CJ Hyde grew up in the foothills of Northern California. Her passion for music began at an early age… from piano lessons at 7, to dancing to the Monkees soon after (she pretended to be a go-go dancer in her white boots). Then in 4th grade her grandmother “Nana” gave her a ukulele, which gave way to her first guitar the following year. She basically self-taught herself on the guitar! Her early influences were the Beatles, then James Taylor and Carly Simon’s songwriting styles. Later, she picked the piano back up, by memorizing Joni Mitchell tunes. She lead worship for her youth group at church, and then while at Pepperdine University she was given the opportunity to play in many talent and “Coffeehouse” shows, including opening for veteran Christian artists Bob Bennet and Randy Stonehill, as well as Sally Struthers who spoke for the “Save the Children Foundation”. CJ has been on many worship teams, including Hope Chapel in Waikiki, HI and Grace Chapel in Scottsdale, AZ. She served as the full-time worship leader for Calvary Chapel in Tempe, Arizona for numerous years, where she also functioned as the Outreach Director and Concert Director. She has also played concerts for the Phoenix Rescue Mission and continues to do concerts for Life Changing Prison ministries at various prisons around the Phoenix area in an ongoing basis. She has had the opportunity to sing the national anthem for 43,000 Diamondback’s baseball fans at a home game and has been invited back to sing for the Scottsdale National Day of Prayer for the past 5 years. CJ has expanded from solo work to a few band ventures. Her first band, Aparche, was privileged to open for veteran artists David Meece and Randy Stonehill. They independently produced a CD project titled “First Fruits”. Her second band, Work In Progress has played at various local coffee shops and concerts in the Phoenix area. Her latest endeavor is supported by Rod Reasner and Bruce Menchen who make up the core of her new band, simply titled CJ Hyde. Rod and Bruce have been members of various metal rock bands together; from D.T.S. and Final Axe and more. Rod had played in CJ’s Aparche and A Work in Progress, which is conection that put these three different musicians together. Bruce and Rod bring a wealth of musical insight and technical skill, adding a definite “rock edge” to her songs.

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