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Cross Canadian Ragweed goes by CCR for short. When most people think of the moniker CCR, they think of Creedence Clearwater Revival, who sang hits like “Up Around the Bend” and “Bad Moon Rising” in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. Cross Canadian Ragweed, however, has nothing to do with them.

But you may hear the spirit of Creedence in the band’s music.

Cross Canadian Ragweed combines aspects of rock, country and folk music. Drummer Randy Ragsdale says that the band’s influences are an eclectic mix.

“It’s all over the place, really. I’d say anywhere from Merle Haggard to Iron Maiden,” Ragsdale laughs.

CCR will bring its blend of Southern rock and country to Kansas City on July 12 when the play a show at Grinders at 8 p.m. The band, who came out of Oklahoma, likes playing in Kansas City.

“We always got a lot of fans there,” Ragsdale says. “We like playing there. It’s centrally based.”

The group has been on the road, for the most part, since the release of its most recent album, “Mission California,” in October 2007. The album featured the hit “Cry Lonely,” which had background vocals from Le Ann Womack. The album reached #6 on the Billboard U.S. country chart and was considered a success.

But success didn’t drive the band to make “Mission California,” it was their experiences. Cody Canada, the band’s lead singer who wrote most of the songs for the album, has been quoted as saying it was “the most personal album we’ve ever recorded.” Ragsdale couldn’t agree more.

“It was especially personal on (Cody’s) part. I’d be sitting there thinking, ‘Man, what did he write that about?’” Ragsdale says. “That was really the first full-on album that he wrote.”

The success and satisfaction CCR got from recording “Mission California” leads many to believe they will be in the studio again. According to Ragsdale, it may be sooner than later.

“I’d be surprised if we didn’t get in (the studio) soon. Definitely, by the end of the year,” he admits.

For now, CCR fans will have to wait, but the show at Grinders might hold them over. Tickets for the show are $22. Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit and William Elliot Whitmore will open the show. For more information, visit www.crossroadskc.com.