Mirth, miracles, mayhem, and…don’t forget the music. Dixie Gamble’s gripping memoir, Witch Hairs, now has the soundtrack it deserves.

Featuring songs and collaborations by music luminaries such as Rodney Crowell, Lewis Storey, Bee Taylor, Harry Stinson, Beth Hooker, Mary Ann Kennedy, Pierpaolo Adda, Lauren Braddock, Hannah Sutherland,  and, of course, John Jorgenson, Chiaroscuro is the perfect companion to Gamble’s soul-tugging tale of life, loss, love and redemption.

Each song on Chiaroscuro — some inspired by; some providing inspiration to Witch Hairs — provides a rich musical backdrop for the amazing and, sometimes, heart-breaking stories that fill each chapter. From Beth Hooker’s deeply meditative Edge of Everything to Rodney Crowell’s beautifully evocative Old Dancing Couple, Chiaroscuro is a companion piece that both supports and expands on Gamble’s words and wisdom.

Witch Hairs and Chiaroscuro are both available for preview and purchase here.

Get your copy today!

Witch Hairs Book and Chiaroscuro CD Bundle

$35.00

Source: John Jorgenson.com © 2019

The Museum of Ventura County is privileged to present the new exhibit Chris Hillman: Time Between featuring the storied rise of country rock pioneer Chris Hillman and his memorabilia. The opening reception will be held on Friday, January 11, from 6 – 8 p.m. and will feature refreshments and a no-host bar. Admission is FREE for Members and $5 for Non-Members. For more information call (805) 653-0323.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QckucNEIBKQ

Long time resident of Ventura, Chris Hillman is a national treasure. Along with frequent collaborators Roger McGuinn, David Crosby, Gram Parsons, Stephen Stills and Steve Hill, he was a key figure in the development of country rock, virtually defining the genre through his seminal work in “The Byrds” and “The Flying Burrito Brothers”, and later became the leader of the country act “The Desert Rose Band”.

Hillman lost part of his home in the Thomas Fire but was grateful that firefighters and first responders were able to save the residence. This legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Famer has loaned the museum for display some of the memorabilia collected in his six decade long career as a musician, singer and songwriter. Speaking about the exhibit, Chris Hillman expressed, “I am very honored to be a part of the Museum of Ventura County’s exhibit on my life in music. I feel so blessed to have been able to seek out and accomplish all that I dreamed of as a young man”.

The Museum of Ventura County will host An Evening of Song & Stories with Chris Hillman on Thursday, January 24, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. in the Martin V. and Martha K. Smith Pavilion at the Museum. Tickets will be available on Wednesday, January 2 at 11 a.m. at www.VenturaMuseum.org/Hillman. Admission is $25 for Museum Members and $35 for Non-Members. VIP Admission is $100 for Members and $125 for Non-Members. VIP Admission includes reserved seating in the first few rows and an intimate pre-event reception with Chris Hillman, light Hors d’Oeuvres and refreshments.

Chris Hillman: Time Between runs January 11, 2019 through March 31, 2019. For more information call (805) 653-0323.

source: Chrishillman.com

50th Anniversary of "Sweetheart of the Rodeo" Tour

BYRDS CO-FOUNDERS ROGER MCGUINN AND CHRIS HILLMAN CELEBRATE THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF “SWEETHEART OF THE RODEO” WITH SPECIAL TOUR FEATURING MARTY STUART AND HIS FABULOUS SUPERLATIVES
DEBUT APPEARANCE CONFIRMED FOR MARTY STUART’S LATE NIGHT JAM IN NASHVILLE ON JUNE 6th AT THE RYMAN AUDITORIUM

On the 50th anniversary of their groundbreaking album, Sweetheart of the Rodeo, Byrds co-founders, Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman will perform the album in its entirety and tell the stories that brought the album to life. They will also sing some other favorites from their long recording careers. The tour will stop in cities including Los Angeles, Albany, and Akron (dates below, with more to be announced soon) with a performance of a few songs off the album at Marty Stuart’s Late Night Jam on June 6th at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. McGuinn and Hillman will be joined on these dates by country legends Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives. Stuart himself plays the famous 1954 Fender Telecaster originally owned by legendary country-rock pioneer Clarence White, a performer on Sweetheart of the Rodeo. For tickets and more details, see venue information below.
Sweetheart of the Rodeo is widely considered to be one of the most influential country rock albums of all time, and credited with giving rise to the genre. In 2003, the album was ranked #117 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Albums.

