Fifty years ago the Byrds set out on an ambitious path to deeper explore the country music they had flirted
with on previous records with “Sweetheart of the Rodeo”. In addition to introducing Gram Parsons to a larger
audience, it was the first country rock record to be recorded by an established rock act. In addition to the
legions of established fans, the record continues to open the eyes of new generations to country music.
Recorded in March of 1968 in Nashville, TN and April of the same year in Los Angeles, the original record
utilized the amazing steel guitar talents of Lloyd Green (Nashville) and Jay Dee Maness (LA), both established
session musicians. The freshness of their playing added not only a authenticity to the sessions, but opened
the eyes of a whole new audience to the sound of the pedal steel guitar.
50 years later, the original steel guitarists reunited to make a stunning instrumental tribute to this groundbreaking record “Journey to the Beginning”. Recorded at the legendary Cinderella Sound in Nashville, the
record captures the original spirit of “Sweetheart”, while adding the refinement
and seasoning of 50 years of reflection on the project. The record closes
with a rousing vocal version of “You Ain’t Going Nowhere” with
Jim Lauderdale, Herb Pedersen, Richie Furay and Jeff Hanna.
Please join us on this “Journey to the Beginning”.
