A very nice woman named Amy sent me a note through messenger asking me if I knew of a country band “named after a railroad or something” from many years ago. She said her mom loved them, but she passed a few years ago and she wanted to find out who they were.

Their Big Single  (With Emmylou Harris)

Amy, that’s an easy one, Southern Pacific is the group you’re looking for. And even though they didn’t have HUGE success, they recorded fantastic songs. In short, they were simply way ahead of their time. Many hard core country fans may not have been completely ready for them in the late 1980’s. Their sound was reminiscent of the Eagles many thought at the time.

Their First Top Ten Song

SP, had an amazing pedigree, as they were former members of the Doobie Brothers, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Pablo Cruise, all rock bands from the 1970’s.  They also had some affiliation with Tom Petty who wrote some songs for them, and Emmylou Harris sang with them on a few songs and at some shows. They were beyond exceptionally talented musicians and their harmonies were enviable and still are today.

#5 Hit – Fans Loved It

They never had a number one, but they charted a bunch of great songs.  Any Way The Wind Blows, was in the Clint Eastwood movie Pink Cadillac and I think that song was a work of art, it went to #4. That should have been a slam dunk #1. I also feel it was one of the really great country performances of that decade. It was also an example how far country had come since the start of the 80’s, and songs like this set the stage for what was next in country, as every river needs a bridge. They disbanded in the early 1990’s.

Any Way The Wind Blows  This is a GEM! (Listen)

They were in the same league as The Desert Rose Band and others in that era. Exceptionally talented players and singers and great music. Country was just not quite ready for them at that moment. We had a band already, it was Alabama, and they were king!

Their Biggest Hit  #2

Thanks for the memory!  They were great!