Clark Reid set country music on it's ass in New Zealand's South Island in 1999 with the release of his first album "Give My Regards To Nashville". Five singles off the album made the top ten of 88CountryFm's listener voted weekly countdown and the unique remake of "Country Roads" went to #1 and was voted to be the first country song played on commercial radio anywhere in the world for the new millennium. The album was nominated for APRA Country ALbum of the Year and "Hank'd Be SMiling Here Tonight" gained second place in the MLT New Zealand Country Music Songwriting Awards. The album and Clark recieved nominations for "Album of the Year" and "Male Vocalist of the Year" from the Nashville Based Online Country Music Awards. Clark took his "Country Superband" on the road to bars, clubs, rodeo's and festivals, the results were spectacular but the resulting gig schedule proved grueling and Clark bowed out of music for a while... however.... Good mate and fellow Honky Tonker Trevor V. Stevens wouldn't accept Clark staying out of the spotlight and invited him to perform with him at the 2008 Hokianga Country Music Festival and so the the journey continues..., Clark is now back and, as always, kicking ass and taking no prisoners. Use the links at left to find out more about this exciting "breath of fresh air" for New Zealand Country Music and to keep pace with the career of the
"Downunder Outlaw".

Clark Reid was born in the South Island of New Zealand but raised on a Horse Stud in the Waikato region of the North Island. Country from day one it runs through everything he does. His passion is for what he describes as "Hard Core Honky Tonk" and cites a wide range of musical influences from Merle Haggard, Hank Williams, George Jones, Lefty Frizell through to Outlaws, David Allen Coe, Willie, Johnny, Waylon, Jerry Jeff Walker and more... Modern influences include Garth, Allan, Tracy Bryrd, Lee Kernaghan, Ritchie Pickett, The Coalrangers, John Grenell, Bill Chambers and a general love of music ranging from traditional to Bluegrass to modern country, country and Blues rock. Clark is fanatical about the music of Hank Williams Jnr.

Starting his music career late, in his early thirties Clark's first band was "Thunderbolt" which took South Island mainstream venues by storm with it's eclectic mix of hard rock, country, country rock, southern rock and even reggae. During this time Clark competed in Country Music Awards as a soloist and gained recognition as "Kiwi Country Music Awards" Male Vocalist of the Year, Songwriter of the year and "South Island Country Music Awards" Songwriter of the year.But it was with the launch of his album in 1999 that things really took off. Clark put together the "Country Superband" and toured the South hosting the legendary Country Nights at Bailey's 818 nightclub and playing rodeo's, wine and food festivals, clubs, pubs and anywhere that would listen... the following grew. Clark and the Country Superband were even invited to play the renowned (tough) musicians venue "The Southern Blues Bar" on several occasions where they rocked the house into the wee small hours and were joined on stage by South Island music legends Greg Mooney and John Lloyd. During this time Clark and The Country Superband were playing in excess of 170 gigs a year the record being three in one day and eight within a week... without question New Zealand's busiest country act!

The playing of "Country Roads" as the first song in the new millennium on country radio got press internationally with Country Music Live magazine, based in Nashville, featuring a piece on this event.

But the schedule got grueling and with the New Zealand scene being a small one the task of heading up five people on the road playing several nights a week, often two or more shows a day became too much. Clark has always had a major love/obsession with the outdoors as a hunter and fly fisherman and it was to these pursuits he returned as a fly fishing guide, Pheasant hunting guide and gundog trainer in the Central North Island. Until out of the blue Trevor V. Stevens the well known Northern honky tonker invited Clark to play the Hokianga Country Music festival. The two "clicked" immediately and Clark was back with his enthusiasm for presenting modern, current kick-ass country music to anyone who will listen.

With great respect for the past, and some would say a penchant for playing it, Clark firmly believes New Zealand has to embrace and promote modern country to modern audiences if the style is not to be lost here. Too many are focused on older music, as great as it is, but we must accept the world moves forward and each generation is less interested in the music of the past.

Clark appeared at the 2002 Norfolk Island Country Music Festival as a guest artist and has, over the years shared the stage with many well known artists...

Bill Chambers, Ritchie Pickett, Glenn Moffatt, Trevor V. Stevens, The Coalrangers, Remedy, The Electric Cowboys, Jodie Vaughan, Carter and Carter, Al Hunter, Phil Doublet, Brendan Dugan, Rob Galley, Chet O'Connell, Marion Burns, Kevin Greaves, Barry Croft, Toni Williams, Brian Ringrose, Greg Mooney, John Lloyd, Brian Harley, Chet O'Connell, Paddy Long, James Ray, Catherine Britt, Jim Haynes, Eddie Low, Noel Parlane, Jodi Vaughan, Kevin Greaves, Keith Glass, Mick Hamilton, Suzanne Prentice, Brian Harley, John Grenell, Suzanne Lynch, and Ray Columbus, and has spent a lot of time fishing with and jamming with his most famous mate... Billy Connolly.