{{Short description|American bluegrass band}} {{Use American English|date=November 2022}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}} {{About|the band|the department store chain|Dillard's}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = The Dillards | image = The Dillards 1977.JPG | landscape = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank --> | alt = | caption = The band in 1977 | alias = | origin = Salem, Missouri, U.S. | genre = {{Flatlist| * Progressive bluegrass<ref name=Huey/> * country rock<ref name=Huey>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-dillards-mn0000788568/biography |title=The Dillards Biography |last=Huey |first=Steve |publisher=AllMusic|access-date=November 13, 2022}}</ref> }} | years_active = 1963–present | label = | website = {{URL|http://www.RodneyDillard.tv}} | current_members = {{unbulleted list | Rodney Dillard | Beverly Cotton-Dillard | }} | past_members = }}
'''The Dillards''' are an American bluegrass and country rock band from Salem, Missouri.<ref name=Huey/> They are notable for being among the first bluegrass groups to have electrified their instruments,<ref>[http://www.richieunterberger.com/wheat.html Liner Notes for The Dillards' ''Wheatstraw Suite'']</ref> and they are considered to be pioneers of country rock and progressive bluegrass.<ref name=Huey/> In 2022, the band was inducted into the Bill Monroe Bluegrass Hall of Fame.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lawless |first1=John |title=The Dillards inducted into the Bill Monroe Bluegrass Hall of Fame |url=https://bluegrasstoday.com/the-dillards-inducted-into-the-bill-monroe-bluegrass-hall-of-fame/ |website=bluegrasstoday.com |date=October 14, 2022 |publisher=Bluegrass Today |access-date=15 March 2025}}</ref>
==Biography== The band was originally brothers Doug Dillard and Rodney Dillard, plus Mitch Jayne and Dean Webb. They had had some successful singles in Missouri and moved to Los Angeles in 1962.<ref name=bluegrasshall>{{cite web |title=The Dillards |url=https://www.bluegrasshall.org/inductees/the-dillards/ |website=Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame|date=November 29, 2018 }}</ref> Within weeks of their arrival, they were signed by both Elektra Records and the William Morris Agency, which soon had them booked on ''The Andy Griffith Show'', playing a family of mountain musicians called "The Darlings".<ref name=bluegrasshall>{{cite web |title=The Dillards |url=https://www.bluegrasshall.org/inductees/the-dillards/ |website=Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame|date=November 29, 2018 }}</ref> This was a recurring role, running from 1963 to 1966. In 1986, the Dillards reprised the role in the reunion show ''Return to Mayberry''.<ref name=Rifkin/> On the October 1963 episode "Briscoe Declares for Aunt Bee", the Dillards performed the first wide-scale airing of the 1955 Arthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith composition Feudin' Banjos (Dueling Banjos). Several albums have since featured songs performed on the show.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.journalnow.com/news/ask_sam/ask-sam-where-can-i-find-songs-by-the-darlings/article_613886cc-9f50-5665-9944-8da547bc9948.html|title=Ask SAM|last=Clodfelter|first=Tim|work=Winston-Salem Journal|date=November 30, 2019|access-date=December 12, 2019}}</ref>
The Dillards released four albums in quick succession, but in 1967, Doug wrote and performed the banjo music for the soundtrack of the movie ''Bonnie and Clyde''. That led to an invitation to tour with the Byrds, and he left the band; later, he released solo albums and formed the band Dillard and Clark.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-me-doug-dillard-obituary-20120518-story.html|title=Doug Dillard dies at 75; banjo player, member of the Dillards band|date=May 18, 2012 |access-date=May 25, 2016}}</ref>
