Gene Watson’s Peers within the country music industry believe in the sheer talent of this unassuming man from east Texas, so much so that Gene is regarded by many of them as ‘the singer’s singer’ – and rightly so!
All of Gene Watson’s Peers, who were contacted by The Gene Watson Fan Site, during 2004, were most gracious with their time and words.
It is here, within this special part of The Gene Watson Fan Site, that you have an opportunity to read a quote from Herb Pedersen, which he submitted to this site on Sunday 8 October 2004.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Herb Pedersen who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Herb Pedersen
This quote was submitted on Sunday 10 October 2004
‘Gene Watson represents everything good about country music artistry, and he doesn’t have to strut around about it either’
Thank you, Herb Pedersen, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Herb Pedersen…
Herb Pedersen began his career in Berkeley, California in the early 1960s playing 5-string banjo and acoustic guitar with people like David Grisman, Butch Waller, David Nelson and Jerry Garcia.
Down through the years, Herb Pedersen has done well in adding his talents to the recordings of many folk and country music artists.
The Seldom Scene recorded Herb Pedersen’s ‘Wait A Minute’ and included the track on ‘Old Train’ (Rebel Records, 1974).
The Seldom Scene recorded Herb Pedersen’s ‘Old Train’ and included the track on ‘Old Train’ (Rebel Records, 1974).
On Monday 29 December 1975, Emmylou Harris saw the release of ‘Elite Hotel’ (Reprise Records, 1975); the following tracks featured various contributions from Herb Pedersen:
‘Amarillo’ (written by Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell) / this track featured Herb Pedersen on banjo, and Linda Ronstadt and Herb Pedersen on supporting vocals
‘Feelin’ Single, Seein’ Double’, which was written by Wayne Kemp (Sunday 1 June 1941 – Monday 9 March 2015) / this track featured Herb Pedersen on banjo, and Bernie Leadon and Herb Pedersen on supporting vocals
‘Sin City’, which was written by Gram Parsons (Tuesday 5 November 1946 – Wednesday 19 September 1973) and Chris Hillman / this track featured John Starling (Tuesday 26 March 1940 – Thursday 2 May 2019) and Herb Pedersen on supporting vocals
‘One of These Days’ (written by Earl Montgomery) / this track featured Jonathan Edwards and Herb Pedersen on supporting vocals
‘Here, There & Everywhere’, which was written by John Lennon (Wednesday 9 October 1940 – Monday 8 December 1980) and Paul McCartney / this track featured Herb Pedersen and Brian Ahern on acoustic guitar
‘Sweet Dreams’, which was written by Don Gibson (Tuesday 3 April 1928 – Monday 17 November 2003) (No.1 for two weeks in December 1976 / January 1977) / this track featured Rodney Crowell and Herb Pedersen on supporting vocals
‘Jambalaya’, which was written by Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953) / this track featured Herb Pedersen and Fayssoux Starling McLean on supporting vocals
‘Wheels’, which was written by Chris Hillman and Gram Parsons (Tuesday 5 November 1946 – Wednesday 19 September 1973) / this track featured Jonathan Edwards and Herb Pedersen on supporting vocals
The Seldom Scene recorded Herb Pedersen’s ‘Easy Ride From Good Times To The Blues’ and included the track on ‘The New Seldom Scene Album’ (Rebel Records, 1976).
Michelle & Jason Hannan, featuring Howard Parker, recorded Herb Pedersen’s ‘Wait A Minute’ and included the track on ‘Out There In The Dark’ (Waiting For Lester Records, 2022).
Tony Rice (Friday 8 June 1951 – Friday 25 December 2020) recorded Herb Pedersen’s ‘Old Train’ and included the track on ‘Manzanita’ (Rounder Records, 1979), an album which was credited to The Tony Rice Unit.
Tom Wopat recorded Herb Pedersen’s ‘The Luckiest Man In The World’ (co-written with R. Voudouris) and included the track on ‘Tom Wopat’ (Columbia Records, 1983).
Herb Pedersen has lived in southern California for most of his life and has participated in select music groups, either in recording, or travelling on the road doing concerts.
Herb Pedersen’s recording discography is like a who’s who of the singer / songwriter scene, so prevalent in the 1970s and 1980s.
Herb Pedersen’s own groups, such as The Desert Rose Band (with Chris Hillman and John Jorgenson) and The Laurel Canyon Ramblers, show why Herb Pedersen is so respected in the industry.
By the beginning of the 1980s, Herb Pedersen returned to his roots in bluegrass and country music. Herb Pedersen recorded two critically acclaimed acoustic and steel flavoured recordings and, in doing so, was reunited with his long-time folk and bluegrass pal, Chris Hillman.
Herb Pedersen and Chris Hillman literally grew up in music, having become close friends in their late teens. Chris Hillman also found a song-writing partner and good friend in Steve Hill. The stage was set for the next evolution in the career of Herb Pedersen and Chris Hillman – the incomparable Desert Rose Band.
The genesis of The Desert Rose Band began when both Herb Pedersen and Chris Hillman were asked by fellow country rock aficionado and Manassas fan Dan Fogelberg (Monday 13 August 1951 – Sunday 16 December 2007) to record with him in the studio and accompany him on his ‘High Country Snows’ tour in 1985.