“On March 9, 1968, Roger McGuinn and I along with many fantastic musicians began recording the Sweetheart of the Rodeo album at Columbia Studios in Nashville,” says Chris Hillman. ”It was truly a pivotal moment in our lives taking a turn toward the music we always felt a strong kinship with. We are honored that it has left a strong, long lasting impression on country and rock music. To celebrate this special time with Roger, Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives is such a blessing on this, the 50th anniversary of Sweetheart of the Rodeo.”
Roger McGuinn adds: "Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Sweetheart of the Rodeo with a group of my favorite musicians is an honor. I can't wait to be on stage with Chris Hillman, Marty Stuart and those Fabulous Superlatives! We're all looking forward to taking the fans through the back pages of the recording. The concert will include songs that led up to that ground breaking trip to Nashville and all the songs from the album."

Marty Stuart said about the influence the album had on him: “The Bryds' Sweetheart of the Rodeo recording stands as a milestone in American music. I bought my first copy of the record in 1972. Upon my first listen, I was mesmerized at the effect of the combined power Country music, Rock & Roll, Bluegrass, Gospel and Folk music had on me. From that day forward, I considered Sweetheart of the Rodeo a blueprint as to how I should live my musical life. It is truly an honor for me and the Superlatives to get to go out and play music from Sweetheart with Roger and Chris. We love and greatly admire both of them and I have to believe this is a show not to be missed.”

About Roger McGuinn:
Born in Chicago, Roger McGuinn began his professional musical career at age seventeen when the Limelighters drafted him after an evening of jamming with them at the Gate of Horn. They invited him to record on their first RCA album in Los Angeles. The Chad Mitchell Trio heard about his guitar and banjo talent and hired him as an accompanist. He toured with them for two years before Bobby Darin saw him playing and offered him a place in his show. After touring with singer Bobby Darin, McGuinn moved to New York where he worked in the fabled Brill Building, as a song writer. It was at the Brill Building where he first heard the Beatles and decided to add their rock beat to traditional folk songs. An invitation to open for Hoyt Axton at the Los Angeles club, The Troubadour, lead to the meeting with Gene Clark. The rest of the story is the history of the Byrds. The Byrds have been given credit for being in the forefront of Folk Rock, Psychedelic Rock and the ground breaking genre of Country Rock. McGuinn is a three time Grammy nominee and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his work with the Byrds.

About Chris Hillman:
A third generation native Californian, Chris Hillman launched his musical career in 1962 at age 18 with Bluegrass outfit the Scottsville Squirrel Barkers, followed by a stint with The Hillmen (with Vern and Rex Gosdin and Don Parmley). Over the course of the next three decades, he was a founding member of the Byrds, the Flying Burrito Brothers, Manassas, Souther Hillman Furay, McGuinn Clark Hillman, and the Desert Rose Band. He has recorded more than 65 albums over the last five decades. His most recent solo recording, last year’s Bidin’ My Time, was produced by Tom Petty. He is widely acknowledged as a seminal figure in the creation of country rock and an architect of American popular music. He is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and has been honored with lifetime achievement awards from the Americana Music Association and the San Diego Music Awards, a Mojo Roots Awards, and received BMI’s One Million Broadcast Radio Awards for “One Step Forward” and “Love Reunited.”

About Marty Stuart:
Marty Stuart is a platinum recording artist, lifetime crusader for American roots music, Grand Ole Opry star, country music archivist, photographer, musician, and songwriter.

2018 DATES
Sep 9
Kansas City, MO
Folly Theatre

Sep 12
Springfield , MO
Historic Gillioz Theatre

Sep 17
Albany, NY
The Egg at Empire State Plaza

Sep 18
Albany, NY
The Egg at Empire State Plaza
SOLD OUT

Sep 20
Hopewell, VA
The Beacon Theatre
SOLD OUT

Sep 24
New York, NY
Town Hall
SOLD OUT

Sep 26
Boston, MA
The Emerson Colonial Theatre

Oct 3
Akron, OH
Akron Civic Center

Oct 8
Nashville, TN
The Ryman Auditorium

Oct 10
Roanoke, VA
The Jefferson Center

Oct 15
Durham, NC
Durham Performing Arts Center

Oct 21
Atlanta, GA
Byers Theatre

More dates to be announced soon.

