The Desert Rose Band

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The Desert Rose Band was an American country rock band from California, founded by Chris Hillman (formerly of The Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers), along with Herb Pedersen and John Jorgenson, in 1985. Rounding out the original lineup were Bill Bryson (bass guitar), Jay Dee Maness (pedal steel guitar), and Steve Duncan (drums). In the 1980s and early 1990s, the band charted several singles on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts until disbanding in 1993.

Formation

The Desert Rose Band was formed in 1985 by frontman Chris Hillman, formerly a member of The Byrds, and later a member of the country-rock band Flying Burrito Brothers. Additional members included John Jorgenson, who was mainly responsible for the instrumental arrangements of the songs; Herb Pedersen for the vocal arrangements. Herb sang the high tenor part above Chris' tenor and each Desert Rose Band album featured Herb on one lead vocal. Drummer Steve Duncan and bassist Bill Bryson provided background vocals. Pedal player JayDee Maness on steels made the group complete.

Debut album

Their eponymous debut album was issued in 1987 on MCA/Curb. It contained their first hit, "Ashes of Love", which was a Johnny & Jack song from the early 1950s. It was the second time Hillman and Pederson recorded "Ashes of Love", the first being on Hillman's just prior album, Desert Rose on the Sugar Hill label. Desert Rose's debut also featured a remake of Chris Hillman's "Time Between", which he previously recorded as a member of The Byrds, as well as the band's first chart-topper, "He's Back and I'm Blue".

Their second album Running (1988) featured the John Hiatt-penned hit "She Don't Love Nobody", "Running", and a remake of Buck Owens's "Hello Trouble".

The third album Pages of Life featured a remake of "Desert Rose" as well as a remake of Peterson's folk song about his daughter "Our Baby's Gone" which was originally recorded on his 1976 album Southwest.

Jay Dee Maness left the band in 1990 and was replaced on pedal steel guitar by Tom Brumley whom Jay Dee replaced in the Buckaroos. Jay Dee Maness would again play with Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen on their post Desert Rose Band duo albums Bakersfield Bound and Way Out West.

The fourth album, True Love, was released in the early 1990s. It was followed by 1993's Life Goes On, released only in Europe. Several prominent country and bluegrass musicians made guest appearances on Life Goes On including Sam Bush on fiddle, Tony Rice and Larry Park (of Boy Howdy) on guitar, and Al Perkins on dobro.

Post-Desert Rose Band

John Jorgenson and Steve Duncan left the band in 1991. John would go on to form the Hellecasters with Will Ray and Jerry Donahue; Duncan would join the Hellecasters as well. John Jorgenson is currently playing gypsy jazz with his John Jorgenson Quintette. Chris and Herb recorded an acoustic album called The Other Side in 2005 . They continue to tour as an acoustic duo. Tom Brumley played with Joey Riley's band in Branson, Missouri. He died on February 3, 2009.

2008 Reunion

Jorgenson performed with Chris Hillman and Herb Pederson on May 2, 2008, at the Station Inn in Nashville. HIllman said it was the first time they'd played together in 19 years. They went through a string of DRB hits, but were unable to play "He's Back & I'm Blue" because Hillman had forgotten the words.

Discography

Studio albums

Compilation albums

Singles

References

• Humphrey, Mark. Paul Kingsbury. ed. The Encyclopedia of Country Music. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 143–4. ISBN 0-19-511671-2. 

External links

• CMT.com profile
• chrishillman.com
• herbpedersen.com
• johnjorgenson.com