The king is back. Many of you are unaware that The Crying Man released an album in 1999. Actually that’s Cleavant Derricks, the actor who portrays the cherished musical slider. The fans that did know about the album, asked me for a copy. I didn’t want to pirate it illegally. Who could do that to a man who already cries out of each eye individually? Well finally Cleavant Derricks’ album, “Beginnings” has hit the streaming world. There has to be a world where he’s bigger than Elvis Presley right?
Cleavant Derricks is the namesake of his father, Cleavant Derricks. His father, a preacher and songwriter was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1910. He wrote the song, “Just a Little Talk with Jesus” which was later covered by several musicians including The Oak Ridge Boys and Elvis Presley. As you can see, his son, the Cleavant Derricks we all know and love grew up with music in his family. They released their own LP record. He, his father and the rest of the family are featured on the album cover. Fun fact, Cleavant has a twin, Clinton Derricks-Carroll who was featured as his double in “The King is Back”, “Greatfellas” and “The Prince of Slides.”
In 1953, Cleavant Derricks was born in Knoxville, Tennessee. Not all that far from my neck in the woods. Cleavant is passionate in broadway and screen acting, not to mention songwriting and singing. In 1982, Cleavant walked on the stage and was presented with The Tony Award for his acting in the broadway musical play “Dreamgirls”. It is the highest honor you can achieve in American theater and Broadway productions. It’s the equivalent to the Oscars, Emmys and Grammys. Before Sliders, he had roles in several TV series and movies. Some of the most popular are “Moscow on the Hudson” with Robin Williams and the TV series “Thea.”
In the early 90s his agent called him about auditioning for a role in Sliders. He came in, done the audition and as Cleavant put it “they were on the floor” in laughter. I guess you could call it natural dry humor and that on top of his singing abilities shot him even higher to stardom. From “Cry Like a Man” to “Tears and My Fro,” we all wanted more of his singing. A lot more. I don’t think the executives realized that, but creator Tracy Tormé did. He wrote “The King is Back” featuring Rembrandt’s music stardom. In December of 1999 Cleavant released his album “Beginnings”, but unfortunately by that time Sliders was coming to an end. Many fans lost interest after season 3 and missed out on his music.
Believe it or not, back in the day I was able to email Cleavant and I ordered the album. It may have been by money order, I’m not quite sure. Since you’re a Sliders fan you’ll undoubtedly like the song “Remmy’s Slide” the best. Cleavant wasn’t able to get Jerry O’Connell at the time, but he was able to get a vocalist to provide Quinn’s “Where’s the timer?” line in the song. In addition to that track, my favorites are “Crusin’ L.A.”, “Pain In the Walls” and “She Was the One.”
You can now listen to his entire album “Beginnings” online. Most of the streaming services below are free to listen. So be sure to check them out and support our one and only Crying Man, Mr. Cleavant Derricks.
Cleavant Derricks, Beginnings (1999)
Spotify
Apple Music
Youtube Music
Pandora
iHeartRadio
Tracklist:
- Crusin’ L.A.
- Better Get Off of Me
- Incident in A Pleasant Grove
- A Matter of Time
- Standing in The Need of Love
- Missing You
- Pain In The Walls
- Remmy’s Slide
- She Was The On