Interview with Herb Pederson, July 17, 2006
Project: Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum Oral History Project
Interview Summary
Herb Pederson, a notable banjoist, begins the interview by discussing his childhood and musical background. A Bay Area native, Pederson got his start in music through playing folk tunes in the burgeoning 1960s San Francisco music scene. Pederson's leap from playing rock music to becoming more involved in bluegrass is examined. Pederson recalls his early music career as a teenager, including gigs and learning to play the guitar and the banjo. After high school, Pederson moved to Los Angeles to partake in the bluegrass music scene in southern California. Pederson explains how he attained success in the Los Angeles bluegrass market. Pederson then transitions to discussing his work in Nashville with the Dillards and Flatt and Scruggs. Pederson explains how he restored a recording of his band playing at the 1968 San Francisco Folk Festival with the help of his family. Additionally, Pederson talks of his work on instrumentals and movies and television shows in Hollywood. Pederson recalls touring with notable bands in the 1970s, including John Denver. Pederson details his songwriting process. Pederson describes playing in the Desert Rose Band and the Laurel Canyon Ramblers during the 1980s and 1990s, respectively. Pederson also talks of a Jerry Garcia tribute band he played in called Old & in the Gray. Pederson discusses his work in a band called Rice, Rice, Hillman & Pederson. Pederson's career over the years is explored. Pederson describes some modern trends in bluegrass music. Pederson illustrates his future career in music and offers advice to young bluegrass musicians. Pederson concludes the interview with a reflection on his ideal musical legacy.Interview Accession
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Interview Keyword
Country music Bluegrass music Banjos Banjo players The Dillards (Artist) Flatt and Scruggs (Artist) Recording sessions Live performances John Denver (Artist) Songwriting The Desert Rose Band (Artist) Laurel Canyon Ramblers (Artist) Jerry Garcia (Artist) Old & in the Gray (Artist) Rice, Rice, Hillman & Pederson (Artist) Tony Rice (Artist) Earl Scruggs (Artist) TrendsInterview Rights
All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.Interview Usage
Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.Restriction
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All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.
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Pederson, Herb Interview by George McKight. 17 Jul. 2006. Lexington, KY: Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.
Pederson, H. (2006, July 17). Interview by G. McKight. Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum Oral History Project. Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries, Lexington.
Pederson, Herb, interview by George McKight. July 17, 2006, Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum Oral History Project, Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.
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