Most bands hit their prime early. They ride into fame for a glorious few months on the waves of a one hit wonder. Everyone hums it as they go to work and radio stations play it far too often, but soon the song becomes nothing but an obscure question in a trivia board game.

Well, a persistently successful bluegrass rock band from Stillwater, Oklahoma believes that it defies this common cultural phenomenon.

Fifteen years ago, Cross Canadian Ragweed (CCR) released its first album, and this year the band celebrates the release of its 10th album, “Happiness and All The Other Things,” as well as over 1 million records sold during its career.

“I know every band says this, but I really think this is our best album yet,” guitarist Grady Cross said. “We finally had the time and pressure-free environment we needed, and we worked really hard and just got it right.”

The band traveled to California for a month where they were able to focus on nothing but music. Since the members write nearly all of their songs from scratch while in the recording studio, this was a much needed musical immersion.

“California has a really laid-back vibe, and nobody really knows us there,” he said. “We always go there to record because it’s the best place to get away from all the distractions and stresses of normal life.”

Although CCR always strives to maintain it’s rock ‘n’ roll sound with a country twang, the sound of “Happiness and All The Other Things” differs with the addition of a piano, an organ and a steel guitar. The songs are also more harmony-based that those of previous albums.

“I feel like we’ve always stayed true to what we first sounded like, but our fans might tell you something different, and they’re the ones who really know what they’re talking about,” Cross said. “They’ve got the outside perspective.”

Like most successful musicians, Cross attributes the band’s success over the past 15 years to the loyalty of its fans. The band members have known each other since grade school, and many of their fans have stuck with them since then as well.

However, having such a close-knit and long-standing support group acts as a sort of double-edged sword. While loyal fans have been the biggest asset to CCR’s career, Cross notes being away from close friends and family has also been the most difficult aspect of the past 15 years.

“We all have families, and it’s really tough being away from kiddos while we’re on the road,” he said.

Despite sacrifices, like time spent with family, that the band has made over the years, the members have no plans to stop touring in the near future.

As age catches up with them, each musician looks at it as an added challenge in making better music that they ever have before.

“Other than getting older, everything else about the band and the music has pretty much stayed the same,” Cross said. “We plan to stay true to what’s gotten us this far and keep touring, keep doing this ’til we die.”