Richard Clift Jr. is a 15-year veteran of the live music scene, delivering his signature blend of “Nostalgic Acoustic Covers” to audiences across Oklahoma, Texas, and beyond. A proud Kiowa-Apache Native American and one of three ceremonial Headsmen of the Kiowa-Apache Blackfoot Society, Clift’s story is rooted in heritage, grit, and transformation.Born and raised in Carnegie, Oklahoma, Clift spent 15 years in law enforcement, most of it as a deputy sheriff. But in 2020, he made the leap into music full-time answering a deeper calling he could no longer ignore. Since first stepping onto the stage, he’s performed over 1,400 shows across 12 states, steadily building a loyal fanbase of over 18,000 followers across all platforms.From small-town bars to major cities like Boston Massachusetts and Butte Montana and from the mountains of Colorado to the bayous of Louisiana, Clift’s music has taken him far and he's just getting started.“Music saved me from a dark place that once consumed me,” Clift shares.
“My goal is to help save someone else with the songs I write or a cover that hits the heart at the right time.”RCJ writes straight from the gut, stories lived, lessons earned, moments remembered. His wide-ranging influences include Stevie Ray Vaughan, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Dylan Wheeler, Layne Staley (Alice in Chains), Rob Thomas (Matchbox Twenty) Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam), Chris Cornell, George Strait, Vince Gil, Aaron Lewis, and Koe Wetzel, creating a sound that is raw, soulful, and instantly relatable.

A defining figure in Clift’s journey has been his best friend, Shyloh Powers, the lead guitarist for Koe Wetzel. The two musicians share a lifelong bond, calling each other's parents “Mom and Dad” and serving as godfathers to each other’s children.“I wouldn’t know anything about the live music grind, outside of just listening to it, if it weren’t for that dude,” Clift says.
“Seeing what really happens behind the scenes at that level has shown me how to run a solid show.”For Clift, music is more than a career it’s a mission. Fueled by resilience, faith, and purpose, RCJ is out to change lives with every lyric, every show, and every shared moment.