Pedersen, Herb

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HERB PEDERSEN

  • From Berkeley, California. Moved to Los Angeles (San Fernando Valley) in the 1960’s.
  • Began career in Bay Area playing in a band called The Pine Valley Boys with David Nelson (who later played with the New Riders of the Purple Sage) and Butch Waller (of High Country).
  • Early-sixties, worked briefly with Lester Flatt, filling in for Earl Scruggs who was recuperating from a hip operation.
  • Mid-sixties, joined the Northern California based group Vern and Ray (Vern Williams and Ray Park).
  • 1968, took Doug Dillard’s place in The Dillards. While with The Dillards, recorded two landmark albums Wheatstraw Suite and Copperfields (Elektra Records).
  • 1972, left the Dillards and formed The Country Gazette with Byron Berline, but did not stay with the band. He was replaced by Alan Munde.
  • 1972-1985, worked full-time as a session musician, songwriter, vocalist and producer in Los Angeles. During this time, he produced the highly-acclaimed “Trio” album for Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt. He also worked on John Denver and the Muppets A Christmas Together album and many others in addition to recording several solo albums of his own.
  • 1984, released solo project Lonesome Feeling (Sugar Hill).
  • 1985, formed The Desert Rose Band with Chris Hillman (broke up in 1993).
  • Sang on the soundtrack to the movie “City Slickers” starring Billy Crystal.
  • 1994, formed a Los Angeles bluegrass band called The Laurel Canyon Ramblers.
  • 1998, 2000, recorded and performed with Tony Rice, Larry Rice and Chris Hillman as Out Of The Woodwork (Rounder) and as Rice, Rice, Hillman & Pedersen (Rounder). They recorded a third album titled Running Wild (Rounder).
  • 2002, formed a duo with Chris Hillman (Byrds, Desert Rose Band). They have recorded and toured as Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen.
  • 2009, formed a local (San Fernando Valley) bluegrass band called Loafer’s Glory with Tom Sauber, Pat Sauber and Bill Bryson.
  • Currently performs with Loafer’s Glory, Hillman and Pedersen, the Desert Rose Band and the John Jorgensen Bluegrass Band.