Dan Fogelberg’s ‘High Country Snows’ (Full Moon Records / Epic Records, 1985) included the following tracks:
‘Down The Road’, which was written by Lester Flatt (Friday 19 June 1914 – Friday 11 May 1979) and Earl Scruggs (Sunday 6 January 1924 – Wednesday 28 March 2012)
‘Mountain Pass’ (written by Dan Fogelberg)
‘Sutter’s Mill (written by Dan Fogelberg)
‘Wolf Creek (written by Dan Fogelberg)
‘High Country Snows (written by Dan Fogelberg)
‘The Outlaw’ (written by Jay Bolotin)
‘Shallow Rivers (written by Dan Fogelberg)
‘Go Down Easy’ (written by Jay Bolotin)
‘Wandering Shepherd (written by Dan Fogelberg)
‘Think of What You’ve Done’, which was written by Carter Stanley (Thursday 27 August 1925 – Thursday 1 December 1966)
‘The Higher You Climb’ (written by Dan Fogelberg)
Personnel involved in the recording of Dan Fogelberg’s ‘High Country Snows’ (Full Moon Records / Epic Records, 1985) included the following:
Dan Fogelberg (Monday 13 August 1951 – Sunday 16 December 2007) (synthesizer, acoustic guitar, guitar, piano, electric guitar, keyboard, vocals, handclapping)
Anita Ball, Dianne Davidson and Tracy Nelson (background vocals)
David Briggs (piano)
Jim Buchanan (fiddle, violin)
Jerry Douglas (Dobro, guitar, vocals)
Vince Gill (guitar, high tenor vocals)
Emory Gordy Jr. (bass)
David Grisman (mandolin, mandola)
Michael Hanna (synthesizer, keyboard)
Chris Hillman (mandolin, vocals)
Russ Kunkel (drums, tambourine, handclapping)
Charlie McCoy (harmonica)
Dan Murakami (handclapping)
Herb Pedersen (banjo, bass vocals, vocals, tenor vocals)
Al Perkins (pedal steel guitar, steel guitar)
Ricky Skaggs (violin, vocals, harmony vocals)
Doc Watson (Saturday 3 March 1923 – Tuesday 29 May 2012) (acoustic guitar, guitar)
Dan Fogelberg’s ‘High Country Snows’ (Full Moon Records / Epic Records, 1985) reached No.30 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1985.
When Herb Pedersen and Chris Hillman returned to Los Angeles, Chris Hillman enlisted Bill Bryson (Sunday 10 November 1946 – Sunday 30 April 2017) to play bass and multi-instrumentalist John Jorgenson on guitar.
Bill Bryson (Sunday 10 November 1946 – Sunday 30 April 2017) was a veteran of such great bands as The Bluegrass Cardinals and Country Gazette, while John Jorgenson had played the same Disneyland bluegrass circuit as a much younger Chris Hillman had done nearly twenty-five years earlier.
Content as an acoustic band, Herb Pedersen and Chris Hillman discovered how good they sounded ‘plugged in’ and brought on board steel guitarist Jay Dee Maness, a veteran of ‘The Sweetheart Sessions’, along with former Rick Nelson (Wednesday 8 May 1940 – Tuesday 31 December 1985) and Stone Canyon Band drummer Steve Duncan.
Between 1987 and the end of 1993, The Desert Rose Band recorded seven albums and scored a string of sixteen Billboard top country hit singles, the majority of them riding high in the Billboard Top 10 country music singles chart. The Desert Rose Band also garnered a number of awards from both the Academy of Country Music (ACM) and the Country Music Association (CMA).
Among these awards were the following:
Academy of Country Music
Touring Band of The Year: 1988, 1989 and 1990
Nominee, Best Vocal Group Award: 1989 and 1990
Country Music Association
Horizon Award: 1989
Vocal Group of The Year: 1990
Amidst those strong vocals, fine harmonies and excellent instrumentation were two things which made The Desert Rose Band so special. The songs themselves, which addressed current issues in our culture. Not only were the songs written by Chris Hillman and full of honesty and sometimes wit, they were also sung by a confident singer who not only had found his own voice after so many bands, but who sang with power, grace and conviction in what he had written.
On Tuesday 2 June 1987, The Desert Rose Band saw the release of their first studio album, ‘The Desert Rose Band’ (MCA Records / Curb Records, 1987), which included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Ashes of Love’, which was written by Jack Anglin (Saturday 13 May 1916 – Friday 8 March 1963), Jim Anglin and Johnnie Wright (Wednesday 13 May 1914 – Tuesday 27 September 2011) (No.26, 1987)
‘Love Reunited’ (written by Steve Hill and Chris Hillman) (No.6, 1987)
‘One Step Forward’ (written by Chris Hillman and Bill Wildes) (No.2, 1987)
‘He’s Back & I’m Blue’ (written by Robert Anderson and Michael Woody) (No.1 for one week in June / July 1988)
The Desert Rose Band’s first studio album, ‘The Desert Rose Band’ (MCA Records / Curb Records, 1987), also included the following tracks:
‘Leave This Town’ (written by Chris Hillman and Bill Wildes)
‘Time Between’ (written by Chris Hillman)
‘One That Got Away’ (written by Chris Hillman and Peter Knobler)
‘Once More’ (written by Dusty Owens)
‘Glass Hearts’ (written by Steve Hill and Chris Hillman)
‘Hard Times’ (written by Jon Brandford, Chris Hillman and Bill Wildes)
The Desert Rose Band’s first studio album, ‘The Desert Rose Band’ (MCA Records / Curb Records, 1987), reached No.24 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1987.
