The Clear Cut Website

>May 99 Dianne Davies - Morecambe -Lancs.
Away from my usual Yorkshire territory, I was spending a weekend on the Cumbria/Lancs. border so visited this Club. I was rather dismayed Clear Cut did their best to perform to a small and somewhat inattentive audience – there was little applause and a great deal of talking during the sets, and I felt that Clear Cut deserved better order.
Most of their material consisted of line dance classics which went down well and the dancers seemed to be enjoying themselves. As I have said before, I prefer to hear Don singing ballads, but I am a bit of a softie, and “Island” and “Don't close your eyes” stood out for me. Don's voice is big and mellow but also heartfelt, and he does a lovely version of “Crazy” a la Willie Nelson – it's a shame many of the audience preferred to yak all the way through it, and I felt as if someone might throw me a fish when our table clapped! Darren's keyboard and squeezebox work are really excellent so they do not have to rely heavily on backing tracks to obtain a very full sound – they both work very hard on stage.
Incidentally, I discovered later that at least one other person in the audience was paying attention, as she wrote to Don and Darren to say that she had gone out that night for the first time in six months because she had been having a rough time of late – she said it was a great night and they had helped her to come out of her shell, as it were. So that's nice, hopefully it made the whole thing worthwhile for them.

Sidney Carne – North East
Another band to return to the Gunfighters was Clear Cut, some members having formerly been with Sundown. They put on a good show. They're off to France in June to attend a festival.

Roger Wild -Yorkshire
Although we didn't see Clear Cut due to other commitments, we were told they were very good giving a great performance and keeping the audience happy. Thanks to Don and Daz for replacing the Jon J Paul Band, which has now sadly disbanded.

Enid Thompson – Cumbria
Clear Cut, a musically talented duo from Leeds gave a good account of themselves, fronted by Don Allan on favourable lead vocals and guitar, apply assisted by son Darren Anthony, harmony vocals, piano, keyboards, piano accordion and rhythm guitar. They performed three first class sets with a content of good solid country music. Darren Anthony, the wizard of the keyboards, brought hush to the room for a full five minutes with a tender solo instrumental “ I will always love you” which was greatly appreciated by the audience. Clear Cut well deserves the ovation they received. I have their current C.D 'Clear Cut – Hidden Talent'; it's well worth listening to. Well Done Lads!!

North East Club land Guide – July 2001
We stay in Yorkshire with the next act we feature; they are the Leeds based duo Clear Cut. A Father & Son act, they have rapidly made a very big name for themselves all over the British Isles, their reputation has soared over the last year & are acknowledged as one of the finest country music duos these days. With Don Allan (father) on lead vocals & guitar, who has been around the country scene for a lot of years now with top bands & is a very good vocalist and good guitarist. Son Darren Anthony on Keyboards, Guitar, Accordion, Vocals & Harmonies, is a adept musician & fine vocals, they have excellent harmonies, with a very good sound & can adapt to suite any audience, be they line dancers or listeners with both up to date material & also a good choice of the old classic country, whatever you prefer. For another good night out get along to their gigs around the area this month, you will enjoy their show.
Don Peirse.

Southern Country – July 2001
What better than the duo we raved about last month CLEAR CUT from Leeds, sticking to good traditional country. This Father and Son outfit gave their all and enjoyed it as much as we in the audience and dancers alike! The use of a squeezebox gives a new dimension to songs like “Neon Moon” but for us the highlight has to be the solo version of the theme from “The Bodyguard”, it kept us all transfixed with eyes on the stage! This was a five star evening's entertainment.
Ralph & Jackie – Wagon Wheel CMC, Cheam.

