The Dillards

The Dillards was a country music and bluegrass band, Doug Dillard (1937-2012) and Rodney Dillard ( b. 1942 ) in Salem, Missouri, was founded.

The brothers Doug and Rodney played in the years 1956-1959 in the youth band Ozark Mountain Boys. Along with Dean Webb (mandolin ) and Mitch Jayne ( bass) they formed in 1962, the quartet The Dillards. They tried to take on the west coast walk and came there with the "progressive" country scene in Contact ( Dean Webb later arranged the harmonies for " Mr.Tambourine Man" the Byrds ). Their first album " Back Porch Bluegrass " still appeared at the end of 1962, followed by the live album " Live ... Almost ". In 1964, she had performed together and toured in 1965 with the Byrds. The third album, " Pickin 'and Fiddlin ' " an instrumental album with Byron Berline fiddle appeared.

Doug Dillard left the group and was replaced by Herb Petersen. The albums " Copperfields " and " Wheatstraw Suite" which represent a musical turning point for the "new" country music with orchestral sound, electric and pedal steel drums (Paul York).

The biggest sales success the album " Roots and Branches" in 1972 ( Billy Ray Lathum replaced Herb Petersen ).

With ever changing cast Rodney led the group until the end of the 1990s.