Cliff Ayers Home Page (born Clifford Ostermeyer).... started singing in Europe during World War II in musicals and also with big bands including Tony Pastor, Jimmy Dorsey, and George Auld as a special guest. After the war he went to New York and appeared in the last phase of Vaudville on the Leows circuit. Cliff then sang in nightclubs like "Leon and Eddies", "The Copa", and many clubs coast to coast. During this time, Cliff recorded for Jubilee records and this label also had Liberace. "I'll Wait For You" became a hit on Jubilee Records then Decca Records bought the master and released it world wide. Cliff then recorded "Chances Are" and other hits on Decca Records. While singing in clubs in New York, Cliff was hired by Sammy Kay while appearing at the famous "Astor Roof Hotel" on Broadway. Cliff recorded "It's All In the Game" with Sammy on Columbia Records and it sold a million. Cliff left Sammy to sing solo on Decca Records and do television in it's early years. A producer saw Cliff at a club and cast him with Eva Marie Saint in a TV show on NBC called "Campus Hoopia". Television was only on in the evenings at the time. After the TV show, Art Mooney hired Cliff to sing "Honestly" with him on MGM records and it became a major hit.
Cliff stopped singing nation wide and returned to his home in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. He married and had a daughter Tessa and three sons. He also had a TV show on CBS affiliate WANE called "Breakfast In Fort Wayne". During this time he also ran for State Representative and led the ticket to be nominated. Cliff also started a paper called "The Music City Entertainer". After a divorce, Cliff relocated in Nashville, TN. He revitalized his record companies Emerald Records and American Sound that he had started in 1950's in New York. He also continued his paper that is now celebrating its 31st year of publication. At this time, Cliff does a TV show, "Record Row Review" in its 11th year on tv. He also records many people from around the world on Emerald and records his own songs. Music Town Distributors sends the records worldwide. Cliff still records and sings all over the world. He has a new CD compilation coming out soon.
Recently, Cliff was inducted into "The Big Band Hall of Fame" in Palm Beach Florida. He always says, "stick around long enough and it'll come to you"! Scroll down for more...
As always, Mr. Ayers welcomes your e-mails and would love to answer your valuable questions.
Did you know that the U.S. Music Union wouldn't play music for President Truman because the union wanted more money? James C. Petrillo, starter of the U.S. Music Union 82 wouldn't allow musicians to perform so everybody had to cut music with choirs. Cliff cut with a choir and a harmonica because it wasn't considered an instrument. Petrillo then asked Mr. Ayers to join the union and he did over 50 years ago..............