Southern Country Magazine March 2002

CLEAR CUT
Leeds based duo Clear Cut would like to thank everyone who supported their Charity concert on 22nd January. The Charity event was in aid of the Macmillan Cancer Relief and was held at Maguires, Regent Street , Leeds and raised a staggering £300.00.
Many country music artistes donated their time to turn up and perform their trade. Artistes included Chris Raddings, new band Texas Knights, Hank Rodgers, Cody And Sam, Tim (Squirrel Tooth Alice), Easy Street and many more. Thank you all again for your time.
Darren n Don

SHARPSHOOTERS - SUSSEX
This was our first club night for the new year and our year got off to a great start. Our entertainment tonight was a duo from Leeds, the father and son team CLEAR CUT. A great night was had by all, right to the end when Darren played his solo version of the Dolly Parton hit "I Will Always Love You". There was complete silence throughout. Even though Don had a rather heavy cold, they did play an extra song when asked.
Also at each set the third man walked around and asked if it was too load. When someone said it was he duly had things turned down, for which we all thank them. Looking forward to a successful year.
Sundial - Southern Country Magazine March 2002

ORIGINAL MAINLINE – SUSSEX
For our anniversary dance Jan 12^th we invited CLEAR CUT to entertain us. Don and Darren gave us a really good evening of country music. The dance floor was in full use all evening with many dance classics. Darren's solo music “I Will Always Love You” was well received, a very talented young man!
Avril & Percy – Southern Country March 2002

MAPLELEAF CMC – NORTHANTS
Easter week-end we knew that a group of regulars where going to a festival. Expecting the turn out to be low, how wrong could we have been. CLEAR CUT was booked that night. A group of members always arrive early to chat to them, which we like to do to all who arrive to entertain us, Making them welcome, after all a great number do travel long distances.
To the group who travelled from Whitby to see Clear Cut a big thank you. I must admit that I do count how many we have come through the door. Do we have enough to meet the costs etc. Barry and Lynda had quite a few old friends of my husband and mine turn up to enjoy the evening. We all enjoyed a great evening with Clear Cut with three excellent sets of Country Music. The highlight for us was young Darren's solo “I Will Always Love You”. To see a room full of people sitting and listening as he played so beautifully on Keyboard, we all found moving and such a talented young man who we are lucky he chose country.
We did have another unexpected visitor, Nadine Sommers, Gavin and baby Sky. With a lot of encouragement Nadine sung with Don which was an additional bonus. To Clear Cut and everyone who attended on behalf of Barry and Lynda a big thank you.
Christine Batchelor – Southern Country Magazine - June 2002

BEST OF BRITISH – KENT
April 6th saw CLEAR CUT, one of my favourite duo's, combining Don's vocal talents with young Darren's brilliant piano accordion and piano keyboard playing. I Particularly like Clear Cut's use of unobtrusive backing tracks, often only percussion, which allows us to hear their own skills live
Mike H – Southern Country Magazine - June 2002

ANDOVER REBELS – HANTS
27th April. A week later than our normal club night due to a double booking hiccup by the hall management, a duo that are becoming more and more well known on the country music scene, Don and Darren a.k.a CLEAR CUT from the Leeds area came to give us an evening of very enjoyable music. Several of our long term fans remembered them from their days with that very popular band Sundown, so knew that the quality of singing and playing would be of very high standard.
Of course the programme was just to our taste, with songs ranging from “Mercury Blues” to “Neon Moon” and “Dance The Night Away” to “Copperhead Road”. Towards the end of the third session they treated us to a sing-along with songs such as Buddy Holly's “Guess It Doesn't Matter Anymore” and “Lovesick Blues” etc. Super entertainment from this talented and likeable duo.
Once again the evening finished all too soon, but probably the best part was saved till last when a very moving and spectacular Trilogy was performed by the Confederates and sabres, and the ladies kneeling plus beautifully sung a played by Clear Cut. What a super finish to another successful evening at Enham.
Maurice - Southern Country Magazine - June 2002

