Southern Pacific

Southern Pacific came together in 1983, built around vocalist Tim Goodman, guitarist John McFee, drummer Keith Knudsen, bassist Jerry Scheff, and keyboardist Glenn D. Hardin. McFee and Knudsen had previously played in the Doobie Brothers, a rock pedigree that some listeners felt colored the group’s country-rock approach. The band nevertheless landed a contract with Warner, which put out their self-titled debut album in 1985. That record mixed Tom Petty-penned rock numbers with more countrified songs from writers such as Rodney Crowell. After the first release, former CCR bassist Stu Cook took over for Scheff while Kurt Howell, previously a member of Crystal Gayle’s band, replaced Hardin on keyboards. With this revised lineup, Southern Pacific released Killbilly Hill in 1986; its cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Pink Cadillac” became a minor hit. Goodman then exited and was succeeded by vocalist David Jenkins. Jenkins appeared on 1988’s Zuma, which contained the band’s biggest success, “New Shade of Blue,” yet he departed shortly afterward, reducing the group to McFee, Knudsen, Cook, and Howell. The remaining quartet issued County Line in 1989, after which Southern Pacific disbanded. Warner issued a final greatest-hits collection in 1991. McFee and Knudsen rejoined the Doobies, Cook toured with Doug Clifford under the name Cosmo’s Factory, and Howell started the band Burnin’ Daylight.