Sons of the Desert formed as a contemporary country outfit leaning toward country-rock, and they issued their first album, Whatever Comes First, during June 1997. The ensemble began life in 1989 as a bluegrass unit based in Waco, TX, whose founding members were students at McClennon Community College. Bassist Doug Virden anchored that early configuration, which soon drew the interest of Drew Womack; he came aboard in 1990 on lead vocals and rhythm guitar. Three years afterward the musicians moved their base to Dallas, TX. Not long after the relocation, drummer Brian Westrum and keyboardist Scott Saunders entered the fold, and the arrival of Drew’s older brother Tim on lead guitar completed the definitive roster.
For roughly two years the group worked the local circuit of dance halls, honky tonks, and night clubs, sharpening a sound that merged country-rock energy with contemporary country textures. That sustained club activity eventually led to interest from major labels, resulting in a contract with Columbia Records. In the studio the band collaborated with producers Doug Johnson and Johnny Slate. Whatever Comes First balanced original material written by Drew Womack—frequently in tandem with Steve Pippin, Pat MacDonald, or Tom Douglas—against songs supplied by outside writers such as Radney Foster, Charlie Black, and Phil Vassar. The album appeared in June 1997. A second collection, Change, followed in mid-2000.
