He may not have traveled as far and wide as the travel writer
Bill Bryson, but the bluegrass musician of the same name has certainly gotten around with various stints in groups such as the
Desert Rose Band, the
Laurel Canyon Band, the
Dillards, and the
Grateful Dudes.
Bryson is a bassist but like many such instrumentalists in the bluegrass genre his vocal talents are also put to use in both lead vocals and tenor harmonies.
Bryson's first important professional gig was with the
Bluegrass Cardinals. He eventually developed a longstanding relationship with
Chris Hillman, one of the original members of the
Byrds and
Flying Burrito Brothers whose career took a completely country course.
Bryson was one of
Hillman's favorite bassists for his
Desert Rose band, and the two also worked together with the excellent picker
Herb Peterson.
While
Bryson has done Nashville sessions and worked with players such as
Tony Rice, who stresses instrumental virtuosity and flash, the bassist is more associated with the California scene, its mellow melodic strains, country rock overtones and laid-back rhythms. Easily the most relaxed recordings he appears are on several
Ry Cooder soundtracks, even doing a little bit of banjo picking as part of the incidental music for The Long Riders.
Bryson is also an accomplished songwriter who has had plenty of his compositions covered by other artists, including country queen
Patsy Cline. The most well-known of
Bryson's original songs is "The Girl at the Crossroads Bar," recorded by the
Grateful Dead as well as the
Laurel Canyon Ramblers.
–
Eugene Chadbourne, Rovi