In 1987, Bobby Durham saw the release of his debut album, ‘Where I Grew Up’ (United States: Hightone Records, 1987 / England: Demon Records, 1987), which featured Augie Brown, Bobby Durham, David Morgan, Herb Pedersen, Ted Taylor and Theresa Spanke-Durham on backing vocals, while Al Perkins played steel guitar on the tracks, ‘Several Hearts’, ‘Cheap Motels’, ‘If You Count Goodbye’ and ‘Comin’ Back’.
On Tuesday 6 September 1988, The Desert Rose Band saw the release of their second abum, ‘Running’ (MCA Records / Curb Records, 1988), which included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Summer Wind’ (written by Steve Hill and Chris Hillman) (No.2, 1988)
‘I Still Believe In You’ (written by Chris Hillman and Steve Hill) (No.1 for one week in March 1989)
‘She Don’t Love Nobody’ (written by John Hiatt) (No.3, 1989)
‘Hello Trouble’, which was written by Orville Couch (Thursday 21 February 1935 – Sunday 26 May 2002) and Eddie McDuff (Thursday 20 June 1935 – Friday 3 May 1968) (No.11, 1989)
The Desert Rose Band’s second album, ‘Running’ (MCA Records / Curb Records, 1988), also included the following tracks:
‘Running’ (written by Steve Hill and Chris Hillman)
‘For The Rich Man’ (written by Steve Hill and Chris Hillman)
‘Step On Out’ (written by Chris Hillman and Peter Knobler)
‘Homeless’ (written by Steve Hill and Chris Hillman)
‘Livin’ In The House’ (written by Steve Hill and Chris Hillman)
‘Our Songs’ (written by Steve Hill and Chris Hillman)
The Desert Rose Band’s second album, ‘Running’ (MCA Records / Curb Records, 1988), reached No.26 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1989.
On Tuesday 14 November 1989, Vince Gill saw the release of ‘When I Call Your Name’ (MCA Nashville Records, 1989); one of the included tracks was ‘Ridin’ The Rodeo’ (written by Vince Gill and Kostas), which featured Herb Pedersen on background vocals.
On Tuesday 16 January 1990, The Desert Rose Band saw the release of their third album, ‘Pages of Life’ (MCA Records / Curb Records, 1990), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Start All Over Again’ (written by Steve Hill and Chris Hillman) (No.6, 1989)
‘In Another Lifetime’ (written by Steve Hill and Chris Hillman) (No.13, 1990)
A music video was created for ‘In Another Lifetime’ (written by Steve Hill and Chris Hillman), whilst The Desert Rose Band made television appearances for the three singles, which included such shows as ‘Nashville Now’, an American country music television talk show, which was presented by Ralph Emery (Friday 10 March 1933 – Saturday 15 January 2022).
‘Story of Love’ (written by Steve Hill and Chris Hillman) (No.10, 1990)
The Desert Rose Band’s third album, ‘Pages of Life’ (MCA Records / Curb Records, 1990), also included the following tracks:
‘Missing You’ (written by Chris Hillman, Tom Russell and Richard Sellars)
‘Just A Memory’ (written by Chris Hillman and John Jorgenson)
‘God’s Plan’ (written by Steve Hill and Chris Hillman)
‘Darkness On The Playground’ (written by Steve Hill and Chris Hillman)
‘Our Baby’s Gone’ (written by Herb Pedersen)
‘Time Passes Me By’ (written by Steve Hill and Chris Hillman)
‘Everybody’s Hero’ (written by Chris Hillman and Michael Woody)
‘Desert Rose’ (written by Chris Hillman and Bill Wildes)
During 1990, The Desert Rose Band embarked on a tour to promote ‘Pages of Life’ (MCA Records / Curb Records, 1990), where they headlined the majority of the dates.
The Desert Rose Band also spent a week in Las Vegas opening for The Oak Ridge Boys.
As a marketing attempt, the album cover for ‘Pages of Life’ (MCA Records / Curb Records, 1990), featured Chris Hillman, Herb Pedersen and John Jorgenson.
John Jorgenson explained: ‘That was some kind of marketing deal, done on the theory that the audience could recall three of us easier than six guys. But the other guys are fully-fledged members of The Desert Rose Band and they all make a big contribution’
The Desert Rose Band’s third album, ‘Pages of Life’ (MCA Records / Curb Records, 1990), reached No.17 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1990.