Sometimes you stumble upon something pretty rare on the web. Last week this happened to me.

I found this amazing footage of Chris , Herb, Bill and John performing at the Strawberry Music Festival in 1986 at youtube.The footage was shot with two camera's and was very good considering it's age. But... could there be more footage available.

Back in the day Desert Rose playes a lot of faires and festival. Most of the time there would be an akoustic set on the first day and a electric ( with Jaydee and Steve) on the other day. It could be fab if the uploader had maybe taped some of the electric show aswell. I decided to send him an email and he was kind enough to look for it in his archive

Amazingly I got great news!! He had and he taped the whole electric set too with two camera's . I almost wet my pants seeing this show appear on Youtube a couple of days later. This show is so rare considering there are only a handful of show from 1986 / 1987 and most of them are from TNN's Nashville Now.

The songs we have on tape are even more rare. An amazing rare rendition by John singing "Forgive and Forget", "My Baby's Gone" sung by Herb which appeared later on the "Pages of Life "album and songs like "Every Picture of You" and "Midnight Heart". For the Byrds lovers there is a version of "Rock and Roll Star" at the end of the show with Chris on bass and John doing a fabulous job on his Rickenbacker with great inprovasion bits from "Eight Miles High". Desert Rose was labaled often and the Chris Hillman Band these days when the band had yet had no record lable. They finally got signed after there performance at the Palamino.

Watch and enjoy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJqzV4S1Z0M&t=4401s

and the akoustic set by Chris, Herb Bill and John:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reyr7Qxdpi0&t=2250s

Many, Many thanks goes out to Dale Sonara for upping these shows. Thanks man!!

A few new tourdates for the year 2018 with Chris and Herb promoting the solo album of Chris. Unfortunately NO John Jorgenson so far.

Bindin'My time did very well in the charts so far.

Note: Chris will play a few dates with David Crosby (Byrds) in June.

Chris Hillman | Bidin’ My Time

Chris, Herb and John will play a few more dates together later this year.

Click below on the dates and order your HOT tickets now to see the guys LIVE performance. There will songs performed from Byrds, Desert Rose , Burritos and solo stuff. Their three part harmonies combined with the guitar skills of John are stunning.

Order your tickets now!!

John Jorgenson wll play a few extra dates with his Electric Band in Europe. The tour will mainly take place in Italy and one date in Switzerland.

With the John Jorgenson Electric Band, guitar fans will have the rare opportunity to hear master guitarist John Jorgenson play electric guitar with an incredible rhythm section that easily moves between rock, blues, country, and many other styles. The international ensemble connects at every stylistic and dynamic turn as they move through material equally arranged yet free for a lot of exciting group improvisation, giving Jorgenson a solid platform to exhibit the virtuosity that earned him a GRAMMY Award in 2008, ACM Guitarist of the Year three consecutive times, inclusion in Guitarist Magazine’s “100 Guitar Heroes” and “100 Most Influential Guitarists,” and Guitar Player Magazine’s “Album of the Year” with the Hellecasters.

Jorgenson is well-known as a preeminent gypsy jazz guitarist, and bluegrass mandolinist, but it’s his eclectic electric guitar playing that is featured in a John Jorgenson Electric Band live performance. Audiences can expect some amazing tones and dazzling fretwork on Jorgenson’s signature Fender model guitars. 

Joining Jorgenson in the John Jorgenson Electric Band configuration are three legendary musicians:

Alan Thomson is a Scottish bassist who has been playing bass with the John Jorgenson Electric Band since 2002. As a bass player, Thomson was another long-term member of John Martyn’s Band and an accomplished songwriter. His touring and writing credits include Jeff Beck, Robert Palmer, Rick Wakeman, Andy Summers, Bo Diddley, Denny Laine and Long John Baldry, John Jorgenson, and Jacqui McShee's Pentangle. 

