Cliff Cody...Homegrown Talent!

A woman will make a man do crazy things. Bathe, get married, cut his hair, buy a boat, sell his Volkswagen, and wear pink toenail polish. Ok, maybe that last one is just me, but the fact remains the same; men will do a bunch of silly stuff for love. Cliff Cody sang karaoke.
The result, unlike most of the insanities I have committed in the name of unadulterated lust, was not only did he impress the girl but also got a job as lead singer in a West Texas band and a recording contract. I only got to spend the next morning smelling like polish remover, an empty wallet, and shame.
I met Cliff Cody a few months ago through Art Levin, the general manager of the Hog’s Breath Saloon, who thought that it was important that we be introduced. I am very glad that he did. Cliff took the time to graciously remove himself from his adoring fans, and there are many, to give me his CD and other swag (I love swag!) and to tell me his story. He was a Registered Nurse for a long time. He is a friend of and has shared a stage with Jamey Johnson. He has been happily married to Amy for over a decade and they have a daughter, Veronica. He smiles a lot.
Not only is Cliff Cody one of the nicest men that I have ever met but is also one of the most incredible new singer/songwriters out there today. He can cover a song like no one else but as most of you know, a performer’s originals are what pique my interest. “Homegrown” has been adopted by certain friends of mine as their personal pot-smoking anthem. “Back Home” is one of the most poignant and beautiful songs about the war in Iraq ever written. “Tractor Tattoo” is an ode to the best kind of country girl and a guaranteed country hit. His entire cd is full of fantastic cuts already getting a ton of play on southern radio stations!
He is from Odessa, TX and for any of you out there familiar with the movie “Friday Night Lights”, you will recognize the name and the small nowhere town that is portrayed. Cliff grew up there and must have absorbed his talent straight from the dusty fields and jack rabbit trails around his hometown. It is the only explanation that I can offer to you. You see, Cliff did not even know that he could sing until one night, trying to impress a waitress at the bar where he worked as a bouncer, he stepped up on the karaoke stage and belted out a tune that destroyed the place. As fate would have it, there was an off duty band drinking at the bar looking for a lead singer…
Sometimes life happens like that.
The country music world will never be the same. Although Cliff is not yet a household name, I have no doubt that he soon will be. If I have anything to do with it he will! Most of you have a Facebook page by now, I am sure. Go to my page and you will see that Cliff Cody is all over my profile. I believe in this guy and want all of my readers, country music fans or not, to do yourself a favor and come on out to one of the best bars in the world, the Hog’s Breath Saloon, and listen to Cliff this weekend! Very few performers can evoke the emotion, the memories, and the smiles that Cliff Cody can. His easy going style makes it appear so effortless. Maybe it is, for the truly talented. You will not forget him, his infectious smile and incredible talent drawn, seemingly, from the Earth.
Don’t forget to tell him that Stan sent you! You can thank me later.