In 1968, with Doug Dillard replaced by Herb Pedersen, the Dillards released the album ''Wheatstraw Suite'', which Elektra founder Jac Holzman called "one of the most innovative bluegrass albums of all time". The album "broke all the rules of bluegrass music", said Rodney Dillard. "We put strings on it, we went electric, we used drums, and we put layered vocals on it." Backlash from the bluegrass community arose, but the album inspired artists such as Steve Martin, Don Henley, and Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones, who attributed his decision to play the mandolin to their influence.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Roland |first1=Terry |title=The Dillards Celebrate an Old Road New Again |url=https://sandiegotroubadour.com/the-dillards-celebrate-an-old-road-new-again/ |website=sandiegotroubadour.com |date=October 2020 |publisher=San Diego Troubadour |access-date=15 March 2025}}</ref><ref>Wolff, Kurt, and Duane, Orla [https://books.google.com/books?id=3Jorozp1yp4C&dq=Dillards+bluegrass+bands&pg=PA215 "The Dillards"], ''Country Music: The Rough Guide'', p. 215</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Ferenczi|first1=Alexis|title=Entretien avec John Paul Jones, ex-Led Zeppelin, parrain du festival Mandolines de Lunel|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.fr/2013/10/30/john-paul-jones-mandoline-festival-lunel_n_4174095.html|access-date=September 27, 2016|work=Le Huffington Post (French)|publisher=HPMG News|date=October 30, 2013}}</ref>
In 1970, the band released ''Copperfields'', a more progressive album with more orchestra and more drums. It was a further step away from traditional bluegrass, but continued to progress the genre and keep it in the public eye.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Dillards: harmonic resolution of the boundary-breaking kind |url=https://theaudiophileman.com/dillards/ |website=theaudiophileman.com |date=March 2017 |publisher=The Audiophile Man |access-date=15 March 2025}}</ref> One artist who was profoundly influenced by both albums was Elton John, who said that on his first trip to America, his first act was to see a Dillards concert. In 1973, the Dillards joined John on his ''Goodbye Yellow Brick Road'' tour.<ref name=Rifkin>{{cite news|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1471231168|title=From Mayberry to Black Mountain: The Dillards play mighty fine bluegrass|url-access=subscription|last=Rifkin|first=Carol|work=Asheville Citizen-Times|date=March 2, 2012|access-date=March 18, 2021|id={{ProQuest|1471231168}} }}</ref> During the tour, the Dillards released ''Roots and Branches'', which became their most commercially successful album.<ref>{{cite web |title=Doug & Rodney Dillard (Part 4) |url=https://www.burritobrother.com/dillard4.htm |website=burritobrother.com |publisher=Burrito Brother |access-date=15 March 2025}}</ref>
In 1989, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band co-founder John McEuen, a long-time Dillards fan, wanted to capture the spirit and energy of the Dillards on film; the result was the 80-minute video ''A Night in the Ozarks''.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Dillards: A Night in the Ozarks |url=https://www.burritobrother.com/night.htm |website=burritobrother.com |publisher=Burrito Brother |access-date=15 March 2025}}</ref>
In 2002, The Dillards performed with Arlo Guthrie and Pete Seeger at Carnegie Hall.<ref>{{cite web |title=Arlo Guthrie, Folk Singer |url=https://www.carnegiehall.org/about/history/performance-history-search?q=&dex=prod_PHS_Newest_First&event=38363&pf=Pete%20Seeger_ |website=carnegiehall.org |publisher=Carnegie Hall |access-date=15 March 2025}}</ref> In 2008, Guthrie and the Dillards released ''32 Cents, Postage Due'', an album of Woody Guthrie songs.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Guthrie |first1=Arlo |title=32¢ Postage Due |url=https://www.arloguthrie.com/news/444971 |website=arloguthrie.com |publisher=Arlo Guthrie |access-date=15 March 2025}}</ref>
Over the years, the band has seen many personnel changes. Rodney and his wife, Beverly Cotton-Dillard, are the only remaining full-time members. Beverly is a native of Morrisville, North Carolina, who performed with Janette Carter, Ola Belle Reed, Tommy Jarrell, and Doc and Merle Watson. Cotton-Dillard is recognized as an authority on the traditional clawhammer banjo technique, and her 1981 album ''Clog-In: An American Folk Dance Classic'' is considered an American folk classic.<ref name="Rifkin" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Clog-In: An American Folk Dance Classic |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/6423218-Beverly-Cotten-With-The-Green-Grass-Cloggers-Clog-In-An-American-Folk-Dance-Classic?srsltid=AfmBOoqz4icIBy-6sfSS9qW897SGVK3C8kvgR7PYmODy1sj4OBKLQLB- |website=discogs.com | date=1997 |publisher=Discogs |access-date=15 March 2025}}</ref>
The Dillards continue to release new music. For their most recent album, 2020's ''Old Road New Again'', they called upon Herb Pedersen, Ricky Skaggs, Sam Bush, Bernie Leadon, and Don Henley to perform.