Cesare Valbusa is an Italian drummer who has collaborated with Jorgenson since 2002. Valbusa was part of the band Rudy Rotta Blues in the 1980’s. He plays with various musicians including Love Lee, pianist of Muddy Waters; Karen Carroll; Louisiana Red and many more. Valbusa has recorded with artists like Bernardo Lanzetti (PFM), Bobby Solo, and Bruno Lightman and has collaborated with TM Stevens (T. Turner), Steve Logan (M. Petrucciani), James Burton (Elvis Presley), Johnny Hiland, Tommy Emmanuel and J. Concerts in America and Europa. 

Franz Bazzani is a skillful pianist and keyboard player. He plays different kinds of music: rock, funky, jazz and country with many bands. Bazzani has recorded with Luca Olivieri, a great country-guitar player well known all over Europe and has performed with many artists including Bobby Solo, Bruno Marini, James Burton, Jerry Donahue, Tommy Emmanuel and Johnny Hiland. Bazzani has collaborated with some of the best jazz musicians such as Enrico Rava, Mauro Ottolini, Zeno De Rossi, Danilo Gallo, Vincenzo Vasi, Paolo Botti, Dan Kinzelmann, Giovanni Guidi, Daniele Tittarelli, Dario Deidda, Ernesto Lopez Maturel, Marcello Giannini, Stefano Menato, Guido Bombardieri, Mauro Negri. 

The set list for John Jorgenson Electric Band live performances typically include songs by many of Jorgenson’s past bands and colleagues such as the Hellecasters, Elton John, the Desert Rose Band, and the Byrds, and by songwriters such as Rodney Crowell and Leonard Cohen, as well as Jorgenson’s original compositions and unique interpretation of classic songs. 

Source: John Jorgenson.com

Come to see them and enjoy!!

John Jorgenson Quintet

John Jorgenson Quintet

John Jorgenson Quintet

John Jorgenson Quintet Court Square Theater 41

John Jorgenson Quintet private event

John Jorgenson Quintet

J2B2 (John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band)

J2B2 (John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band)

J2B2 (John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band)

John Jorgenson Quintet

John Jorgenson Quintet

John Jorgenson Quintet

John Jorgenson Quintet

John Jorgenson with Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen

John Jorgenson with Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen

John Jorgenson with Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen

John Jorgenson Quintet private event

John Jorgenson at Rocky Mtn Guitar Camp

John Jorgenson at Rocky Mtn Guitar Camp

John Jorgenson at Rocky Mtn Guitar Camp

John Jorgenson at Rocky Mtn Guitar Camp

J2B2 (John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band) and John Jorgenson Quintet

John Jorgenson Electric Band

J2B2 (John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band)

J2B2 (John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band)

John Jorgenson Electric, Bluegrass and Quintet dates:

Unfortunately still no 2016 dates. We are hoping for a few akoustic shows later this year with Chris, Herb, John and Bill.

JayDee has put out his first solo-cd 'From where I Sit'. A few of the other DRB-members contributed to it. The CD is available as standard CD and as a backing track version.

Get it at the official website of JayDee:

http://jaydeemaness.com/new-cd.html

and

http://jaydeemaness.com/new-cd-bk-trks.html

"I have been so fortunate in my career to have worked with four of the very best steel guitarists in music; Jay Dee Maness, Tom Brumley, Lloyd Green and Sneaky Pete Kleinow. I'm truly honored to be a part of this fine album and to have a good friend like JayDee."
- Chris Hillman -

"This CD goes into my very small collection of 'the best of the best' albums."
- LLoyd Green -

"JayDee has the neatest way of getting from one note or harmony notes to another on the E9 tuning that separates him from everybody else."
- Buddy Emmons -

Happy NEW YEAR Folks!

On behalve of the Desert Rose Band we all wish you a wonderful New Year!

Finally after almost 29 years the DRB will play Europe on the 12th of July. They will be part of the Country festival in Breim, Norway. the John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band will also perform on the festival. Could not be better right...? This is a very special occasion to see the guys full electric and probably the last time in Europe. Book your tickets now!