In 1990, Collin Raye signed a recording contract with Epic Records and saw the release, on Tuesday 27 August 1991, of his highly acclaimed debut album, ‘All I Can Be’ (Epic Records, 1991), which was produced by Jerry Fuller and John A. Hobbs (Saturday 11 February 1928 – Wednesday 12 June 2019), and included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘All I Can Be (Is A Sweet Memory)’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 – Sunday 3 March 2002) (No.29, 1991)
‘Love, Me’ (written by Skip Ewing and Max T. Barnes) (No.1 for two weeks in January 1992) / this track received a ‘Song of The Year’ nomination from the Country Music Association (CMA) in 1992
‘Every Second’ (written by Gerald Smith and Wayne Perry) (No.2 in May 1992)
Collin Raye‘s highly acclaimed debut album, ‘All I Can Be’ (Epic Records, 1991), also included the following tracks:
‘Faithful Old Flame’ (written by Brent Mason and Lonnie Wilson)
‘Scuse Moi, My Heart’ (written by Steve Stone and Jerry Fuller)
‘Any Old Stretch of Blacktop’ (written by Frank J. Myers and Bernie Nelson)
‘Blue Magic’, which was written by Collin Raye, John A. Hobbs (Saturday 11 February 1928 – Wednesday 12 June 2019) and Jerry Fuller
‘It Could’ve Been So Good’ (written by Chris Waters and Lonnie Wilson)
‘Sadly Ever After’, which was written by Mark Collie and Bruce Burch (Friday 30 January 1953 – Saturday 12 March 2022)
‘If I Were You’ (written by Richard Fagan and Rick Peoples)
Personnel involved in the recording of Collin Raye‘s highly acclaimed debut album, ‘All I Can Be’ (Epic Records, 1991), included the following:
Dennis Belfield and Joe Chemay (bass)
Ron Krasinski and Paul Leim (drums)
John A. Hobbs (Saturday 11 February 1928 – Wednesday 12 June 2019) (keyboards)
Paul Franklin and Jay Dee Maness (steel guitar)
Rob Hajacos (fiddle)
Steve Gibson, Dean Parks, Fred Tackett and Billy Joe Walker Jr. (Friday 29 February 1952 – Tuesday 25 July 2017) (acoustic guitar)
Steve Gibson, Kraig Hutchens, Billy Joe Walker Jr. (Friday 29 February 1952 – Tuesday 25 July 2017) and Reggie Young (Saturday 12 December 1936 – Thursday 17 January 2019) (electric guitar)
Collin Raye (lead vocals)
Beth Anderson, Jerry Fuller, Vince Gill, Herb Pedersen, Collin Raye, Harry Stinson, Dennis Wilson and Bubba Wray (background vocals)
Collin Raye‘s highly acclaimed debut album, ‘All I Can Be’ (Epic Records, 1991), which reached No.7 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1991, and No.54 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 1991, achieved ‘Platinum’ certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of one million copies.
On Friday 4 January 1991, The Desert Rose Band saw the release of ‘A Dozen Roses – Greatest Hits’ (MCA Records / Curb Records, 1991), which included the following tracks:
‘Love Reunited’ (written by Steve Hill and Chris Hillman) (No.6, 1987)
‘One Step Forward’ (written by Chris Hillman and Bill Wildes) (No.2, 1987)
‘He’s Back & I’m Blue’ (written by Robert Anderson and Michael Woody) (No.1 for one week in June / July 1988)
‘She Don’t Love Nobody’ (written by John Hiatt) (No.3, 1989)
‘Summer Wind’ (written by Steve Hill and Chris Hillman) (No.2, 1988)
‘I Still Believe In You’ (written by Steve Hill and Chris Hillman) (No.1 for one week in March 1989)
‘Hello Trouble’, which was written by Orville Couch (Thursday 21 February 1935 – Sunday 26 May 2002) and Eddie McDuff (Thursday 20 June 1935 – Friday 3 May 1968) (No.11, 1989)
‘Start All Over Again’ (written by Steve Hill and Chris Hillman) (No.6, 1989)
‘Story of Love’ (written by Steve Hill and Chris Hillman) (No.10, 1990)
‘Will This Be The Day’ (written by Steve Hill and Chris Hillman) (No.37, 1991)
‘Come A Little Closer’ (written by Steve Hill and Chris Hillman) (No.65, 1991)
‘Price I Pay’ (written by Chris Hillman and Bill Wildes) / this track featured guest vocals from Emmylou Harris
It was also in 1991, while a member of The Desert Rose Band, Chris Hillman’s landmark band, The Byrds, were inducted into The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, which was a fitting tribute to one of the most influential bands of the 20th Century.
