CORNELL HURD BAND Honky-Tonk; Swing Berkeley, California; Austin, Texas; 1977 - Cornell Hurd fronts the large Austin, TX, music collective known as the Cornell Hurd Band, which operates like a revue and offers a rousing, highly proficient blend of trad country, swing, and rockabilly. The group has played a longtime, weekly gig in south Austin and rarely (if ever) tours. Hurd writes humorous, often biting country tunes with titles such as "It Wouldn't Be Hell Without You" and "Your Ex-Husband Sent Me Flowers ('Cause He Feels Sorry for Me)" and shares lead vocal duties with bandmembers such as Justin Trevino and Blackie White. David Cornell Hurd was born in California in 1952. In 1972, he earned a sociology degree from Berkeley, a college he had chosen in part because he wanted to be closer to Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen (a group whose revival of Western swing and honky tonk would have a profound influence on Hurd). Hurd played in bands throughout the '70s and early '80s, his group often opening for Commander Cody and for the similarly minded Asleep at the Wheel. In the mid-'80s, he hit a rough patch riddled with marital problems and drug and alcohol abuse. His house was foreclosed and in 1986, he moved to St. Petersburg, FL. In 1988, he ran into old friend and bandmate Frank Roeber and the Cornell Hurd Band, which moved to Austin shortly thereafter, was rekindled. The group started out as a five-piece, but soon grew far beyond that size. The Cornell Hurd Band has released numerous albums, including 2001's A Stagecoach Named Desire and 2002's Song of South Austin. Current Lineup: Cornell Hurd (Vocals, Rhythm Guitar); Paul Skelton (Lead Guitar, most other Guitar); Cody Nicolas (Piano, Vocals); Danny Roy Young (Rubboard); Karen Biller (Drums, Vocals); Vanessa Gordon (Fiddle); Blackie White (Rhythm Guitar, Vocals); Herb Steiner (Steel Guitar); Mark Pollard (Bass, Vocals)