More infore information: http://norskcountrytreff.no/ and http://norskcountrytreff.no/artistar/the-desert-rose-band/

Tickets here: http://norskcountrytreff.no/bestilling-av-billettar/

A new compilation album of the Desert Rose Band has been released by Curb. This album has similar songs as the Greatest Hits Album - A Dozen Roses, but is remastered and a great gift to get in touch with the music of the DRB.

Tracklist: 1. Love Reunited 2. One Step Forward3. He's Back And I'm Blue 4. Summer Wind 5. I Still Believe In You 6. She Don't Love Nobody 7. Hello Trouble 8. Start All Over Again 9. In Another Lifetime 10. Story Of Love

A very happy 2014 to you all! On behalf of myself and of course Chris, Herb, John JayDee, Steve and Bill a wonderful year. 2014 starts with some very special concerts of the DRB.

On the 9th of January the DRB (full line Up!) will be part of Albert Lee's 70th birthday party.

The show will feature special guest appearances by Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell, Peter Asher, Jerry Donahue of The Hellcasters, Lauence Juber, Jack Sh*t Band, Rosie Flores, and Scarlet Rivera, as well as surprise guest appearances.

The night will kick off with opening sets by Wild Ride and Johnny Oskam, beginning at 7 p.m. that will be followed by Albert Lee and friends at 9:00 p.m.

Lee has worked both in the studio and on tour with many famous musicians from a wide range of genres, including the Everly Brothers and Eric Clapton. He has also maintained a solo career of his own and is a noted composer and musical director. In addition to his 70th Birthday Celebration, Lee's next big projects include a solo album, documentary and concert project celebrating his illustrious career in music.

The year 2014 will bring a lot new DRB dates to you. Finally the guys will be heading to europe for a date in Norway on July 6th. For now it's uncertain if the show will be an electric show or akoustic show.

John and Herb worked hard to have their websites restyled and designed and the results are fabulous. Check out the results at http://www.johnjorgenson.com and http://herbpedersen.com

I'm looking for the possibility to give this website a huge facelift at some point nearby. Only spare time seems to be my worst enemy.

It seems the Bill, John, Chris and Herb are quite satisied with their current lineup. So far no electric tourdates this year. JayDee is voted for Pedal Guitar player of the year 2013! Congratulations to JayDee!

A few new dates are added to the tour-section. The Desert Rose Band will do a few akoustic shows (Chris, Herb, John and Bill) and a few electric shows with the whole group.

A live DVD or cd will be released at some point in time. No dates are confirmed. It will be great way to end the DRB legacy with.

Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2012!!

The Desert Rose Band will kick off January 2012 with a brand new series of Reunion dates! For now only three dates are yet confirmed by their management. These three dates are very special because the show will be akoustic. This means Chris, Herb, John and Bill will be heading the January shows. A great privilage to see these guys at their best. This means we willl probably see a different setlist compared to the dates from last years with JayDee and Steve. Blendid harmonies and spinechilling akoustic guitar and mandoline work from Chris and John with backing harmonies from Bill and Herb. Let's wait for some more dates later this year with all the guys included. More datails to follow.

Doug Johnson has put together a brand new Winter and Spring 2012 pasture catalog which can be found at chrishillman.com. This catalog features the finest products to support the DRB for a very reasonable price. Some of these articles are original items from the late eightees and are real 'collectors' goodies. The new 2012 Desert Rose Band T-shirt is also available and designed for the upcoming 2012 dates. Order yours now!

Desert Rose Band Fans recieved the following news from ChrisHillman.com:

Dear fans of Chris Hillman,

It's time again for Winter Pasture, the catalog from Chris Hillman's Bar None Bunkhouse of items we have in limited supplies and/or no longer produce. You'll see a few things from last year and a couple of new things.

On the Bar None Bunkhouse Store page you'll also see that we've got two new T-shirt designs as well as our new Flying Burrito Bros caps.

New shirts are:

• The latest Chris & Herb Bar None Wonder Tonic shirt, with the design inspired by the old "Patent Medicine" (or "Snake Oil") cures of the 19th and early 20th Centuries. This shirt has both front and back printing.
• The new Desert Rose Band shirt, featuring a classic design of a cowboy on a bucking bull.