On Tuesday 5 March 1991, Vince Gill saw the release of ‘Pocket Full of Gold’ (MCA Nashville Records, 1991), which was produced by Tony Brown, and included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Pocket Full of Gold’ (written by Brian Allsmiller and Vince Gill) (No.7, 1991)
‘Liza Jane’, which was written by Vince Gill and Reed Nielsen (1950 – Saturday 15 November 2014) (No.7, 1991)
‘Look At Us’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) and Vince Gill (No.4, 1991)
‘Take Your Memory With You’ (written by Vince Gill) (No.2, 1992)
Vince Gill‘s ‘Pocket Full of Gold’ (MCA Nashville Records, 1991) also included the following tracks:
‘I Quit’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) and Vince Gill
‘The Strings That Tie You Down’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) and Vince Gill
‘If I Didn’t Have You In My World’, which was written by Vince Gill and Jim Weatherly (Wednesday 17 March 1943 – Wednesday 3 February 2021)
‘A Little Left Over’ (written by Vince Gill)
‘What’s A Man To Do’ (written by Curtis Wright)
‘Sparkle’ (written by Jim Lauderdale and John Leventhal)
Personnel involved in the recording of Vince Gill‘s ‘Pocket Full of Gold’ (MCA Nashville Records, 1991) included the following:
Eddie Bayers and Larrie Londin (Friday 15 October 1943 – Monday 24 August 1992) (drums, percussion)
Barry Beckett, Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins (Tuesday 18 January 1938 – Sunday 30 January 2022) and Pete Wasner (piano, keyboards)
Richard Bennett, Larry Byrom and Mac McAnally (guitars)
Vince Gill (vocals, guitars, keyboards, synclavier workstation)
John Hughey (Wednesday 27 December 1933 – Sunday 18 November 2007) (steel guitar)
Tony King, Patty Loveless, Herb Pedersen and Billy Joe Walker Jr. (Friday 29 February 1952 – Tuesday 25 July 2017) (background vocals)
Michael Rhodes (Wednesday 16 September 1953 – Saturday 4 March 2023) and Willie Weeks (bass guitar)
Andrea Zonn (background vocals, fiddle)
Vince Gill‘s ‘Pocket Full of Gold’ (MCA Nashville Records, 1991) reached No.5 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1991, and reached No.37 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 1991.
On Tuesday 1 October 1991, The Desert Rose Band saw the release of their fourth album, ‘True Love’ (Curb Records, 1991), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘You Can Go Home’ (written by Chris Hillman and Jack Tempchin) (No.53, 1991)
‘Twilight Is Gone’ (written by Chris Hillman and Steve Hill) (No.67, 1992)
The Desert Rose Band’s fourth album, ‘True Love’ (Curb Records, 1991), also included the following tracks:
‘It Takes A Believer’ (written by Chris Hillman and Michael Woody)
‘No One Else’ (written by Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen)
‘A Matter of Time’ (written by Chris Hillman)
‘Undying Love’ (written by Peter Rowan) / this track featured guest vocals from Alison Krauss
‘Behind These Walls’ (written by Chris Hillman and Michael Woody)
‘True Love’ (written by Chris Hillman and Steve Hill)
‘Glory & Power’ (written by Chris Hillman and Steve Hill)
‘Shades of Blue’ (written by Chris Hillman and Steve Hill)
Following the commercial failure of their fourth album, ‘True Love’ (Curb Records, 1991), The Desert Rose Band were dropped by MCA Records in 1992.
On Monday 26 January 1993, The Desert Rose Band saw the release of ‘Traditional’ (Curb Records, 1993), which was their second compilation album; it included ten country songs from the band’s previous albums, which were never released as singles:
‘Undying Love’ (written by Peter Rowan)
‘Once More’ (written by Antônio Carlos Jobim and Dusty Owens)
‘Price I Pay’ (written by Bill Wildes and Chris Hillman)
‘True Love’ (written by Chris Hillman and Steve Hill)
‘Step On Out’ (written by Chris Hillman and Peter Knobler)
‘Time Between’ (written by Chris Hillman)
‘Our Songs’ (written by Chris Hillman and Steve Hill)
‘Missing You’ (written by Chris Hillman, Tom Russell and Richard Sellars)
‘Desert Rose’ (written by Bill Wildes and Chris Hillman)
‘Hard Times’ (written by Bill Wildes, Chris Hillman and Jon Brandford)
The front cover photograph, which was used for The Desert Rose Band’s ‘Traditional’ (Curb Records, 1993), was taken during the same photography session as the ‘True Love’ (Curb Records, 1991) album two years previously in 1991.
The Desert Rose Band’s ‘Traditional’ (Curb Records, 1993) was released half a year before the band’s final studio album, ‘Life Goes On’ (Curb Records, 1993), and failed to make an appearance on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart. No singles were released from the compilation.
On Tuesday 21 September 1993, The Desert Rose Band saw the release of their fifth, and final album, ‘Life Goes On’ (Curb Records, 1993), which was released in Europe only, and was never released in the United States.
The Desert Rose Band’s final music video, which was directed by Michael Merriman, was created for the album’s leading single, ‘What About Love’ (written by Chris Hillman and Steve Hill), which reached No.71 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 1993.
The Desert Rose Band’s fifth, and final album, ‘Life Goes On’ (Curb Records, 1993), also included the following tracks:
‘Night After Night’ (written by Chris Hillman and Michael Woody)
‘Walk On By’ (written by Chris Hillman and R. Alan Thornhill)
‘Love’s Refugees’ (written by Chris Hillman and Steve Hill)
‘Life Goes On’ (written by Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen)
‘That’s Not The Way’ (written by Chris Hillman and Michael Woody)
‘Til It’s Over’ (written by Chris Hillman and Steve Hill)
‘Hold On’ (written by Herb Pedersen)
‘Little Rain’ (written by Chris Hillman and Steve Hill)
‘Throw Me A Lifeline’ (written by Chris Hillman and Steve Hill)
By the beginning of 1994, saddened by the passing of Chris Hillman‘s close friends and band members, Gene Clark (Friday 17 November 1944 – Friday 24 May 1991) and Michael Clarke (Monday 3 June 1946 – Sunday 19 December 1993), and wishing to spend more time with his family and watching his children grow, Chris Hillman decided to call it a day for The Desert Rose Band.
