Cliftones, the Family Band
The Early Signs
When I was young, my parents wanted to instill a home filled with music.
We all took piano lessons from my mom for two years and then she encouraged each of us to pick an instrument to learn while we were under their roof.
At the same time, we were in kids choirs and eventually youth choirs and ensembles.
Early on, as a family with four boys, we also sang as a 5-part acappella group with my dad. We sang several times at our church and for friends.
Those early experiences ended, but for me, the idea that my brothers and I could make music together did not.
The Band I Always Wanted
After years of musical training at home and in my church, taking guitar lessons and teaching guitar, playing in worship bands and forming my own, I started performing more regularly and joined the Andrew Francis Band. With this band, I had the opportunity to record in the studio on several of their songs. Andrew and I spent countless hours talking about our dreams of playing music and the future of the band. Although that chapter eventually came to an end, the experience gave me the confidence to pursue recording an album with my brothers.
Scott and his brothers performing as Cliftones, circa 2010
Over the years, my brother Mark had become an exceptional songwriter and rhythm guitarist, and my other brother Blake had become a good drummer. My primary contribution was as the band's electric guitarist, while also playing several other instruments, providing background vocals, producing recordings, and eventually serving as the band's manager.
Our first studio album as the Cliftones led to seven unforgettable years of songwriting, traveling, recording albums, performing original music, leading worship, and sharing our music throughout Texas and the Southeast.
One of my favorite memories was when my dad joined the band as our bass player. The same dad who had pulled an old guitar from the closet years earlier was now standing beside us on stage. It truly became a family affair, with my oldest brother Wade supporting us on the road at the merch table and my mom as our biggest encourager.
Sharing the Stage
Along the way, we had the privilege of sharing the stage with artists such as Dave Barnes and Bethany Dillon and recording music at Shane & Shane's studio.
One of the highlights came when Shane Bernard heard “Sweet One”—a song Mark had written for his future wife—and complimented both the song and the songwriting. Shane Everett later sang background vocals on our song “Heaven on the Horizon.” Both tracks appear on our album Cadence.
In 2009, we finished in the Top 5 of Tate Music Group's inaugural Artist of the Year competition for independent artists across the U.S.
If you'd like to hear our music, you'll find it on Spotify, Apple Music, or in the music samples below.
Green Acres Baptist Church, Tyler TX — 2008
Texas A&M Island Party — 2007
From Cadence, 2010
Featured Songs
Heaven on the Horizon
Hear the full albums on Spotify: Cadence, 2010 · Shackles, 2007