For married country music duo Cliff & Susan, finding each other on stage in Little Rock was less of a coincidence and more like destiny. What began as a single performance has grown into an independent, internationally touring act built on trust, authenticity and a deep connection with live audiences.
Where fiddle meets keys
Cliff & Susan’s story began on stage at Willy D’s Dueling Pianos in Little Rock, when Cliff and Susan Prowse met and performed together in 2016 after a mutual friend introduced them.
“From the very first performance together, the musical chemistry was undeniable,” Cliff and Susan say.
Their instant connection turned into a shared vision, fueled by passion and years of music experience. They officially formed their duo that same year at the Oaklawn Casino in Hot Springs and eloped in Las Vegas in 2017.
“We met on stage, and from that moment on, everything we built grew naturally,” the couple says.
Since then, Cliff & Susan have toured internationally in more than seven countries, performing more than 200 shows per year and sharing the stage with artists like ZZ Top, Sawyer Brown and Niko Moon. They’ve also held more than a decade-long residency at Oaklawn Hot Springs during the Thoroughbred racing season.
“Music has the power to bring people together, and we see that all over the world,” Cliff and Susan say.
Their signature song, Fiddle & Keys, released in January 2023, marked a major milestone in their career. The track earned them an invitation to perform on national television in February 2023. Later that year, their 12-song debut album, also titled Fiddle & Keys, charted in the Top 40 on the US iTunes Country Albums Chart upon its October 2023 release.
"Fiddle & Keys will always be a standout for us. It represents our story, our sound and our performance style all in one song,” the two say.
A lifelong love of music
For both Cliff and Susan, music was one of their earliest loves. Susan grew up on a farm in Magnet Cove, Ark., where the sound of her mother playing piano and singing in church piqued her interest. She pursued the instrument seriously and completed more than a decade of classical training.
“Music became how I connected with people, how I expressed emotion and how I learned to lead a room,” she says.
She was captivated by bold performers like Jerry Lee Lewis, who entertained with flashy moves on the piano.
“From churches and pageants to piano bars and international stages, music has always been the constant thread in my life,” Susan says.
Cliff’s musical journey began just as early in North Little Rock, surrounded by the support of family. He played drums as a toddler and took violin lessons as a child, which eventually led him to fiddle, guitar and “just about anything with strings.”
Some of his first and most formative memories of live music came from watching his dad, a singer, writer and guitarist, perform and feeling awestruck.
“I remember watching him on stage, playing guitar somewhere, and thinking, ‘That’s what I want to do,’” Cliff says.
He draws inspiration from musicians that “blur genre lines while still staying true to who they are, like Charlie Daniels, Brad Paisley and the great blues and rock players who played with intensity and purpose.”
Being married and in a band means Cliff and Susan spend nearly every moment together, but for them, it strengthens the writing process.
“Our personalities are very yin and yang, which works very well,” they say. “The reward is trust. We understand each other on a level that allows us to take risks creatively.”
As independent artists, the duo is deeply involved with arranging and producing the music, making it a more personal experience.
“Themes of unity, love, perseverance and celebration naturally show up in our work because they reflect how we live,” Cliff and Susan say. “Whether someone sees us at a festival, a casino or an intimate venue, our goal is always to create moments that stay with them long after the show ends.”
Looking ahead
Cliff & Susan are committed to building something lasting. Through their music company Big Red Dog Productions and the Entertainers Academy, they focus on empowering independent artists and amplifying the music community in Arkansas. Susan also founded Piano Ladies, a nonprofit that connects female pianists who sing from around the world.
“Independent artists can build meaningful, successful careers without sacrificing authenticity,” Cliff says. “We are proud of what we’ve built together and grateful for the community that continues to support us.”
Their talent was recognized at the 2025 Arkansas Country Music Awards, where they took home Vocal Duo/Group of the Year, Album of the Year and Entertainer of the Year.
“Arkansas will always be home,” Cliff and Susan say. “It’s where our story began and where we continue to return, no matter how far the music takes us.”
For more information, visit cliffandsusan.live.
“From the very first performance together, the musical chemistry was undeniable."
“Arkansas will always be home. It’s where our story began and where we continue to return, no matter how far the music takes us.”