“Cliffie and I received the Academy of Country Music
Pioneer Award together in 1972; our pioneering trails have crossed many times on the Melody Ranch, radio,
television, records, and music publishing. I am proud
to call him my friend and to have had him as a member of my team down through the years. Aspiring artists will benefit from his know-how that he shares in his songwriting and talent show books.”
-GENE AUTRY: ACM Pioneer Award; CMA Hall of Fame |
![Gene Autry & Cliffie](/images/quotes/autry.jpg) |
“When I became associated with Cliffie, a red-letter
day dawned in my life. To record a song like “Sixteen
Tons” and watch its results is a dream come true for
every artist. So I urge you to read his books and learn
firsthand from a man who truly knows the beauty of
our country music, which is heard around the world,
and in great part because of the knowledge of Cliffie
Stone. From my heart, I thank him.”
-TENNESSEE ERNIE FORD
ACM Pioneer Award; CMA Hall of Fame |
![Tennessee Ernie Ford & Cliffie](/images/quotes/ernie.jpg) |
“Encouraging new talent is important. It ensures that
the music will never stop! Cliffie spent his life nurturing
performers. I can’t tell you how pleased I am that the Cliffie Stone Equestrian Trail is being dedicated in Santa
Clarita, CA. It’s appropriate that generations to follow
should be reminded of his extraordinary contributions
to our musical lives!”
-DICK CLARK
Emmy’s Lifetime Achievement Award; Creator - American Bandstand and American Music Awards; ACM Award Show Executive Producer |
![Cliffie & Dick Clark](/Cliffie/Images/dickclark.png) |
“I am proud to have known Cliffie. He was my good luck charm. Whenever he was in the studio while I was recording at Capitol, my song would become a hit! Cliffie’s book will be of much assistance to any new writer because of its valuable content.
There is a diagram and a method to constructing a well-written song and he knows these guidelines as well as anyone. He’s a
professor, a publisher and his songwriting book is long overdue.”
-MERLE HAGGARD
Singer/songwriter: ACM Pioneer Award; CMA Hall of Fame Award |
![Merle Haggard & Cliffie Stone](/images/quotes/haggard.jpg) |
“You don’t need to be an aspiring songwriter to enjoy this book. It’s fun and entertaining for anyone to read. The way Cliffie weaves his personal experiences throughout the book gives it a sense of country music history.”
-MINNIE PEARL
Comedieene, Grand Ole Opry; ACM Pioneer Award; CMA Hall of Fame Award |
“If you could write down the name of every artist, musician,
writer, manager, etc. that Cliffie spoke an encouraging
word to (and I was no exception), it would probably extend
from here to the hereafter!”
-BUCK OWENS
Singer/songwriter; ACM Pioneer Award; CMA Hall of Fame |
![Buck Owens & Cliffie](/images/quotes/owens.jpg) |
“Cliffie gave newcomers a chance. He was an inspiration to so many and he certainly was to me!”
-BARBARA MANDRELL
ACM Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award; CMA Hall of Fame |
“So many have written to me over the years wanting to
Know the answers that are contained in this songwriting
book; and Cliffie Stone is a name well-respected ‘across
the board’ in the music world. He knows whereof he
speaks. You’ll enjoy reading this informative book.”
-PEGGY LEE
Entertainer/Recording Star; Songwriter; Actress; Pied Piper Award, ASCAP 1990 |
![Cliffie, Joan Carol & Peggy Lee](/images/quotes/lee.jpg) |
“I met Cliffie in the late 1960’s in Hollywood, and he was already a legend. He was a beacon for country talent, and our most effective voice to the Los Angeles Entertainment Industry.”
-BRUCE HINTON
Chairman Emeritus, MCA Records Nashville |
![Joan Carol & Bruce Hinton](/images/quotes/hinton.jpg) |
“Cliffie’s new book is the closest a new songwriter can
get to professional advice from one of the most beloved
and respected music men in the business today. The style brings the reader up close and personal with someone who is deeply involved in the careers of hundreds of
successful songwriters. Cliffie combines a practical, down to earth approach to the problems of writing with the
talents of a master storyteller that will give the reader
wonderful glimpses of memorable moments in music
industry history as well as career-building advice.”
