Vern & Ray with Herb Pedersen - San Francisco - 1968

Although both originally from Arkansas, Vern & Ray got together in 1959 to front the first bluegrass band in Northern California. With changing personnel they played together until 1974, during which time they made an indelible mark on the development and future of bluegrass music in California. Landmark California musicians never hesitate to wax poetic and heartfelt on the incredible influence Vern & Ray had on them. This live recording captures them at their peak at the San Francisco Folk Festival. Vern Williams (mandolin & vocals), Ray Park (guitar, fiddle & vocals), Herb Pedersen (banjo & vocals), Howard Courtney (bass)Tracks: Band intro / 20 Second Rag / How Many Times / Muleskinner Blues (Blue Yodel No. 8) / Sweet Fern / intro / The Leather Britches / I Wonder Where You Are Tonight / Little Georgia Rose / The Buckin' Mule / The Bottle Let Me Down / Ode To The Little Brown Shack / Poor Ellen Smith / Hard Times / The Touch of God's Hand / On My Mind / Orange Blossom Special..