Canadian country-rock artist Cory Marks recently shared his admiration for Ozzy Osbourne’s 2007 album Black Rain, highlighting the influence of renowned Canadian producer Kevin Churko on the record. During an interview, Marks recalled discussing with his father how remarkable it was that Churko, a fellow Canadian, had played a key role in shaping the sound of one of Osbourne’s albums. The conversation sparked a thought: if a country artist could collaborate with a producer best known for his work in metal and hard rock, what kind of music could emerge from such a fusion?
Churko, a multi-award-winning producer, engineer, and songwriter, has built a reputation for working with some of the biggest names in rock and metal, including Five Finger Death Punch, Papa Roach, and Disturbed. His work on Black Rain helped modernize Osbourne’s sound while maintaining the Prince of Darkness’s signature grit and intensity. The album featured tracks like I Don’t Wanna Stop and Not Going Away, showcasing a polished yet heavy production style that resonated with both longtime fans and a new generation of listeners.
For Marks, Black Rain is an example of how genre boundaries can be blurred with the right producer at the helm. His own music blends rock and country influences, and he’s worked with Churko himself, proving that the crossover potential he once imagined has become a reality. This reflection on Black Rain underscores how innovative production choices and unexpected collaborations continue to shape modern music, keeping artists relevant across different audiences.