-FRANCES W. PRESTON
BMI President & CEO, 1986-2004 CMA Hall of Fame; Gospel Music Hall of Fame; Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame; Gammy’s Nat’l Trustees Award from the Recording Academy |
![Francis Preson & Cliffie](/images/quotes/preston.jpg) |
“Many years ago, I found a home at Central Songs because my buddy, Cliffie, always had an open door and an open ear to my bag of songs. He has worked with great writers such
as: Tommy Collins, Freddie Hart, Buck Owens - to name a
few. Since he is both a publisher and a songwriter, he understands our needs. Who could be better qualified to write this
much needed beginner’s songwriting book than Cliffie?”
-HARLAN HOWARD
Songwriter; International, 1973 ACM’s Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award; Nashville Songwriters Asso. Hall of Fame; |
![Harlan Howard & Cliffie](/images/quotes/howard.jpg) |
“Who better to write a book about songwriting than
Cliffie Stone! He’s been involved in all aspects of
the music business with not only great success, but
also great integrity.” Photo: Kenny Rogers singing at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s 25th Anniversary Celebration on CBS-TV. (Cliffie is in the back row.)
-KENNY ROGERS
Singer/songwriter; CMA and ACM Multiple Award Winner; ACM’s Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award; |
![Kenny Rogers & Cliffie Stone](/Cliffie/Images/kennyrogers.png) |
“Cliffie is a man who has done it all and has been recognized by his peers with almost every conceivable award – including induction into the CMA Hall of Fame. His book is fun to read but, more importantly, it is informative and guides the beginning songwriter along the right paths.”
-JO WALKER-MEADOR
CMA Executive Director; CMA Hall of Fame |
![Jo Walker-Meador & Cliffie](/images/quotes/jwalker2.jpg) |
“Cliffie’s diverse knowledge of the music business, along with his many talents and kind heart, have made him one of country music’s best assets.”
-GEORGE STRAIT
Singer; CMA Hall of Fame; Multitude of Awards from CMA and ACM
|
“This is a very important piece of literature for the
American songwriter – written by one of the most
important and versatile people that I know of in
the music business during my lifetime. It should be
mandatory reading for anyone who wishes a career
in songwriting, publishing or any other phase of the
music business. Without being able to tap into the
vast knowledge of Cliffie Stone over the past 37
years of my career, my success would have been
limited. Most important of all, I’ve also learned
how to be a better human being! I love you, Cliffie!”
-BOBBY BARE
Singer/songwriter/publisher; RCA Recording Artist; Nashville Network TV Host |
“I’ve written a lot of songs – some were hits and some
were misses; and I had to learn the hard way because
there wasn’t anyone around to help me. I only wish
Cliffie had written his book at least 20 years sooner.”
-HANK THOMPSON
Singer/songwriter/guitar player; CMA Hall of Fame, 1989 |
![Cliffie & Hank Thompson](/images/quotes/thompson.jpg) |
“In every craft there is nothing more important than fundamentals. I know that Cliffie’s book will serve as a valuable resource for all songwriters. I’m glad that he took the time to put his wisdom and experience into words, and I’m proud to be his friend.”
-DON SCHLITZ
CMA Song of the Year: “The Gambler”, 1979; CMA Song of the year, “On the Other Hand”, 1986 (with Paul Overstreet); CMA and ACM Song of the Year, “Forever & Ever Amen,” 1987 (with Paul Overstreet)
|
“Cliffie has been the most important influence on country music that the West Coast has ever had or ever will have! The stars that he has discovered through his radio and television shows and the songwriters that he has helped as a publisher reads like a Who’s Who. So read, learn, and write your way to songwriting success with Cliffie as your friend and guide!”
-JOE ALLISON
Recording Executive; Disc Jockey; Songwriter Country Music DJ Hall of Fame, 1976; Hall of Fame - Nashville Songwriter’s Asso. International, 1978; ACM’s The Jim Reeves Memorial Award, 1969
|
“I’ve known and loved Cliffie for many years and I don’t know one soul who has more to offer aspiring songwriters. His knowledge of the entire entertainment business qualifies him to be the ideal advisor for those interested in entering the creative world. There is a need to encourage creativity and to lessen the fear of the unknown. Cliffie’s book is the definitive answer.”
-PAUL CORBIN
Music Executive; The Nashville Network, Director of Programming
|
“Roy and I were blessed to know Cliffie. We appreciated the integrity and honor that he brought to the
profession. Most of all, we prized his sense of humor
and what a joy he was to work with.”
-DALE EVANS & ROY ROGERS
1st Lady of the West; CMA Hall of Fame; ACM Pioneer Award |
![Dale Evans & Joan Carol](/images/quotes/evans.jpg) |
![Roy Rogers & CJoan Carol](/images/quotes/rogers.jpg) |