About Me
Dennis Clifton grew up in Decatur Alabama, where at age 15, he learned to play slide guitar by watching Duane Allman rehearse and play with the Hour Glass Band before it later became The Allman Brothers Band. He left home at an early age to hit the road playing clubs and opening concerts for acts like Lynyrd Skynyrd, 38 Special, Marshall Tucker, Fog Hat & Edgar Winter. In the late 70's Dennis formed a new band with Larry Byrom of Steppenwolf. This group turned into FCC which recorded on the RCA label. Dennis was the lead guitarist, lead singer and main writer for FCC. FCC had two albums for RCA Records and the hit song "Baby I Want You". After the dissolution of FCC, Dennis became a guitar slinger for hire and worked for numerous acts ranging from Percy Sledge to T.Graham Brown. Most recently, he has been a singer/song- writer/guitarist in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, as well as co-producer of Cornbread Red and Iron Horse for CMH Records of L.A. California. He has also worked with various local groups of the Shoals area such as the Fiddleworms. Dennis’ musical talents easily gave him a well known reputation on the club circuit in the south.Dennis' musical style was honed from Delta Blues, Southern Rock, New Orleans Jazz and Muscle Shoals Soul. Dennis’ writing evokes images from Delbert Mclinton to the bluesy side of Travis Tritt, and naturally so since both have influenced his writing over the years. Other influences include Mike McDonald, Gregg Allman, Duane Allman, Bonnie Raitt, Les Dudek, Clayton Ivey and Larry Carlton.
The majority of Dennis Clifton’s life has been devoted to music. He has worked for over 10 years for Desert Rose Music as the Sound Engineer and has spent countless hours in the studio writing, mixing and playing music. While strumming the strings on his guitar, Dennis has tugged on the heartstrings of everyone who has come in contact with him - both inside and outside of the music realm.
Dennis has been married to Kathy Clifton for 27 years and they reside in Killen, Alabama, with their daughter, Katie, age 17, who is a junior at Brooks High School. Their son, Corey, age 21, just graduated from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
DENNIS’ BATTLE WITH CANCER
Approximately one year ago, Dennis Clifton was diagnosed with cancer in his throat. He underwent extensive radiation and chemotherapy treatments at UAB Hospital. He was optomistic about his future as his doctors had told him that they believed they had “gotten it allâ€. However, in early April of 2007, a cancerous spot showed up on one of Dennis’ kidneys. His kidney was removed on April 18th. Again, he was told that his future seemed good. This was short lived as the relentless cancer returned on Dennis’ tongue, throat, chin and jaw. The doctors gave him on 6 months to live if they did not do surgery immediately. In early May of 2007, our beloved musician had to undergo radical surgery wherein his complete tongue was removed along with his voice box and vocal chords. The cancer in the bone in his face also had to be removed. Bone grafts were taken from his legs to reconstruct his jaw and chin. Dennis has a feeding tube as he is no longer able to eat normally. He uses a dry erase board or computer to communicate with. Although he has faced so much in such a short period of time, he is still an inspiration to all around him. Unable to ever talk or sing again, Dennis still strums his guitar on good days. The music is still playing as long as his heart is still beating.
Dennis and his family need your support in helping, both financially, and with your musical talents at the Benefit on his behalf, set on June 19, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. at Fizz Lounge at the Holiday Inn in Sheffield, Al... Let's rally together and do what we can!!
