Review: CLIFF & SUSAN at Birdie's Cabaret Theater & Lounge in North Little Rock

Intimate settings are my favorite way to experience a show, and combining Birdie’s Cabaret Theater and Lounge in North Little Rock with powerhouse performers Cliff & Susan was a recipe for a truly unforgettable evening. After seeing the award-winning Arkansas duo for the first time on Thursday, May 8, it was easy to understand exactly why they were named the 2025 Arkansas Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year. No matter the size of the crowd, this husband-and-wife team knows precisely how to put on a show. Their ability to connect with the audience through their music, storytelling, and making every audience member feel like part of the family, is testiment that they are destined for stardom! Their momentum shows no signs of slowing down, as they are once again nominated at the Arkansas Country Music Awards for Entertainer of the Year, Vocal Duo/Group of the Year, Song of the Year for West Virginia, and Video of the Year for Spitfire. The awards ceremony will be held June 1 at Reynolds Performance Hall. 

Cliff & Susan are one of those rare musical partnerships whose personal connection shines as brightly as their talent. Their blend of country, Americana, and roots music may be their bread and butter, but they can play anything....you hear me....A-N-Y-T-H-I-N-G! It is easy to see why they have a following, and more than just skilled performers, they are storytellers who invite audiences into their world, which is highly entertaining yet and deeply relatable.

Their concert at Birdie’s felt like the musical equivalent of being invited into a dear friend’s living room with 100+ of your closests friends with yummy beverages and delectible offerings. Even when the chatter became animated, Cliff & Susan were still able to reel the crowd back in with ease. Whether it was singing along to Sweet Caroline or a Charlie Daniels classic, everyone stopped to marvel at their musicianship. 

Not only are Cliff & Susan captivating performers, they are also exceptionally gifted songwriters, and they are currently hard at work on their second album. During their concert at Birdie’s, they treated the audience to several original songs, including Come On In, the title track from their upcoming album, as well as West Virginia and Hey Bartender. Susan shared that they are writing this new collection “so you can dance,” and based on what I heard, fans are in for a toe-tapping treat. While dance tunes may be one of their greatest strengths, their ballads are equally breathtaking, revealing the emotional depth and gorgeous harmonies that make their music so compelling.

One of my personal favorites is You Play the Fiddle and I Play the Keys, the title track from their debut album and the song that earned them an Arkansas Country Music Awards honor last year. I absolutely adore this tune because it perfectly captures their playful chemistry and the joyful partnership that fuels both their music and their marriage. If the songs from their upcoming album are any indication, Cliff & Susan are poised to keep audiences dancing and smiling for many years to come.

Susan’s voice is rich and expressive. Whether she is delivering a country-fied pop song or leading a spirited sing-along, she has a way of drawing listeners in with effortless warmth and sincerity. Cliff complements her beautifully with his tenor vocals and exceptional guitar work....as well as harmonica, fiddle, and I'm told 10 or so other instruments. Together, there is such a natural ease between them that every song feels genuine and deeply personal.

Adding an extra layer of richness to the performance at Birdies was STEPHEN BAILEY on drums. Bailey’s playing was the perfect complement to Cliff & Susan’s sound. He knew exactly when to provide a subtle rhythmic pulse and when to kick things up with a little extra energy, and adlibbing the Metallica song was impressive. Bless him....even though he didn't know the song, he faked it anyway like a true musician.

One of the things I love most about attending performances in the Argenta Arts District is that you truly never know who might walk through the door. Cliff & Susan not only brought a room full of devoted fans, but they also drew one of Argenta’s most recognizable and beloved neighborhood figures, Greg Nabholz. In one of the evening’s most charming and unexpected moments, Greg offered his own uniquely Argenta-inspired twist on Take Me Home, Country Roads by John Denver. With Susan enthusiastically leading the way, the audience quickly joined in, transforming the beloved classic into a joyful community sing-along. It was one of those spontaneous moments that perfectly captured the heart and soul of the night.

By the end of the evening, I left Birdie’s with a brand-new appreciation for these remarkable Arkansas artists. Cliff & Susan delivered an unforgettable concert and everyone had an enjoyable time. I can't wait to see how they fill up the space during the ACMA Awards Show June 1. 

Coming up at Birdie’s Cabaret Theater and Lounge, audiences can enjoy an eclectic mix of entertainment, from high-energy rock bands and spooky horror movie screenings to mind-bending magic acts and so much more. If one event is not quite your style, chances are the very next night will feature something that is right up your alley. With such a diverse lineup of performances and experiences, there truly is something for everyone at Birdie’s.

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