in 1995, with the release of ‘Bakersfield Bound’ (Sugar Hill Records, 1995), Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen revisited their classic California roots; the album included the following tracks:
‘Playboy’, which was written by Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland, Eddie Holland, Edward Monroe ‘Eddie’ Miller (Wednesday 10 December 1919 – Monday 11 April 1977) and Bob Morris
‘Which One Is To Blame’, which was written by Robert Charlebois, Sunny Dull and Redd Stewart (Sunday 27 May 1923 – Saturday 2 August 2003)
‘Close Up The Honky Tonks’, which was written by Red Simpson (Tuesday 6 March 1934 – Friday 8 January 2016)
‘Brand New Heartache’, which was written by Boudleaux Bryant (Friday 13 February 1920 – Thursday 25 June 1987) and Felice Bryant (Friday 7 August 1925 – Tuesday 22 April 2003)
‘Congratulations, Anyway!’, which was written by Jesse McReynolds (Tuesday 9 July 1929 – Friday 23 June 2023) and Jim McReynolds (Sunday 13 February 1927 – Tuesday 31 December 2002)
‘It’s Not Love (But It’s Not Bad)’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Glenn Martin
‘He Don’t Deserve You Anymore’, which was written by Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006)
‘There Goes My Love’, which was written by Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006)
‘My Baby’s Gone’, which was written by Hazel Marie Houser (Saturday 3 June 1922 – Friday 14 June 1996)
‘The Lost Highway’, which was written by Leon Payne (Friday 15 June 1917 – Thursday 11 September 1969)
‘Time Goes So Slow’, which was written by Skeeter Davis (Wednesday 30 December 1931 – Sunday 19 September 2004) and Marie Wilson
‘Just Tell Me Darlin’ (written by Chris Hillman and Bill Wildes)
‘Bakersfield Bound’ (written by Steve Hill and Chris Hillman)
The Laurel Canyon Ramblers recorded Herb Pedersen‘s ‘Rambler’s Blues’ and included the track on ‘Rambler’s Blues’ (Sugar Hill Records, 1995).
The Laurel Canyon Ramblers recorded Herb Pedersen‘s ‘To A Heart Always True’ and included the track on ‘Rambler’s Blues’ (Sugar Hill Records, 1995).
The Laurel Canyon Ramblers recorded Herb Pedersen‘s ‘Yellowhead’ and included the track on ‘Rambler’s Blues’ (Sugar Hill Records, 1995).
The Laurel Canyon Ramblers recorded Herb Pedersen‘s ‘The Words She Writes Tonight’ (co-written with Chris Hillman) and included the track on ‘Blue Rambler 2’ (Sugar Hill Records, 1996).
The Laurel Canyon Ramblers recorded Herb Pedersen‘s ‘Wait A Minute’ and included the track on ‘Blue Rambler 2’ (Sugar Hill Records, 1996).
On Tuesday 14 January 1997, Tony Rice (Friday 8 June 1951 – Friday 25 December 2020), Larry Rice (1949 – Saturday 13 May 2006), Chris Hillman & Herb Pedersen saw the release of ‘Out of The Woodwork’ (Rounder Records, 1997), which included the following tracks:
‘Hard Times’
‘Lord, Won’t You Help Me’
‘Somewhere On The Road Tonight’
‘No One Else’
‘Streetcorner Stranger’
‘So Begins The Task’
‘Dimming of The Day’ (written by Richard Thompson)
‘Just Me & You’
‘Do Right Woman’
‘Change Coming Down’
‘Story of Love’
‘Only Passing Through’
Personnel involved in the recording of Tony Rice, Larry Rice (1949 – Saturday 13 May 2006), Chris Hillman & Herb Pedersen‘s ‘Out of the Woodwork’ (Rounder Records, 1997) included the following:
Tony Rice (Friday 8 June 1951 – Friday 25 December 2020) (guitar)
Larry Rice (1949 – Saturday 13 May 2006) (mandolin, vocals)
Chris Hillman (bass, guitar, vocals)
Herb Pedersen (banjo, guitar, vocals)
Jerry Douglas and Mike Auldridge (Friday 30 December 1938 – Saturday 29 December 2012) (Dobro)
Ronnie Simpkins (bass)
Rickie Simpkins (violin)
The Laurel Canyon Ramblers recorded Herb Pedersen‘s ‘Heaven Bound’ and included the track on ‘Back On The Street Again’ (Sugar Hill Records, 1998).
The Laurel Canyon Ramblers recorded Herb Pedersen‘s ‘Hold On’ and included the track on ‘Back On The Street Again’ (Sugar Hill Records, 1998).
