Cindy Alter
Cindy Alter, born into a musical family, always felt that music was her destiny. She picked up a guitar at age 10, wrote her first song at 15, and soon joined a heavy-rock cover band, performing songs from Led Zeppelin and Grand Funk. Influenced by iconic songwriters like James Taylor, Carole King, and Cat Stevens, Cindy’s passion for songwriting grew, and she recorded her first single, ‘Schoolboy,’ after high school. In 1977, she auditioned for the all-girl band Clout, and her life changed overnight.
Clout’s cover of “Substitute” became a global hit, reaching the top of charts in multiple countries and securing the band’s place in pop history. Touring Europe, Cindy performed alongside major acts like, The Police, Supertramp, and Dire Straits. Despite the band’s commercial success, tensions with management led to Clout’s breakup after only four years. Determined to continue her musical journey, Cindy formed Cyndicate, a band focused on original material, and later Zia, a multi-racial group that blended pop rock with Zulu influences. Zia opened for the Bee Gees in France, though a planned U.S. tour fell through.
In 1990, Cindy relocated to Los Angeles, where she stretched her musical abilities and released two solo albums, ‘Silver Moon’ and ‘Dark Heart.’ She became deeply involved in the local songwriting scene, performing at venues like the Roxy and hosting songwriter showcases. Her career took a dramatic turn in 2002 when she was diagnosed with leukemia. After enduring intense chemotherapy and a stem-cell transplant, Cindy emerged stronger, with a renewed commitment to music.
She reunited with Clout for a successful South African tour and recorded a new album, which included her original compositions. Cindy then formed the acoustic country-rock duo Alter Irving, releasing the album ‘Chained to the Wind’ and earning local radio success with her single ‘Tightrope.’
In 2022, Cindy made her long-awaited move to Nashville, the city she had always dreamed of calling home. Since arriving, she has been playing writer’s rounds, collaborating with local musicians, and performing at many of Nashville’s top venues. 2024 brings the release of a new seven-song EP entitled, “Renegades and Vagabonds” written by Cindy Alter and recorded with top Nashville talent and produced by Dave Tough & Steve Creech. Throughout every challenge and triumph, Cindy’s passion for music remains as strong as ever, as she continues to inspire others with her story and songs.
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