ERNIE CLARK & THE MAGNIFICENT BASTARDS
Ernie Clark & the Magnificent Bastards began as an idea during a rock ‘n’ roll session atLeelanau Sands Casino in January, 2017. That’s when Ernie looked at his wife and said, “I’d liketo give it one more shot.” Having played in bands since he was 16, to that point Ernie Clarkhadn’t played more than an open mic or a song at church in almost a decade. Two weeks later,after much contemplation, he placed an ad on Craigslist and the adventure began. Ernie met witha couple of drummers and a couple of bass players telling them about his idea to mesh countrywith punk and gospel and rockabilly and blues. Some scoffed but some got it. A core three-piecerhythm section came together by the end of 2017 and as a group they auditioned and tried to findthe right guitar player. The line-up of Ernie Clark (vox/rhythm guitar), Brett Booher (bass),Derek Tiller (lead guitar) and Billy Hirt (drums) released their first independent record, FamilyAlbum, was released January 17, 2020.