On Tuesday 5 October 1999, Tony Rice (Friday 8 June 1951 – Friday 25 December 2020), Larry Rice (1949 – Saturday 13 May 2006), Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen saw the release of ‘Rice, Rice, Hillman & Pedersen’ (Rounder Records, 1999), which included the following tracks:
‘Doesn’t Mean That Much Anymore’ (written by Chris Hillman)
‘Side Effects of Love’, which was written by Larry Rice (1949 – Saturday 13 May 2006)
‘One of These Days’ (written by Earl Montgomery)
‘Never Ending Song of Love’, which was written by Bonnie Bramlett and Delaney Bramlett (Saturday 1 July 1939 – Saturday 27 December 2008)
‘Friend of The Devil’ (written by John Dawson, Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter)
‘Out Among The Stars’ (written by Adam Mitchell)
‘Moonshine’
‘Moment of Glory’ (written by Chris Hillman)
‘The Year of El Nino’, which was written by Larry Rice (1949 – Saturday 13 May 2006)
‘Hearts Overflowing’ (written by Mike Brewer)
‘I Will’ (written by Steve Hill and Chris Hillman)
‘The Walkin’ Blues’ (written by Chris Hillman)
‘I’ll Be On That Good Road Someday’ (written by Bruce Philips)
Personnel involved in the recording of Tony Rice, Larry Rice, Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen‘s ‘Rice, Rice, Hillman & Pedersen’ (Rounder Records, 1999) included the following:
Tony Rice (Friday 8 June 1951 – Friday 25 December 2020) (guitar)
Larry Rice (1949 – Saturday 13 May 2006) (mandolin, vocals)
Chris Hillman (bass, guitar, vocals)
Herb Pedersen (banjo, guitar, vocals)
Jerry Douglas and Mike Auldridge (Friday 30 December 1938 – Saturday 29 December 2012) (Dobro)
Ronnie Simpkins (bass)
Rickie Simpkins (violin)
On Tuesday 30 October 2001, Tony Rice (Friday 8 June 1951 – Friday 25 December 2020), Larry Rice (1949 – Saturday 13 May 2006), Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen saw the release of ‘Running Wild’ (Rounder Records, 2001), which included the following tracks:
‘San Antone’ (written by Chris Hillman)
‘You’re Running Wild’, which was written by Ray Edenton (Wednesday 3 November 1926 – Wednesday 21 September 2022) and Donnie Winters
‘Things We Said Today’, which was written by John Lennon (Wednesday 9 October 1940 – Monday 8 December 1980) and Paul McCartney
‘4 + 20’
‘Two of A Kind’ (written by Jon Ims)
‘Just Passin’ Through’ (written by Chris Hillman)
‘The Mystery That Won’t Go Away’, which was written by Larry Rice (1949 – Saturday 13 May 2006)
‘Take Me Back Again’, which was written by Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006)
‘Maybe She’ll Get Lucky’ (written by Chris Hillman)
‘Hard Hearted’, which was written by Jesse McReynolds (Tuesday 9 July 1929 – Friday 23 June 2023) and Jim McReynolds (Sunday 13 February 1927 – Tuesday 31 December 2002)
‘It’s A Long Way To The Top of The World’ (written by Don Wayne)
‘About Love’, which was written by Larry Rice (1949 – Saturday 13 May 2006)
On Saturday 13 May 2006, Larry Rice passed away.
In 2002, Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen again revisited California country music in the wonderful ‘Way Out West’ (Back Porch Records, 2002), which had the flavour of old California music halls, and included the following tracks:
‘Back Porch Boy’ (written by Chris Hillman)
‘There You Go’ (written by Steve Hill and Chris Hillman)
‘Invitation To The Blues’, which was written by Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 – Sunday 25 October 1992)
‘No Longer A Sweetheart of Mine’, which was written by Don Wesley Reno (Monday 21 February 1927 – Tuesday 16 October 1984), Arthur Lee ‘Red’ Smiley (Sunday 17 May 1925 – Sunday 2 January 1972) and B. Smith
‘Problems’, which was written by Boudleaux Bryant (Friday 13 February 1920 – Thursday 25 June 1987) and Felice Bryant (Friday 7 August 1925 – Tuesday 22 April 2003)
‘Better Man Than That’ (written by Steve Hill and Chris Hillman)
‘The Old Cross Road’, which was written by Charlie Monroe (Saturday 4 July 1903 – Saturday 27 September 1975)
‘Sugar Cane’ (written by Herb Pedersen)
‘After All Is Said & Done’ (written by Steve Hill and Chris Hillman)
‘You Done Me Wrong’, which was written by George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) and Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013)
‘Save The Last Dance For Me’, which was written by Doc Pomus (Saturday 27 June 1925 – Thursday 14 March 1991) and Mort Shuman (Thursday 12 November 1936 – Saturday 2 November 1991)
‘Are You Missing Me?’, which was written by Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 – Wednesday 26 January 2011) and Ira Louvin (Monday 21 April 1924 – Sunday 20 June 1965)
‘That’s The Way It Was’ (written by Steve Hill and Chris Hillman)
‘You’re Learning’, which was written by Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 – Wednesday 26 January 2011) and Ira Louvin (Monday 21 April 1924 – Sunday 20 June 1965)
‘Our Love It Don’t Come Easy’ (written by Herb Pedersen)
‘Good Year’ (written by Steve Hill and Chris Hillman)
‘Back Porch Boy’ (outro) (written by Chris Hillman)
On Tuesday 25 October 2005, Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) saw the release of ‘Chicago Wind’ (Capitol Records, 2005), which included the following tracks:
‘Chicago Wind’, which was written by Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016)
‘Where’s All The Freedom’, which was written by Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016)
