One of the more influential bands back in the 1980’s was The Desert Rose Band, which included John Jorgenson on guitar and Herb Pedersen on banjo. In 1985 the Desert Rose Band’s self-titled debut album immediately established them as a group who were fiercely loyal to country music but not afraid to make it their own with a fusion of bluegrass and California country rock.
From the outset, The Desert Rose Band stayed at the top of the country charts with a string of hit songs beginning with the Johnnie & Jack cover “Ashes of Love.” With collaborator Steve Hill, Chris Hillman penned the group’s smash hits, “Love Reunited,” Summer Wind,” “One Step Forward, “I Still Believe in You,” and “Start All Over Again.” Other hits included “He’s Back and I’m Blue (written by Michael Woody) and the John Hiatt cover, “She Don’t Love Nobody.” They have won three Academy of Country Music Awards and has received several nominations from the Country Music Association and the Grammys.
These days John (now featured on mandolin) has formed a wonderful bluegrass band along with Herb, John Randall (guitar) and Mark Fain (bass). Like the Desert Rose Band Acoustic a couple years ago, this promises to be a real Joe Val treat.