AROUND THE NORTH EAST CLUBLAND COUNTRY SCENE
Next we feature another Yorkshire act CLEAR CUT from Leeds area a Father and son outfit, they have certainly made a truly big name for themselves very quickly. With Don Allan on guitar and lead vocals, a very fine vocalist and a really good guitarist, who has been with a few bands (I would say that the main band they were in was Sundown) a band who made a very big name for themselves before they split up). Over the many years that I have known him, Don has always been a very friendly guy and gets on well with all the fans, and Darren Anthony on Keyboard, accordion, Guitar vocals a very talented artist indeed. They get excellent reports in the country music magazines wherever they are performing across the length and breadth of the British Isles. They feature both new country and classic old country material to suite all tastes in country music. I must say CLEAR CUT are one of the few acts that bother to send me lists of their gigs for the gig guide, Thanks Mates.
June 2002 with Don Peirse

NORFOLK COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL
Down from Leeds came Clear Cut the father and son duo with Don on Guitar and lead Vocals and the young talented Darren on keyboards, mandolin, accordion and harmony vocals. Their first offering included a good Gary Allan song, Bourbon Border Line.
Colin H. Blanchard – Southern Country Sept 2002

LITTLE WILLY'S – ESSEX
Its good to have new acts to the area and on the16th a duo from Leeds made their debut at here. This father and son act I had once seen before and was very impressed. Tonight Don & Darren, CLEAR CUT, proved that first feeling right. The club loved them, after just one set we were asked had we booked them back. Two very different lead vocals, but both excellent in their own style, with Don's many years in the business shining through. Darren's musicianship is something else. Keyboard, piano accordion, guitar, mandolin, all played superbly. The club members have had a busy month so far with so many great CD's on sale here, from the acts appearing and tonight was no different and yes Clear Cut will be back.
Avril – Southern Country Sept 2002

NEW EARLSMEAD – MIDDLSEX
On the 21st of the month duo from Leeds, came along and demonstrated their talent and showed a touch of class in their repertoire which was most interesting. With their tight sound and their modern style of material, they performed an enormous amount of songs and produced a programme that was fresh and tasteful to all.
W.Bland - Southern Country 2002

SUZY MARTELL & Clear Cut
HAVING recently returned from a successful American tour promoting her Nashville recorded and produced album Broken Hearts In Nashville, Suzy Martell headlined an evening of country music at the Grand Opera House in her historic and beautiful city of York.
Her support act were the Leeds-based father and son duo Clear Cut so it was an all-Yorkshire affair. The duo came on stage unannounced and gave an excellent performance covering some older songs mixed with more modern material.
Smartly dressed in matching shirts and black trousers, Don Allan on electric and acoustic guitars took all the lead vocals, whilst his son, the multi-talented instrumentalist Darren, helped out with harmony vocals. Don has a beautiful rich country voice and sang a mixture of lively songs and slower ballads and the audience really warmed to them and Don's humour.
Having already shown his versatility on keyboards and accordion, Darren played mandolin at the start of “Copperhead Road” but as the tempo increased he had no time to remove the instrument as the changed to play keyboards for the fast-paced song's conclusion—which had the audience spontaneously clapping along and cheering.
Don also performed the lovely slow songs “Island” and “Don't Close Your Eyes” in complete contrast. Their finale started as a keyboard solo from Darren alone on stage and illuminated only by an overhead spotlight. The song was an instrumental version of “I Will Always Love You” and Don joined him halfway through on acoustic—finally the duo thanked the audience and said their goodbyes whilst still playing. A great end and a much appreciated performance.
After the interval Suzy joined her four-piece band. She was dressed in a lovely powder blue trouser suit which turned out to be more modern than her repertoire—old, well-known country material that seemed in keeping with the Victorian theatre.
She seemed at ease with the older songs and sang them well. These included “Rose Garden”, “What I've Got In Mind” and “Coalminer's Daughter” before changing to tracks from her album starting with the western swing “Broken Hearts In Nashville”.
It was a pleasure to see a full band of drums, bass, steel guitar and lead behind her for the evening—reviving memories of how country music used to be presented and adding depth of sound to augment the vocals and centred around lead breaks from the lovely pedal steel.
Suzy's exceptional resilience in overcoming all her health problems is well known and her successful comeback after suffering throat cancer is a near miracle in itself. However, on this evening, I felt her vocals sounded strained but put this down to the exceptional amount of media interviews given to ensure the evening's success.
She was exceptionally lively and buoyant on stage and summed it was with “I Feel Lucky” which got the audience clapping along.
Then it was back to old Patsy Cline and Kitty Wells standards before “Islands In The Stream” and another song from her album “Red Dirt Roads”. She finally closed with “Desperado” which had the steelie swapping to fiddle but before she got there found time for more Tammy Wynette, Billie Jo Spears and Crystal Gayle.
After the applause that followed, and a change of shirts, she brought Clear Cut back to join her for a three-song finale of well-worn material with audience participation. It concluded an evening that certainly did nothing for devotees of modern country music. By JOHN KEIR
Country Revival – Essex
We had two guitars on stage, but keyboards and accordion too, courtesy of the younger generation when father-and-son duo CLEAR CUT brought the month to a close. Choosing material mainly from a decade or more age, they gave us their interpretation of a string of popular numbers. I liked Don's “ Aways Get Lucky With You” and young Darren's instrumental expertise came to fore on 'Driving My Like Away” Geordie – Southen Country Nov 2002
CROWBOROUGH CMC – Sussex
CLEAR CUT were our entertainment on Sat 7th Sept, father and son duo Don and Darren with Don's country voice and Darren's harmonies and musicianship playing keyboard and accordion, they catered for line dancers and western dancers and were also a good sound to just sit and listen to.
They did covers of songs from the likes of George Strait, from the likes of Gary Allan, Alan Jackson and Roy Orbison and many more. Thank you to everyone that came and supported us, and thanks to Clear Cut.
Val – Southern Country Nov 2002