‘White Man Singin’ The Blues’, which was written by Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016)
‘Leavin’s Not The Only Way To Go’, which was written by Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 – Sunday 25 October 1992)
‘What I’ve Been Meaning To Say’, which was written by Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016)
‘Mexico’, which was written by Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016)
‘Honky Tonk Man’, which was written by Dewayne L. Blackwell (Thursday 17 September 1936 – Sunday 23 May 2021)
‘America First’, which was written by Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016)
‘It Always Will Be’ (written by Willie Nelson)
‘I Still Can’t Say Goodbye’ (written by Robert Blinn and James Moore)
‘Some of Us Fly’, which was written by Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) / this track was a duet with Toby Keith (Saturday 8 July 1961 – Monday 5 February 2024)
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard‘s ‘Chicago Wind’ (Capitol Records, 2005) included the following:
Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) (vocals, guitar)
Thom Bresh and Biff Watson (acoustic guitar)
Doug Colosio (keyboards)
Shannon Forrest (drums)
Scott Joss (fiddle, mandolin)
Leland Sklar (bass)
Don Markham (trumpet)
Brent Mason and Reggie Young (Saturday 12 December 1936 – Thursday 17 January 2019) (electric guitar)
Alti Ovarsson (piano)
Herb Pedersen (banjo, background vocals)
Mike Post (guitar, Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer)
Michael Rhodes (Wednesday 16 September 1953 – Saturday 4 March 2023) (bass)
John ‘4 Daddman’ Robinson (drums)
Billy Joe Walker Jr. (Friday 29 February 1952 – Tuesday 25 July 2017) (acoustic guitar, electric guitar)
Gabe Witcher (fiddle)
Alan Jackson recorded Herb Pedersen‘s ‘Wait A Minute’ and included the track on ‘Like Red On A Rose’ (Arista Records, 2006), which was produced by Alison Krauss.
On Tuesday 7 September 2010, Eric Brace and Peter Cooper (1970 – Tuesday 5 December 2022) saw the release of ‘Master Sessions’ (Red Beet Records, 2010), which featured special guests Lloyd Green and Mike Auldridge (Friday 30 December 1938 – Saturday 29 December 2012); one of the included tracks was ‘Wait A Minute’ (written by Herb Pedersen), which featured harmony vocals from Kenny Chesney.
On Tuesday 21 September 2010, Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen saw the release of ‘Chris Hillman & Herb Pedersen At Edward’s Barn’ (Rounder Records, 2010), a ‘live’ concert recording, which was recorded in a barn in Nipono, California, and included the following tracks:
‘Going Up Home’, which was written by Avril Gearheart and Ralph Stanley (Friday 25 February 1927 – Thursday 23 June 2016)
‘Love Reunited’ (written by Chris Hillman)
‘Turn, Turn, Turn (To Everything There Is A Season)’, which was written by Pete Seeger (Saturday 3 May 1919 – Monday 27 January 2014)
‘If I Could Only Win Your Love’, which was written by Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 – Wednesday 26 January 2011) and Ira Louvin (Monday 21 April 1924 – Sunday 20 June 1965)
‘Tu Cancion’ (written by Chris Hillman)
‘Our Savior’s Hands’ (written by Chris Hillman)
‘Wheels’, which was written by Chris Hillman and Gram Parsons (Tuesday 5 November 1946 – Wednesday 19 September 1973)
‘Have You Seen Her Face’ (written by Chris Hillman)
‘Eight Miles High’, which was written by Gene Clark (Friday 17 November 1944 – Friday 24 May 1991), David Crosby and Roger McGuinn
‘Together Again’, which was written by Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006)
‘Desert Rose’ (written by Chris Hillman and Bill Wildes)
‘Sin City’, which was written by Chris Hillman and Gram Parsons (Tuesday 5 November 1946 – Wednesday 19 September 1973)
‘The Cowboy Way’ (written by Chris Hillman)
‘Wait A Minute’ (written by Herb Pedersen)
‘Heaven’s Lullaby’ (written by Chris Hillman)
On ‘Chris Hillman & Herb Pedersen at Edward’s Barn’ (Rounder Records, 2010), Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen were joined by three expert musicians, who they had worked with before, guitar player Larry Park, fiddle player, David Mansfield and bass player, Bill Bryson (Sunday 10 November 1946 – Sunday 30 April 2017).
Seldom Scene recorded Herb Pedersen’s ‘Wait A Minute’ and included the track on ‘Long Time…Seldom Scene’ (Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, 2014).
Television and motion picture soundtracks are something Herb Pedersen has been involved in since the early 1970s.
Shows such as ‘The Rockford Files’, ‘Smokey & The Bandit’, the ‘Maverick’ movie with Mel Gibson, ‘Hunter’, and ‘The Simpsons’, have all utilised Herb Pedersen, either on 5-string banjo, or vocals for many years.
Artists including Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill, Johnny Rivers, Dan Fogelberg (Monday 13 August 1951 – Sunday 16 December 2007), James Taylor, Gordon Lightfoot (Thursday 17 November 1938 – Sunday 1 May 2023), Jennifer Warnes, John Prine (Thursday 10 October 1946 – Tuesday 7 April 2020) and Jesse Winchester (Wednesday 17 May 1944 – Friday 11 April 2014) have used Herb Pedersen‘s talents in the past and in all probability will continue to do so.
From Carnegie Hall in New York to The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Herb Pedersen‘s been on the scene enjoying every minute of it.
• Visit Herb Pedersen’s official site at herbpedersen.com