The Cliff Gracey Memorial Fund

The Cliff Gracey Memorial Fund will honor my father's life and legacy by donating 100% of the funds raised to organizations who embody the same passion for the arts, and the same desire to educate and enable the next generation of great musicians that he did.

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Cliff's love for music started young. Many people in the Detroit area remember Cliff as the original founding member of Orange Lake Drive – the band named after the street that he grew up on – playing shows at the Wagon Wheel and Pine Knob.

Others may know him from more recent years, playing shows at the Ark in Ann Arbor with the likes of Josh White Jr. and Barbara Bailey Hutchison, or on stage playing solo at Arts Beats & Eats.

Others still may remember him as a guitar and music teacher, tutor, soccer coach or team manager. Cliff has spent his entire life being a part of – and contributing to – the local music community, and I know he wouldn't want that to stop with his passing.

The goal of this fund is to help extend his kindness, compassion, and love for music and the arts, to young, upcoming musicians from underprivileged areas. Musicians and artists who don't necessarily have the means to make it on their own.

As my dad's passing was unexpected, and the outpouring of love and support has been so wonderful, we want to take the time to do this right. After his funeral we will begin vetting organizations that embody my dad's spirit. Organizations who do good for the Metro Detroit arts community, and organizations who will truly put the money to good use.

If you would rather wait until the organizations are chosen and/or donate directly, please keep an eye on this GoFundMe page and we will be sure to post updates. And if you know of an organization that you think embodies Cliff's spirit, and would like to make sure we consider them, please don't hesitate to reach out to me!

Thank you all for sharing your stories, memories, and your love for my Dad. I cannot express how much it means to my family and I.