The Dillards February 27, 2009

Mayberry’s favorite hillbilly band The Dillards play The Palms this evening. Yes The Dillards are the band that Andy Griffith knew was the perfect fit for his legendary show “The Andy Grifith Show,” and so it was the Doug and Rodney Dillard became the core of the “Darling Family” as they were known on the show. The Dillards however were, and are, much more than a mere television concoction or as they were one of the earliest of bands that became well known in folk music and string band circles in the early 60’s. They released five lps on Elektra Records and were an influence on many musicians that followed them, including STEVE MARTIN, ELTON JOHN, (they were his opening act, at his request, on his first full American Tour in 1970) JOHN McEUEN(Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), DON HENLEY (The Eagles), EMMY LOU HARRIS, and many others. Rodney and Doug went their separate ways a time or two, and each formed separate bands, but always kept in touch, and periodically played together during the 1970's through the 1990's. In 2002, DOUG AND RODNEY reunited as THE DILLARDS, bringing GEORGE GIDDENS in on mandolin and fiddle, and PETE LORTZ on Bass. The 4 piece all acoustic sound is still there-- as is the "country humor" and "blood on blood" harmonies that the brothers were so good at way-back-when! In their nearly 50 Year Professional Career, THE DILLARDS, can still "bring it" from the "back porch" to the concert halls, TO YOU!!

http://www.the-dillards.com/

Official Website: http://palmsplayhouse.com