thumb|right|The Dillards'' circa'' 1981
=== Past members === {{div col}} * Byron Berline (d. 2021) * Buddy Blackmon * Douglas Bounsall (d. 2012) * Bill Bryson (d. 2017)<ref>{{cite web |last1=Thompson |first1=Richard |title=Bill Bryson Passes |url=https://bluegrasstoday.com/bill-bryson-passes/ |website=bluegrasstoday.com |date=May 2, 2017 |publisher=Bluegrass Today |access-date=15 March 2025}}</ref> * Billy Constable (d. 2015) * Steve Cooley<ref>{{cite web |title=Steve Cooley |url=https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/steve-cooley |website=namm.org |publisher=National Association of Music Merchants |access-date=15 March 2025}}</ref> * Douglas Dillard (d. 2012) * Irv Dugan * George Giddens * Jeff Gilkinson * Jim Glaspy * Richard Godfrey * Pete Grant * John Humphreys * Mitchell F. Jayne (d. 2010) * Shane Lail<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rifkin |first1=Carol |title=The Wrecked Fretts |url=https://www.citizen-times.com/story/entertainment/music/2014/07/04/three-shows-see-week/11770449/ |website=citizen-times.com |publisher=Citizen Times |access-date=15 March 2025}}</ref> * Billy Ray Latham (d. 2018)<ref>{{cite web |last1=Roberts |first1=Mike |title=Hangtown's Musical Roots |url=https://www.mtdemocrat.com/prospecting/hangtown-s-musical-roots-vern-and-ray-carry-bluegrass-torch/article_ced9c717-90c3-5646-8d4f-ab8fbaa726b1.html |website=mtdemocrat.com |date=October 15, 2013 |publisher=Mountain Democrat |access-date=15 March 2025}}</ref> * Dewey Martin (d. 2009) * Rick McEwen<ref>{{cite web |title=Rick McEwen |url=https://www.bransoncountryusa.net/BRANSON_COUNTRY_USA/PODCASTS/Entries/2020/8/21_Rick_McEwen_and_all_your_Branson_Country_USA_favorites!.html |website=bransoncountryusa.net |publisher=Branson Country USA |access-date=15 March 2025}}</ref> * Seth Pappas * Herb Pedersen * Eddie Ponder (d. 2018)<ref>{{cite web |last1=Steiner |first1=Herb |title=LA Drummer Ed Ponder |url=https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=338985 |website=steelguitarforum.com |publisher=The Steel Guitar Forum |access-date=15 March 2025}}</ref> * Gary Smith * Joe Villegas * Dean Webb (d. 2018)<ref name=bluegrasstoday>{{cite web|url=https://bluegrasstoday.com/dean-webb-passes/|title=Dean Webb passes|date=July 2, 2018|website=Bluegrass.today|access-date=July 5, 2018}}</ref> * Ric Williams * Tony Wray * Paul Yorks<ref>{{citation |url=http://blueridgeheritage.com/traditional-artist-directory/billy-constable|title=Billy Constable: Bluegrass Musician|work=Blueridge National Heritage Area|access-date=May 15, 2012}}</ref> {{div col end}}
==Discography== ===Albums=== {| class="wikitable" ! rowspan="2"| Year ! rowspan="2"| Album ! colspan="2"| Chart Positions ! rowspan="2"| Label |- ! width="45"| <small>US</small><br /><ref name="Whitburn">{{cite book | last = Whitburn | first = Joel | title = Top LPs, 1945–1972 | year = 1973 | publisher = Record Research | page = 44 | url = https://archive.org/details/joelwhitburnstoplp00whit/page/44/mode/2up | access-date = December 13, 2025}}</ref> ! width="45"| <small>CAN</small> |- | 1963 | ''Back Porch Bluegrass'' | align="center"| — | align="center"| — | align="center" rowspan="6"| Elektra |- | 1964 | ''Live!!!! Almost!!!'' | align="center"| — | align="center"| — |- | rowspan="2"| 1965 | ''Pickin' and Fiddlin''' (with Byron Berline) | align="center"| — | align="center"| — |- | ''Western Jamboree'' | align="center"| — | align="center"| — |- | 1968 | ''Wheatstraw Suite'' | align="center"| — | align="center"| — |- | 1970 | ''Copperfields'' | align="center"| — | align="center"| — |- | 1972 | ''Roots and Branches'' | align="center"| 79 | align="center"| 56 | align="center"| Anthem |- | 1973 | ''Tribute to the American Duck'' | align="center"| — | align="center"| — | align="center"| Poppy |- | rowspan="2"| 1977 | ''The Dillards vs. The Incredible L.A. Time Machine'' | align="center"| — | align="center"| — | align="center"| Flying Fish |- | ''Glitter Grass from the Nashwood Hollyville Strings'', with John Hartford | align="center"| — | align="center"| — | align="center"| Flying Fish |- | 1978 | ''Mountain Rock'' | align="center"| — | align="center"| — | align="center"| Crystal Clear |- | 1979 | ''Decade