Cleveland Francis

Cleve Francis was a cardiologist based in Washington, D.C. who was moonlighting in local clubs as a country singer, self-releasing three albums on his own label. A patient helped Francis get an audition with Playback Records, which signed him and released an album; while it didn't sell well, the attention led to a deal with Liberty, which released Tourist in Paradise in 1991, marking the first prominent contract for a Black country artist since Charley Pride. Two years later, Francis returned with Walkin', and You've Got Me Now appeared in 1994, but by 1995 Francis had left the industry and returned to his medical career.