Cleve Francis is a singer, songwriter, and performer, and a retired cardiologist. Releasing his first recording in 1967, he made several records in the 1980s for independent labels before being signed by Capitol Nashville/Liberty Records in 1991. Francis placed four songs on the Billboard charts and, after national and international tours, returned to his cardiology practice in 1995.

"Cleve's story really resonated with me as a Southerner who also had a strong mother that sacrificed for her son's pursuit of a dream. This book is a heartfelt, honest portrayal of not only a Black man, but a Black musician preserving Black culture and its influence during a time of transition in our country. Thank you, Cleve."—Darius Rucker"I was delighted to work with Cleve Francis, who had one of the finest country music voices I ever encountered. He could light up any stage and charm any audience. Cleve wasn't just a great Black country artist; he was a great country artist, period. His life story is an amazing version of the American dream."—Jimmy Bowen, producer and record executive"Dr. Cleve Francis has led a life of service to his community and the world through his work as a doctor and as a musician. He's a trailblazer in every sense of the word. His founding of the Black Country Music Association and subsequent advocacy work has made a huge impact on my own career and influenced and inspired me to do the same for others. I am so happy the world will know his story in his own words, on his own terms."—Rissi Palmer, country music artist and radio host"Cleve Francis has inspired me since I walked into his doctor's office decades ago. He is a medicine man who moves like a human melody, and this memoir is an honest and unforgettable song where identity bends into lyric and memory's rhythm keeps time. When he's onstage, we are all his patients. His voice—on record and in this book—is unmistakably healing and insightful. Do your heart good and read this brilliant history aloud. Let each word be a ballad that makes you smile or at least hope. Let his remarkable story cure some of the woe in our world, inspire you to play on and on."—Kwame Alexander, award-winning author and TV producer"Essential work from an essential Black country artist. By telling his improbable story, Cleve Francis—a brilliant cardiologist who became a noted country singer— broadens our understanding of Music City and deepens our understanding of America."—Alice Randall, bestselling author and songwriter"Since before his time as a graduate student at William & Mary, Cleve Francis has pursued two loves: music and medicine. Country, blues, folk, and cardiology: his story has much to teach the next generation of talented leaders about pursuing excellence with grit and flair."—Katherine A. Rowe, president, The College of William and Mary"Over the years, those of us who write country music songs for a living have explored some unusual subject matter in our writings. But none of us, even in our most arcane moments, would have ever dreamed up a story about a Black cardiologist turning his back on a promising medical career to become a country music singer. That's the tale Dr. Cleve Francis tells in this book. And not only does he tell it, and tell it well, but like the best country songs, it's true. I had a hard time putting it down."—Bill Anderson, Grand Ole Opry star

• DedicationAuthor's NoteChapter OneChapter TwoChapter ThreeChapter FourChapter FiveChapter SixChapter SevenChapter EightChapter NineChapter TenChapter ElevenChapter TwelveChapter ThirteenChapter FourteenChapter FifteenChapter SixteenChapter SeventeenChapter EighteenChapter NineteenDiscography and VideographyAfterword: Where Are They Now?Acknowledgments

Cleve Francis is a singer, songwriter, and performer, and a retired cardiologist. Releasing his first recording in 1967, he made several records in the 1980s for independent labels before being signed by Capitol Nashville/Liberty Records in 1991. Francis placed four songs on the Billboard charts and, after national and international tours, returned to his cardiology practice in 1995.

"Cleve's story really resonated with me as a Southerner who also had a strong mother that sacrificed for her son's pursuit of a dream. This book is a heartfelt, honest portrayal of not only a Black man, but a Black musician preserving Black culture and its influence during a time of transition in our country. Thank you, Cleve."—Darius Rucker"I was delighted to work with Cleve Francis, who had one of the finest country music voices I ever encountered. He could light up any stage and charm any audience. Cleve wasn't just a great Black country artist; he was a great country artist, period. His life story is an amazing version of the American dream."—Jimmy Bowen, producer and record executive"Dr. Cleve Francis has led a life of service to his community and the world through his work as a doctor and as a musician. He's a trailblazer in every sense of the word. His founding of the Black Country Music Association and subsequent advocacy work has made a huge impact on my own career and influenced and inspired me to do the same for others. I am so happy the world will know his story in his own words, on his own terms."—Rissi Palmer, country music artist and radio host"Cleve Francis has inspired me since I walked into his doctor's office decades ago. He is a medicine man who moves like a human melody, and this memoir is an honest and unforgettable song where identity bends into lyric and memory's rhythm keeps time. When he's onstage, we are all his patients. His voice—on record and in this book—is unmistakably healing and insightful. Do your heart good and read this brilliant history aloud. Let each word be a ballad that makes you smile or at least hope. Let his remarkable story cure some of the woe in our world, inspire you to play on and on."—Kwame Alexander, award-winning author and TV producer"Essential work from an essential Black country artist. By telling his improbable story, Cleve Francis—a brilliant cardiologist who became a noted country singer— broadens our understanding of Music City and deepens our understanding of America."—Alice Randall, bestselling author and songwriter"Since before his time as a graduate student at William & Mary, Cleve Francis has pursued two loves: music and medicine. Country, blues, folk, and cardiology: his story has much to teach the next generation of talented leaders about pursuing excellence with grit and flair."—Katherine A. Rowe, president, The College of William and Mary"Over the years, those of us who write country music songs for a living have explored some unusual subject matter in our writings. But none of us, even in our most arcane moments, would have ever dreamed up a story about a Black cardiologist turning his back on a promising medical career to become a country music singer. That's the tale Dr. Cleve Francis tells in this book. And not only does he tell it, and tell it well, but like the best country songs, it's true. I had a hard time putting it down."—Bill Anderson, Grand Ole Opry star

• DedicationAuthor's NoteChapter OneChapter TwoChapter ThreeChapter FourChapter FiveChapter SixChapter SevenChapter EightChapter NineChapter TenChapter ElevenChapter TwelveChapter ThirteenChapter FourteenChapter FifteenChapter SixteenChapter SeventeenChapter EighteenChapter NineteenDiscography and VideographyAfterword: Where Are They Now?Acknowledgments