CC DeVine and Hazard country band consists of founders Peter & Christine Clarke on bass and acoustic guitars. They are also the songwriters / main vocalists and have played together for over 20 years in various rock bands also working as an acoustic duo. This country rock venture features veteran performers Chrissy Clarke (aka CC DeVine) on vocals, rhythm guitar and banjo. ‘Powerchord’ Pete Clarke is on bass, vocals, guitar and arrangements.
Their joint pedigrees cover many years of performing blues, classic rock, country, folk and soul. In recent times they have produced a Janis Joplin tribute show. Having played the rockers for so long, they sought a new outlet and found it in Hazard. Pete & CC always found the melody and harmony of the top country artists appealing and decided to try it for themselves. Not so much the traditional ‘Stetsons & Stand By Your Man’ stuff but Jo Dee Messina, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Steve Earle.
CC DeVine and Hazard Country Band
They are also drawn to the Shel Silverstein songs for Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show, Blackberry Smoke and Creedence Clearwater Revival. Not to mention Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Outlaws and The Eagles to name but a few! The result is what they like to think of as Power Country.
CC DeVine and Hazard band members: Jim Field, lead guitar, is a former London session player and also an excellent jazz pianist! Brendan O’Grady on rhythm guitar and top harmonies was previously frontman for Equallibria, a Muse influenced prog rock trio. On drums is Martin Brewster, a local legend. Name almost any band from Oldham or Rochdale and the chances are he’s worked with them!
As of mid 2012, there was a full 5-piece band featuring Brendan O’Grady and Jim Field on guitars and Martin Brewster on drums. They just love playing songs that were written in Australia. You’ll be impressed by their country style subjects and structures with a nod to tradition but attempting to avoid clichés. All delivered with the commitment of seasoned rockers. Two songs have been picked up by a Nashville publisher and one by a publisher in Missouri. To everyone’s surprise and delight, the full band live performances have audiences singing along as though they were hearing old favourites!
In the meantime…download and enjoy this selection of albums for your collection.
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