Southern Pacific formed in 1983 around vocalist
Tim Goodman, guitarist
John McFee, drummer
Keith Knudsen, bassist
Jerry Scheff, and keyboardist Glenn D. Hardin. Both
McFee and
Knudsen were ex-
Doobie Brothers; this
rock & roll background would continue to tarnish for some the band's
country-rock sound. Despite the adversity,
Southern Pacific secured a deal with Warner, who issued its self-titled debut in 1985. A mixed bag, the album featured
Tom Petty-penned rock songs alongside more countrified material from songwriters like
Rodney Crowell. Former
CCR bassist
Stu Cook replaced
Scheff after the first record;
Kurt Howell, who had played with
Crystal Gayle, took
Hardin's place behind the keyboard. The refurbished
Southern Pacific lineup issued Killbilly Hill in 1986, and the album's cover of
Bruce Springsteen's "Pink Cadillac" was a minor hit.
Goodman departed then, to be replaced by vocalist
David Jenkins. He was onboard for 1988's Zuma, which included
Southern's biggest hit, "New Shade of Blue," but left soon after, leaving only
McFee,
Knudsen,
Cook, and
Howell. The quartet issued County Line in 1989, but it was
Southern Pacific's last gasp. Warner released a final greatest-hits collection in 1991.
McFee and
Knudsen returned to
the Doobies;
Cook toured with
Doug Clifford as Cosmo's Factory; and
Howell formed a group called
Burnin' Daylight. ~ Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide
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Killbilly Hill/County Line
County Line