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Andy Clarke was born in Ottawa and began his musical career at the age of seven, playing guitar for dances with his mother and father. At age 15, he was hired to play rhythm guitar with the Kennedy Family, and he followed that gig with a job playing bass, for the first time, with the Frank Kelly Show. When that association ended, Andy freelanced for a few years, working with such artists as Graham Townsend, Johnny Mooring, Bruce Murray, Dave Dennison, Joe Pino and Bob King.
In 1976, he joined Howard Hayes and The Country Drifters, where he remained until 1982, when he and Rick Thompson formed a duo, which became a four-piece band that toured across Canada for the next ten years. Returning to Ottawa, Andy performed with The Nashville Palace All Star Band for five years. In more recent years, Andy is again working with Howard Hayes and The Country Drifters, on TV, radio and recording sessions.
During his career, Andy has performed with many luminaries in the country music industry: George Hamilton IV, Hal Willis, Charlie Walker, Dallas Harms, Eddie Eastman, Johnny Burke, Harold MacIntyre, Wayne Rostad and Larry Mercey.
Andy has also been a valued member of the behind-the-scenes crew for the Hall of Fame Awards Shows for many years.
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