John Jorgenson To Be CMHOFM Next ‘Nashville Cats’ Honoree

/by

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is featuring musician John Jorgenson in its “Nashville Cats” interview series on Aug. 8 at 2:30 p.m. in the museum’s Ford Theater.

“Nashville Cats” spotlights renowned musicians and session singers who have played important roles in support of artists in either the recording studio or on concert tours. The interview will be moderated by museum writer-editor Jon Freeman and will be illustrated with rare photos, film and recordings. After the program, Jorgenson will sign commemorative Hatch Show Print posters.

Jorgenson’s versatile guitar playing and inventive arrangements injected fresh energy into country music in the 1980s and 1990s, both with the Desert Rose Band and as a sought-after session player. Raised in Redlands, California by musical parents, Jorgenson had learned piano, clarinet, ukulele and guitar before he was a teen and later began playing professionally at Disneyland.

After becoming involved with Southern California’s rockabilly and country scene, he formed the Desert Rose Band with former Byrds and Flying Burrito Brothers member Chris Hillman. With Jorgenson providing musical arrangements, the group released five albums between 1987 and 1993, scoring seven top ten country hits, including the No. 1 songs “He’s Back and I’m Blue” and “I Still Believe in You.”

In 1990, Jorgenson formed the Hellecasters with guitarists Jerry Donahue and Will Ray, who together released three albums that centered a dazzling triple lead guitar attack. As a session musician, he provided guitar on albums by Mary Chapin Carpenter, Carlene Carter, Kenny Chesney, John Prine, Bonnie Raitt and many others. In addition to his session work, Jorgenson served as musical director for the TV programs Hot Country Nights and Delta. He won the Academy of Country Music’s Guitarist of the Year award in 1990, 1991 and 1992. In 1994, Jorgenson joined Elton John’s band and accompanied the British superstar live and on album for six years. Currently, he performs with his “gypsy jazz” group, the John Jorgenson Quintet.

Nashville Cats is included with museum admission and free to museum members. Seating is limited, and a program ticket is required for admittance. Tickets are on sale now here.

Lorie Hollabaugh
Latest posts by Lorie Hollabaugh (see all)