We hope you enjoy the new designs, and that you'll find something you like in the new Winter Pasture catalog!

The Bar None Bunkhouse Gang

New Pictures and Review of the only DRB performance this year. Rocky Mountain Music Festival in Colorado turned out to be quite memorable. Jay Dee had to have surgery the day before showtime, so the DRB had no Pedal Guitarist and Chris played the mandolin a lot more to fill in the mssing parts of Jay Dee which is of course quite hard.. He also promised to be there next year with a few new DRB reunion shows!

It seems the concert at Rocky Mountain Music Festival on the 28th of August will be the only one this year.Tickets at http://www.therockymountainmusicfestival.com

Let's hope 2012 will be a better DRB year!

I removed the link to the DRB forum due too a lack of interest.

New Desert Rose Band Reunion 2011 date announced!

The Desert Rose Band will continue their succesfull Reunion series with a concert at Rocky Mountain Music Festival on the 28th of August. Tickets will be available from April 15th at http://www.therockymountainmusicfestival.com

Let's hope more Reunion dates will follow soon. Do not miss the chance to see these guys live. You will be blessed.

Desert Rose Band Fans recieved the following news from ChrisHillman.com:

Dear fans of Chris Hillman and The Desert Rose Band,

While cleaning out a drafty storage room at the Bar None Bunkhouse a few months ago, we came upon some items we didn't even know we had. Under an old reel of rusty barbed wire was an aged Arbuckle's Coffee box, marked "Old Biscuits for Recycling", but when it was opened we discovered a small stash of Byrds Fifth Dimension T-shirts in both long and short sleeve versions! These shirts were available for a few years on Chris' website and were discontinued, but we are happy to tell you that a few of them still exist after all, and they are available for you right now.

We also discovered the last lot of the cloisonné Desert Rose Band pins that came out in 1988, for the Running & Pages of Life tours! In addition, we still have a few posters from recent tours by Chris Hillman & Herb Pedersen, and some recent Desert Rose Band posters. Again, all of this stuff is no longer being made, but what we have left we're happy to sell. There are some other items, too, so take a look at our PDF catalog.

There are a few more dusty boxes still to go through, but we've gotta go buy a machete to cut through the cobwebs before we even think about opening those. We'll get to them eventually, and if there's anything we figure you all might be interested in, we'll let you know; who knows, the boxes might just contain old biscuits, but there might be treasure, too.

If you would like to see the complete catalogue, click here, where you will be able to download a PDF version of the catalogue. Please follow the instructions on the PDF document if you find something that you've just gotta have in your own bunkhouse.

Thanks for your continued support of Chris Hillman and his music, and keep checking the website!

Doug Johnson
Bar None Bunkhouse

Desert Rose Band Fans wishes everybody a blessed and wonderful 2011!

A studioperformance of Chris, Herb and John at WAMU Studios, Washington DC, CA is added to the tourdates 2010. This performance was done in the morning while the Birchmere show was in the evening. The show features an interessting setlist with nice rendition of the song 'Twilight is Gone' from the 'True Love' album. As far as I know this song never featured in the Reunion shows. But... it was played in the old heighdays with Bill and Herb on Dobro back in 1991 and stands out to be one of my favourite DRB songs. Let's see if they put in on the setlist. Link: 'Twilight is Gone'.

Chris joined John (JJQ) for two songs at the Grammy Museum on the 24th of January 2011. Let's hope the Desert Rose Band will do some new Reunion shows in 2011. According to various sources there are some plans, but nothing has yet been confirmed by their management. If they are published, they will appear on this site.

I also added a couple of missing 'old' tourdates from 1986 and 1987. Thanks to my friend Gary for the research. There are still a lot of missing dates, so any help is welcome and truly appreciated.

Chris Hillman & Herb Pedersen’s At Edwards Barn is a career retrospective, featuring songs from various aspects of their careers including such numbers as “Eight Miles High,” “Wait a Minute,” and the “Turn, Turn, Turn.” The album preserves a live concert performance that included songs from Chris Hillman’s days with bands such as The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and The Desert Rose Band. During some of those years Herb Pedersen was playing with many artists, including David Grisman and Jerry Garcia. Chris and Herb’s musical partnership creates a fresh take on some classics of the modern folk era.

