One Flew South

One Flew South, the Nashville-based country-rock harmony trio drawing from the Eagles, Poco, and Crosby, Stills & Nash while folding in touches of Alabama and the Beach Boys, first took shape in New York City. El Paso-born Royal Reed and New Orleans-born Chris Roberts connected there during the 1998 Broadway run of the musical The Civil War. Country vocal legend Larry Gatlin, who also performed in the production, served as a mentor to both singers and urged them to add a third voice. South Carolina-born singer and songwriter Eddie Bush completed the lineup, and One Flew South was officially established in 2005. The group cut demos that were soon taken to Decca Records; the label signed the trio and booked sessions with producer Marcus Hummon and a crack session band. Decca released the resulting debut album, Last of the Good Guys, in 2008.