Great Plains

Great Plains coalesced in the closing years of the 1980s around vocalist/guitarist Jack Sundrud, bassist Denny Dadmun-Bixby, drummer Michael Young, and pedal-steel player Russ Pahl. Their work as Michael Johnson’s touring backing band drew the attention of producer Brent Maher, who quickly offered them a publishing deal through his company. Columbia issued the band’s self-titled debut in 1991, which contained the hit singles “A Picture of You” and “Faster Gun.” An opening slot for Garth Brooks supplied further visibility. Following the 1993 departures of Pahl and Young, Columbia dropped the group from its roster. Sundrud nevertheless reassembled the remaining members and oversaw the 1996 release of Homeland on Magnatone, writing or co-writing every one of its twelve songs. Great Plains soon slipped from view, yet Sundrud continued performing, touring as bassist with Poco and appearing on the country-rock veterans’ 2002 comeback album, Running Horse.