Along with Hillman and Pedersen, the album features Bill Bryson on bass, Larry Parks on acoustic guitar and David Mansfield on fiddle. The band has an organic sound, as if each of the musicians were truly listening to each other and adjusting their contribution accordingly. Refreshing, to say the least.

The album includes live versions of 15 tunes that only touch on the contributions each has made to the American music scene. Of particular note: there are a couple of rarely performed masterpieces here too, including live versions of “Have You Seen Her Face,” “If I Could Only Win Your Love,” and Buck Owens’ “Together Again.”

At Edwards Barn sounds absolutely live and wonderful. Recording it (in 2009) at the intimate setting of Southern California’s Edwards Barn was a smart move; the acoustics there are outstanding and this quality transfers to the album. I wasn’t there that night at Edward’s Barn, but when I turn up the CD (not too loudly) I feel like I suddenly am.

These guys may have played these songs for years, but hearing them introduce them and play them for the live audience, it is clear they have found ways to keep them fresh. There’s nothing like having an audience to bring out the best in musicians that love what they do.

CD available at www.rounder.com

Link: Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen live at Edwards Barn

After eight 'sold old' shows the Desert Rose Band will take you back to the roots of Country Music for their final two dates at Copper Country Festival, Copper Mountain, CO on the 5th of September and The Ellen Theatre, Bozeman, MT on the 6th of September.

Don't miss the chance to see the guys in full action playing all their top-ten hits such as 'Ashes of Love', 'One Step Forward', 'Summer Wind', He's Back and I'm Blue and many great other ones. Once you have seen them, you will love them!

Tickets 'The Ellen Theater' HERE

So far the DRB had a great time. Sold out reunion shows and two more dates added in August and one in September. John Jorgenson was so nice to write a little review on his FACEBOOK page from the second day of their performance at the Birchmere. The first night ath the Birchmere was cancelled due to a storm and continious power outage.

QUOTE: "Wow, what an amazing show we had with the DRB at the Birchmere tonight!! Packed house and very enthusiastic audience, we played nearly 2 hours and signed for an hour afterwards.
Lots of friends and colleagues at the show, making for a very warm and fun evening for all."

The Desert Rose Band will play The Mystic Theatre, Petaluma, CA on the 29th of May and Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, CT on the 5th of August 2010.

Doug Johnson, The Desert Rose Band merchandise director, is going to have new things for sale through Chris Hillman's DRB site. For the Reunion Tour 2010 Doug already designed a very new DRB t-shirt which is available now.

Check out here!!

The Desert Rose Band will play Buck Owens famous Crystal Palace on the 27th of May.

Finally great news for all the Desert Rose Band friends. The guys planned a few dates coming year. The tour will kick off in May 2010. Till now we have five confirmed dates, which also can be seen on John Jorgenson's website. www.johnjorgenson.com

Hopefuly more dates to follow. Check out the dates and venues at the "Tourdates" section.

A new audience recording was discovered by my friend Gary. The Desert Rose Band live at Coyote Joe's, Charlotte, NC. So far it's the only 1992 bootleg from the DRB with an electric show. Most of the year were akoustic ones, so this is a warm welcome. Night after Night was played and Chris also mentioned the preparations for the Life Goes On album.

Some new articles added to the Press/Articles section and some 'old' dates. Thanks Gary for your input.

At Chris Hillman.com's guestbook I read the DRB is considering some new Reunion dates later this year. Nothing is yet confirmed by Chris or his management. Due too the busy shedules of John Jorgenson, Herb and Chris we can imagine it's not easy for the guys to fit in a few dates.

We hope to receive some info soon. The last dates in 2008 were a 'blast' for the DRB.

Tom Brumley, famed pedal steel guitarist with Buck Owens' Buckaroos, Rick Nelson and the Desert Rose Band (1991-1994) passed away today in Texas. He was 73 years old.

Brumley was renowned in the steel world for playing the solo on Owens' "Together Again", a heart-felt ballad of reconciliation punctuated by the beautiful melodic solo that perfectly captured the sentiment of the lyric. Much like George Harrison's "Something" the solo is so intrinsic to the song that it sounds wrong if a band covers the tune and does not at least nod to the original.

