A new musical act came to the Columbia Crossing Restaurant and Good Times Tavern last weekend on Jan. 18.

DRIVE, a classic rock cover band from Windsor, played in Tyrrell County for the first time.

The band includes Susan Belch on Drums and Vocals, Ron Jenkins on Guitar and Lead Vocals, and David Hoggard on Bass and Vocals.

They are relatively new and have just started playing at venues around northeastern North Carolina like the Woodland Restaurant and Lounge in Woodland and the Chubbies Bar and Grill in Ahoskie.

“I had gone about twenty-five years not playing any music at all from a previous band.  I ran into Susan and she asked if I would be interested in playing bass with them. We started practicing together and for a three-piece band it is hard to have a full sound. After a few practices we have a few bookings and so here we are,” said Hoggard in an interview before the show.

Hoggard and Belch are from Windsor NC. while Jenkins is from Conway NC.

Hoggard said that his interest in music came from playing music as a kid.

“I started playing lead and rhythm guitar by playing records on my record player. That is how most people start. You get your influence by the records you have and what type of music you like,” he said.

ZZ Top, Led Zeppelin, Kinks, and Aerosmith are some of the bands that the DRIVE draws from for songs.

Hoggard said Lynrd Sknyrd is his personal favorite.

“I probably spent more time trying to play like them when I was younger. For me that is my favorite band,” said Hoggard.

Hoggard works for the state of North Carolina.

“The band is just for fun,” he said.