Brian Clash — Lead Singer/Rhythm Guitarist/Song Writer
Brian “Clash” Griffin has been a regular performer at various coffeehouses, benefit concerts, and rallies since 2000. In February 2002, he work began on his debut album, "Late Bloomer" released in March 2003. In the fall of 2004, the EP "Dispatches From the HomeFront" was released before the presidential election. Recording continued for the second full length CD "HomeFront" which was released in June 2005. In August and September 2005, Brian returned to the studio to record a 3rd CD of pop songs. The resulting CD," LoveLoss," was released in October 2005. 2012 brought “Love and Protest: the Best of Brian Griffin,” a collection of new and previously released material. In 2014, Brian began performing under his former staage name, Brian Clash, and created a new band, “The Coffee House Rebels.” During this time, Brian was working with Columbus music legend Willie Phoenix, writing, and recording songs. Some of these songs appeared on the release “Brian Clash: The Phoenix Sessions 2012-2019.” Brian continues playing shows and benefits around the Central Ohio area with his current project, The Brian Clash Band, and recording songs for the next release.
Clyde Hannah — Bass Player/Backup Vocals
Clyde Hannah (aka CC Hannah) has been a musician most of his life. Starting as a drummer, adding guitar, and now moving onto bass, he’s a multi-talented Musician with a capital M. In addition, CC adds texture to the vocals as a back up singer.
He started as a marching band and jazz band drummer in High School. His first rock band was Spectrum, recording their first EP “Colors” in 1992. He moved on to the Rustic Blue Junkies playing guitar, recording an album by the same name…note the tribute to Keith Richards.
CC worked as a session artist in Huntington, WV with a variety of artists on a variety of instruments: drums, guitar, lap steel, and pedal steel.
His last gig before a 20 year hiatus was in 2004 when he played in a tribute concert to his late father-in-law, Jim “Kozmos” Cummings, the legendary bass player for Willie Phoenix. Two of the several bands that also performed were Watershed and Willie Phoenix.
Tina Holly — Drums/Backup Vocals
Always a music lover, one of Tina’s memories from Kindergarten was taking tap dance lessons. Then by 5th and 6th grade, she picked up the drums to be in the school band. But alas, when it was time to transition to junior high, the band director wasn’t a patient person, and Tina quit. Fast forward a few decades, and she decided waiting any longer to fulfill a dream of a drummer was out of the question. So she found a patient teacher and started lessons. She’s only been at it a few years, but it’s turned into an obsession, that leaves her wondering why she waited so long?! Also, she was named a 2023 Finalist in her age category in the international drumming competition Hit Like a Girl.
In the rest of her life, she holds a Ph.D, in education from The Ohio State University, and teaches for Kent State. She’s also an education consultant, author of teacher/librarian resource books, and a seminar presenter on children’s and teen literature. She’s a retired, national award winning school librarian. All of this stems from her passion for books, reading, and writing. Check out her website to see more about these other parts of her life.
AJ — Lead Guitar
AJ first discovered his love and fascination for music very early in life. His earliest and fondest memories were spent at live shows with his father Dave Joseph, who played drums in the Willie Phoenix band for years.
From afar he noticed and admired the sense of community and self expression live music fostered. These experiences stuck with him and inspired him to seek out a large array of genres and styles from different cultures.
He started playing guitar at 7 and moved on to violin, playing in his school’s orchestra. It was at this time he realized he had a natural talent and curiosity for stringed instruments. He gravitated to the versatility of sounds and techniques one can build on the strings.
At 18 he started working as a guitarist for the Shadowbox Live House Band, playing from 2016-2022.
At 22 he ventured out musically, creating experimental music using virtual software, he was able to grow as a composer, musician, and producer. To this day Jonny hungers to learn any and everything he can about sound as a whole, and become a well rounded musician.
Our band is privileged to have the Legndary Willie Phoenix, song writer, lead guitarist, lead singer, and producer for over 50 years as our producer. Willie has a star-studded history and is the lead of his own band, Willie Phoenix and the Soul Underground. Check out his website for his calendar of gigs, merchandise, photo gallery and bio www.williephoenix.com
Willie Phoenix — Producer