Brumley's father, Albert E. Brumley, wrote the gospel classic "I'll Fly Away". Only drummer Willie Cantu is still left from the original Buckaroos line-up, a combo that is largely acknowledged to be among the finest road bands to ever perform.

The Desert Rose Band were part of the 1987's action movie Steele Justice from director Robert Boris. The DRB did "Love Reunited" and "One That Got Away".

So far this seems to be the only footage from the song "One That Got Away" available, but it seems likely the song featured in the unedited Austin City Limits performance from 1987.

For those who love the 'Tourdates' section on this site, I added some dates from 1993 to the site. Reviews/ Articles can now be watched at the 'Memorabilia' section.

Pictures of the Copper Mountain gig are added to the site. You will find them at tourdates>2008>copper mountain.

In a recent interview at the Copper show in Colorado (08/31/2008), Chris Hillman said: "If all goes well, the DRB might record a live album at Buck Owen’s Crystal Palace in Bakersfield, CA".

There is no date confirmed when this show will take place.

Great News!! The Desert Rose Band will be 'live' on the radio and internet on the third of October. 107.5 FM KPIG will broadcast the concert from The Catalyst, Santa Cruz, CA.

Could this be the taped show where the fans will see a 'live release' from next year?

Check out "The Catalyst" or "KPIG 105.7 FM" for more detailed info.

Update: due to licensing agreements the DRB won’t be simulcast on KPIG.

So far the Desert Rose Band played three succesfull, sold out concerts in August. The reviews we got were very positive and the crowd loved the Reunion. This surely asks for more concerts. Hopefully the guys will add some gigs to their tour. They really enjoyed themselves playing with each other. If you have tickets from The Belly Up Tavern, Coach House or Copper Festival; Please scan them and mail them to me.

Just two more days and the DRB will kick off there Reunion tour at the Belly Up in Solano Beach, LA.The guys will play material from there first three albums. This will be the first time in fifteen since they last played together.

For fans of all ages, there is nothing to compare to the rich sounds of live music when the songs are timeless and the performers are at the top of their game.The Desert Rose Band’s sterling musicianship and impeccable three-part harmonies, from country to bluegrass to Bakersfield, promise to deliver a not-to-be-missed reunion tour.

On the sites of Chris Hillman, Herb Pedersen and John Jorgenson are four dates planned for the "Reunion" concerts. The rehearsals for the concerts will take place on the 25th and 26th of August.

Planned dates:

• 08/27/2008 - Belly Up, Solana Beach, CA
  
• 08/28/2008 - The Coach House, San Juan Capistrano, CA
• 08/31/2008 - Copper Country Festival, Copper Mountain, CO
• 10/04/2008 - Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, San Francisco, CA

We don't know if the last albums "True Love" and "Life Goes On" will be incorparated in the upcoming shows.

The Desert Rose Band will reunite for a few concerts this year. Very little is know about this yet, but we can confirm that all six original members will be playing songs from the first three albums 'Desert Rose Band', 'Running' and 'Pages Of Life'. The Desert Rose Band called their quits in 1994 after starting in 1986. John Jorgenson made a guest-apperance at the Station Inn on the 2nd of May joining his old bandmates Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen.

A proper live CD/DVD release is discussed, but no futher info is confirmed.

Welcome the the first unofficial Desert Rose Band fansite on the internet. The Desert Rose Band, which is Chris Hillman, Herb Pedersen, John Jorgenson, JayDee Maness, Steve Duncan and Bill Bryson, has been a major influence in the country scene in the late eightees and ninetees. The band were often entitled as the inventers of the name Country-Rock, which wasn't appreciated by everyone.

During the years the Desert Rose Band were at their peak, topping the country-charts with several number one hits, they produced six succesfull albums and a Greatest Hits album proving they were and are one of the best musicians around. After seeing many Byrds-related fansites on the web, the idea raised to design a site for the fans and friends of the Desert Rose Band. This site represents the unique quality this band stands for and gives them the credits they deserve.

I hope everybody who is connected to the DRB will enjoy this site. All information connected to the DRB is welcome. Updates will be shown frequently!