Chris Hillman & Herb Pedersen after their performance at Uncle Pen Days during it’s 2007 run in Bean Blossom, IN. Photo by Rickey Lamb.

I remember the first time I attended a festival at Bean Blossom, back in the early 80s. It was an absolutely thrilling experience. Bill Monroe was still alive, Mac Wiseman was making regular visits, and of course Ralph Stanley was and still is a staple there.

The initial feeling that impressed me most was the accessibility of the artists. Anyone could go up and talk to any performer they wanted to. This is so different from any other genres of music where its like pulling eye-teeth to get a backstage pass, let alone, access to the artist. The next thing I observed was the apparently infinite knowledge, bluegrass fans had, of the history of this art form. Bluegrass fans know who played with whom, and when, why and where it all happened.

Throughout the years and visits to Bean Blossom and many more bluegrass festivals, my attitude has not waned from those early perceptions. For me those preliminary sentiments reached a pinnacle last year at Uncle Pen Days, in Bean Blossom, Indiana.

I got to spend a few moments with two of my musical heroes, Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen. This was the first time the two of them played the fest together. Herb had been at the festival back in 1967 when he played with Joe Stuart and Bobby Hicks, and had never returned to the famed Indiana site. Chris had never been to the festival location and mentioned he didn’t know what to expect.

They both had recently returned from Lexington Kentucky where they had performed on the Woodsongs Old-Time Radio Hour. For those who may be interested this is show number 455 in the archives at www.woodsongs.com. Some of the same tunes they showcased with an acoustic presentation at Uncle Pen Days were included in the Woodsongs Old-Time Radio Hour performance.

What can be said about these two guys that havent already been said? Chris Hillman was in the Scottsville Squirrel Barkers, the Byrds, the Flying Burrito Brothers, Manassas, and Souther Hillman Furay. Herb Pedersen had been with Smoky Grass Boys, the Dillards, Laurel Canyon Ramblers, and has had an illustrious career as a sideman with the likes of John Denver and Emmylou Harris.

Chris Hillman & Herb Pedersen on stage at Uncle Pen Days during it’s 2007 run in Bean Blossom, IN. Photo by Rickey Lamb. Chris Hillman & Herb Pedersen at 2007 Uncle Pen Days Festival. Photo by Rickey Lamb.For more information on Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen, visit them online. Chris’ Website is: chrishillman.com and Herb Pedersen can be found online at: herbpedersen.com.

They met back in the early 60s, fresh out of high school, leading them in later years to form the legendary Desert Rose Band. They also teamed up with the Rice Brothers on some outstanding discs as well as some duet discs.

I dont have enough space in this article to tell all the people these two guys have played with and who they have in return influenced. I can tell you how much I have looked up to both of them and how thrilled I was to interact with them for a few moments. Another thing I can tell you is what terrific guys they are and how unbelievably personable they are.

I was able to spend quite a while talking to both Hillman and Pedersen. It was a tag teamed few moments because several festival-goers wanted to meet these two legends. I had mentioned to Chris that the first time I saw him perform was in 1972 with Manassas, about 20 miles from Bean Blossom, in Bloomington, Indiana. When I mentioned to Chris that he filled in on bass that night because Fuzzy Samuels was sick, he asked, How’d I do? What kind of question is that? When has Chris Hillman even done an inadequate job? I emphatically responded with, Terrific.

His memories of the Flying Burrito Brothers are mixed. He feels the Burritos became a much stronger performing unit post Gram Parsons. His observation was, the performance of the Burritos of the Last of the Red-Hot Burritos era was much stronger than the early days of the band.

In talking to Chris and Herb it is evident they both have a strong affection for the Desert Rose Band and what they accomplished. Chris stated, “I would put them up against any band in Nashville. Desert Rose tore up the country charts in the late 80s and early 90s.” I was privileged to see Desert Rose Band in their prime in Peoria, Illinois during the Heart of Illinois Fair. It cost a dollar to get in and see the show. I am here to proclaim that is the best buck I ever spent. What an unbelievable show!

It is interesting to note this landmark band has recently reformed for some stellar performances around the country. In a current conversation with Richie Furay, a rock and roll hall of famer and fellow band mate of Souther Hillman Furay, he mentioned seeing them recently and noted how Hot, they were as a band. This is not bad accolades from someone who is an originator of the country-rock sound along with musicians like Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen.

Herb Pedersen’s memories of the early days of the festival park were interesting. He stated in those days you had to be asked to play the fest. He was also some of the privileged few who got in on some of the physical labor of the park that Bill Monroe was so noted for inspiring in visiting musicians. “In those days the stage was right by the road,” Herb mentioned with that thought-filled look that was taking him back 40 years.

In my discussion with Herb he gave a lot of detail how he and Chris met and the history of the two. They met around 1963, fresh out of high school, in the Los Angeles area, and both embraced bluegrass. Chris was from the San Diego area and loved the more progressive sounds of Flatt and Scruggs. Herb, from the San Francisco bay area, embraced the more traditional sounds of Jimmy Martin and Bill Monroe.

When talking to them both, it is easy to tell the affection they have for one another, as well as being musical collaborators. I asked Herb why he doesnt play more banjo in his shows, and he, grinning at Chris stated, “Chris doesn’t like banjo.” This statement brought a great deal of laughter.

When I asked Herb who his banjo heroes are he said, “Earl Scruggs, Sonny Osborne and J.D.Crowe. I think J.D. plays better now than when he was with Jimmy Martin.” He also mentioned he really liked Reno and Smiley.

I asked him about his Old and in the Grey contribution, replacing Jerry Garcia. He felt Peter Rowan was singing as good as ever and their harmonies blended well together. He also talked about that whenever he thinks about bluegrass harmonies, he wonders what Jesse McReynolds would think of what he was doing.

For those who have never been to a bluegrass festival, go to one. For those who have been to any festivals, go to more of them.

One of the finest festivals in the country is starting this week, Uncle Pen Days runs Sept. 24 – 27 in Bean Blossom, Indiana. Go there and soak up the beauty of the land, enjoy the music and meet new friends. Just like it happened to me last year, you might be able to spend a little time with some of your musical heroes.