Yesterday a very nice woman named Amy sent me a note through messenger asking me (since I've been playing country music 40 years LOL),  if I knew of a country band "named after a railroad or something"  from many years ago.  She said her mom loved them, but she passed a few years ago and the family wanted to find out who they were. 

Amy, that's an easy one, Southern Pacific is the group you're looking for.  And even though they didn't have HUGE success, they recorded some really fantastic songs.  They were simply way ahead of their time. Many hard core country fans may not have been completely ready for them in the mid-1980's.  Their sound was reminiscent of the Eagles many thought at the time.

SP, were former members of the Doobie Brothers, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Pablo Cruise, all rock bands from the 1970's.  Members came and went from the band during their run. As I remember, there were many members. They also had some affiliation with Tom Petty who wrote some songs for them, and Emmylou Harris sang with them on records and at some shows. They were exceptionally talented musicians and their harmonies were enviable.

They never had a number one, but should have.  They charted a bunch of great songs, including, Honey I Dare You #5, Thing About You, #14 (written by Petty)  New Shade Of Blue #2, and there were many, many others.  Any Way The Wind Blows, was in the Clint Eastwood movie Pink Cadillac and I think that song was a work of art, as it went to #4. That should have been a slam dunk #1. I felt it was one of the really great country performances of the decade,  (1989). I also felt that song was a great example how far country had come since the start of the 80's, and songs like this set the stage for what was next in country, as every river needs a bridge.  They disbanded in the early 1990's.

Any Way The Wind Blows   (Yeah, the video looks like the 80's LOL)  But take a listen and turn it up! (Harmonies!!)

They were in the same league as The Desert Rose Band and others in that era.  Really talented players and singers and great music. Country was just not ready for them at the time for gigantic success. We had a band already, it was Alabama, and they were king!

Thanks for the memory, Amy.   It was good to look back on Southern Pacific.  They were great! And I was a fan!