Waltz'' | align="center"| — | align="center"| — | align="center" rowspan="2"| Flying Fish |- | 1980 | ''Homecoming and Family Reunion'' | align="center"| — | align="center"| — |- | 1984 | ''Silver Dollar Jubilee'' | align="center"| — | align="center"| — | align="center" rowspan="1"| Silver Dollar City<ref>{{cite web |title=The Dillards: Silver Dollar Jubilee |url=https://www.burritobrother.com/jubilee.htm |website=burritobrother.com |publisher=Burrito Brother |access-date=15 March 2025}}</ref> |- | 1989 | ''A Night In The Ozarks'' (video) | align="center"| — | align="center"| — | align="center" rowspan="1"| John McEuen |- | 1991 | ''Let It Fly (The Dillards album)|''Let It Fly'' | align="center"| — | align="center"| — | align="center" rowspan="2"| Vanguard |- | 1992 | ''Take Me Along for the Ride'' | align="center"| — | align="center"| — |- | 1999 | ''A Long Time Ago: The First Time Live'' | align="center"| — | align="center"| — | align="center" rowspan="2"| Varèse Sarabande |- | 2006 | ''Early Recordings – 1959'' | align="center"| — | align="center"| — |- | 2008 | ''32¢ Postage Due'' (with Arlo Guthrie) | align="center"| — | align="center"| — | align="center"| Rising Son |- | 2020 | ''Old Road New Again'' | align="center"| — | align="center"| — | align="center" rowspan="1"| Pinecastle Records |}
===Compilations=== {| class="wikitable" ! Year ! Album ! Label |- | 1976 | ''Country Tracks/The Best of the Dillards'' | align="center"| Elektra |- | 1986 | ''I'll Fly Away'' | align="center"| Edsel |- | 1991 | ''There Is a Time (1963–70)'' | align="center" rowspan="2"| Vanguard |- | 1995 | ''The Best of The Darlin' Boys'' |- | 1996 | ''Roots and Branches/Tribute to the American Duck'' | align="center"| Beat Goes On |- | 2001 | ''Back Porch Bluegrass & Live!!!! Almost!!!'' | align="center" rowspan="2"| Warner Strategic Marketing |- | 2004 | ''Pickin' and Fiddlin', Wheatstraw Suite & Copperfields'' |- | 2005 | ''Let The Music Flow: The Best of the Dillards 1963–1979'' | align="center"| Raven |}
===Singles=== {| class="wikitable" ! Year ! Title ! <small>Billboard Hot 100</small> ! Album ! Label |- |rowspan="2"| 1963 | "Dooley" | align="center"| — | align="center" rowspan="2"| ''Back Porch Bluegrass'' | align="center" rowspan="2"| Elektra |- | "Hootin' Banjo" (Duelin' Banjo) | align="center"| — |- | 1965 | "Nobody Knows" | align="center"| — | align="center" rowspan="2"| singles only | align="center" rowspan="2"| Capitol |- | 1966 | "The Last Thing On My Mind" | align="center"| — |- | 1968 | "Reason To Believe" | align="center"| — | align="center" rowspan="2"| ''Wheatstraw Suite'' | align="center" rowspan="4"| Elektra |- | 1969 | "Listen To The Sound" | align="center"| — |- |rowspan="4"| 1970 | "Rainmaker" | align="center"| — | align="center" rowspan="2"| ''Copperfields'' |- | "Close The Door Lightly" | align="center"| — |- | "One Too Many Mornings" | align="center"| — | align="center" rowspan="3"| singles only | align="center" rowspan="2"| White Whale |- | "Comin' Home Again" | align="center"| — |- | 1971 | "It's About Time" | align="center"| No. 92 | align="center" rowspan="3"| Anthem |- |rowspan="2"| 1972 | "One A.M." | align="center"| No. 111 | align="center"| ''Roots and Branches'' |- | "America (The Lady Of The Harbor)" | align="center"| — | align="center" | single only |- | 1973 | "Hot Rod Banjo" | align="center"| — | align="center"| ''Tribute to the American Duck'' | align="center"| Poppy |- | 1975 | "Stones Throw Away" | align="center"| — | align="center"| single only | align="center"| United Artists |- | 1977 | "The Poet" | align="center"| — | align="center"| ''The Dillards Vs. The Incredible L.A. Time Machine'' | align="center"| Sonet |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.burritobrother.com/dillard.htm History] * [https://web.archive.org/web/19991013190908/http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Studio/8690/dillards/dillards.html More info]
{{The Dillards}} {{International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Dillards, The}} Category:American bluegrass music groups Category:Musical groups from Missouri Category:American country rock groups Category:Elektra Records artists Category:Progressive bluegrass music groups