as he slowly developed his musical
skills.
Cleve became the accompanying guitarist for a local
gospel quartet known as the Mid-South Spiritual Singers. In addition to
touring on weekends with the group, Cleve also played the tuba in his high
school band, as well as becoming the musical director of its chorus. Despite
Cleve’s obvious musical abilities, his mother knew that the only certain
road out of the poverty & segregation of the rural south was through a
solid education.
After high school graduation, Cleve enrolled at Southern
University in Baton Rouge. While attending the university, Cleve met Dr. Huel Perkins, head of the music
department. Cleve reluctantly admitted that he played the guitar & sang.
Huel set up an appointment to hear a sample of his
student’s abilities. A session that was scheduled to last 20 minutes ended
up spanning the course of an entire day, including the recording of several
country ballads.
Dr. Perkins was so impressed with Cleve that he
insisted on purchasing a new guitar to replace the old Silvertone that had
developed a severe crack in its side. It was with Dr. Perkins’ encouragement
& sponsorship that the young pre-med student gave his first formal concert
before a group of over a hundred of the university’s music majors.
After completion of his studies at Southern, Cleve headed off to graduate
school at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia.
Cleve soon found an
enjoyable way of earning extra spending money by performing in the colonial
taverns & around the Tidewater area in small venues. It
was with the encouragement of his Williamsburg fans that he cut his first
recording 'The Willow Tree' in 1966.
With his master’s degree in biology, Cleve moved on to medical school at the
Medical College of Virginia (VCU). While he made no recordings during this
period, he did write songs, develop musical associations & earn money for
his medical school expenses by working of the road with other musicians
during the summer months.
During his residency at George Washington University Medical Center, Cleve
began performing at the 'Singer’s Studio' in the Washington’s fashionable
Georgetown district. Teamed with fellow guitarist Billy Pierce, Cleve
entertained hundreds of fans with such favourites as Sam Cooke’s 'You send Me'
& the Eagles’ 'Desperado'.
In 1978, with his medical training complete, Cleve set up his cardiology
practice in nearby Alexandria, Virginia and, as time passed, the young doctor’s
reputation as a highly skilled medical practitioner spread throughout the
area.
By the mid 1980s, Cleve was performing at the nationally acclaimed 'Birchmere'
in Alexandria. As his celebrity steadily grew around the Washington area,
Cleve decided to become involved with two important causes: AIDs education
& awareness and the plight of Vietnam era veterans.
By the early 1990s, Mount Vernon Cardiology occupied the vast majority of
Cleve’s time & energy. As a full-time physician & important member of
the local medical community, it had become increasingly difficult to pursue
his part-time musical avocation. But a strange coincidence took place that would yet again change the course of Cleve’s life.
While treating a cardiac patient at Mount Vernon Hospital, Cleve was
introduced to the patient’s brother 'Big John Hall', who was formerly a member of
the 1950s rhythm & blues group known as 'The Heart Beats'. As John's brother recovered, Cleve
& John discussed their
mutual love of music. Fascinated by the singing doctor, John asked if he
could hear a few of Cleve’s tunes.
What followed was a serendipitous chain
of events which ultimately led to a meeting with the president of Capitol
Nashville Records; Jimmy Bowen had worked with such legendary stars as Frank
Sinatra, Sammy Davis Junior, Glen Campbell, Gary Morris & Garth Brooks.
With
a new album 'Last Call for Love' & a professionally produced music video,
Cleve was overwhelmed by the response to the album’s lead single 'Love light'.
Suddenly his performance was being aired over CMT (Country Music Television) in
the same rotation as tunes by Alan Jackson, Vince Gill, Patty Loveless &
Billy Dean; what was even more outstanding was the fact that his video won
Music Row Magazine’s 'Independent Video of the Year' in 1990.
With a three record deal now signed with Jimmy Bowen, Cleve was sent on a
country radio tour. Crisscrossing the United States, Cleve visited all the
top country music stations & attended 'listening parties' throughout the nation.
As his new album 'Tourist in Paradise' (Liberty Records, 1992) was released in Nashville, Cleve
quickly became the darling of virtually every major television & newspaper
outlet.
From New York to Washington, Atlanta to Chicago, articles were
written about the singing cardiologist. He was featured in newspapers
&
periodicals from coast to coast; The New York Times, Washington Post,
Chicago Tribune, Atlanta Constitution, Time & People Magazine all wrote
fabulous & complementary articles about the doctor, who also happened to
be a country music sensation. CNN, CBS' 'This Morning' (later replayed on
'60
Minutes'), The Today Show & Good Morning America all aired interviews or
segments about the singer who was still holding down regular office hours as
a practicing cardiologist in Alexandria, Virginia.
It was clear that Cleve would have to take time off from his medical
practice if he was going to fully explore the possibilities of his musical
abilities. With the consent of his partners, Cleve took a leave of absence as
he struck out across America in his tour bus. He began with a three-day
performance schedule at the Colorado State Fair, followed by a hectic
schedule of personal appearances. Thousands of fans welcomed him wherever he
went, but after two years of constant travel & no breakaway hit, it was
time to take stock.
In 1994, Cleve Francis returned to his medical practice after the release of
'You've Got Me Now', his last
Capitol album. Still vitally interested in advancing the
cause of African American country artists, he collaborated with the
Country Music Foundation & the Country Music Association to increase their
efforts to provide opportunities for talented young performers.
Cleve also worked closely with the Country Music
Foundation & Warner Brothers Records to produce a first of its kind three-CD box set entitled
'From Where I Stand'. The CD contained recordings of
many unknown African American country artists with material dating back to the great Black
harmonica player DeFord Bailey who was a star of the Grand Ole Opry in the
late 1930s & early 1940s.
Cleve Francis is the president of Mount Vernon Cardiology Associates & has
served as the president of the Mount Vernon Hospital’s Medical
Staff. He continues to perform locally in the Washington Area at The Birchmere with his eleven-piece band, as well as at local charitable events.
In his spare time he composes music, poetry & delivers motivational
addresses on health issues.
At some point in the future, Cleve Francis hopes to publish
a book on his life & experiences in country music.
Visit Cleve Francis' Official Site