Hemnal Street – Essex
Nov 3nd was a packed house for Percy, for father and Son Duo, CLEAR CUT from Leeds, Don and Darren. This duo got the crowd dancing from the word go and the combination of Don's vocals and Darren's selection of instruments went down well. Darren plays Keyboards, Accordion, Guitar and is now playing Mandolin, all of which have been self taught, which is a great achievement in itself. There material was of a good variety, “Copperhead Road” (Steve Earle), “The Love Bug”, and “Billy Be Bad” (George Jones) “Queen Of Memphis” (Confederate Railroad), “Reggae Cowboy” (The Bellamy Brothers), and “Guitars and Cadillac's” (Dwight Yoakam).
To end this enjoyable evening, Darren played an instrumental of “I Will Always Love You” (Dolly Parton) on Keyboards and as an encore to send us home, The lively numbers “Swing City Jive”.
Cherry - Southern Country Magazine January 2003

Westwater CMC – Essex.
Wednesday 13th November, saw the welcome return of popular and well known 'Father and Son Duo', CLEAR CUT to entertain us, this evening. The Leeds – Based duo, who have rapidly made a very big name for themselves all over the British Isle's over the passed year, gave everyone at the Martello Camp, a great evening. With Don Allan (Father) on lead vocals and guitar, and son Darren Anthony on Keyboards, Guitar, Accordion, Vocals and harmonies, they gave us a great variety of material, including a good choice of the old classic country, which suited both dancers and listeners alike.
A few favourite's included “One Step Forward”, “Island”, “Black Coffee”, “Neon Moon”, “Billy Be Bad”, “Red Hot Salsa”, “Smokey Place's”, “Old Flames”, and a beautiful instrumental of Dolly Parton's “I Will Always Love You” which was played by young Darren on the Keyboard. After which, came a tremendous applause and shouts for an encore, so to round of the end to a enjoyable evening.
Claire – Southern Country Magazine January 2003

Wagon Wheel Cmc – Surrey
13th December. For our last gig of the year once again CLEAR CUT, Don and son Darren entertained us in their usual professional way with song such as “Copperhead Road” and “Don't Close Your Eyes” sung superbly by Don.
The atmosphere was great with plenty of Christmas spirit and lots of dancing. The evening finished with Darren playing “I Will Always Love You” on keyboards, which pulls at the heartstrings every time he plays it.
Maureen – Southern Country Magazine February 2003