CANCELLED: Gene Parsons & David Hayes

Gene Parsons is a guitarist, vocalist, banjo player, inventor, drummer, songwriter, arranger and innovative engineer. He is probably best known for his work with the Byrds and later with the Flying Burrito Brothers. Gene’s time with both bands came during their groundbreaking country-rock periods and his own solo recordings further solidified his position as one of the genre’s pioneers.

Gene started as a teen and by the early 60s was playing bass and drums with the Castaways, teaming him with soon-to-be duo partner and lifelong friend Gib Gilbeau. Cajun Gib & Gene recorded for several small labels then, in 1968, signed on with Nashville West, featuring guitarist Clarence White, and played on their self-titled debut. Later that year, Gene and Clarence teamed up and joined the Byrds.

The pair debuted on Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde and Gene stayed with the group until 1972. His vocals, compositions, arrangements and performances on multiple instruments appear on subsequent albums The Ballad of Easy Rider, (Untitled), Byrdmaniax and Farther Along. In 1974, Parsons took a break from his solo career to join the Flying Burrito Brothers. His vocals and instrumental performances appear on Flying Again and Airborne.

Gene joined the Sierra label as an artist and A&R executive and in 1980 released the album Melodies. His Gene Parsons Trio and Parsons Green, his duo with singer/guitarist Meridian Green, the daughter of folksinger Bob Gibson, worked through the turn of the millennium, re-leasing Birds of a Feather in 1992 and followed that with a couple of live albums released on Gene’s own StringBender label.

He has recorded and/or performed with many artists, including The Rolling Stones, Randy Newman, Arlo Guthrie, Sheryl Crow, Elliott Murphy and The Everly Brothers, to name a few.

In the early 00s, on a break from touring with Van Morrison, David Hayes invited Gene to play a local benefit with him and some musical friends from the Mendocino music community. While practicing, a duo was born, though neither really knew it until 2006 when the pair began gigging together regularly.

David Hayes is a bassist, guitarist, producer, singer, songwriter and veteran of nearly 5,000 stage performances. David is best known internationally for his work with Van Morrison, accompanying Morrison in more concerts than any of Van’s other stage musicians.

David’s career with Van began in 1972 with sessions for “Warm Love.” David played on all but 2 of the songs on the 1973 release Hard Nose The Highway before leaving on tour with Jesse Colin Young in support of Jesse’s Song For Juli album, which also features David’s bass and backing vocals.

David worked concurrently with both Van and Jesse until 1974, when he became a full-time member of Morrison’s acclaimed band, The Caledonia Soul Orchestra. Through his time with Van, David served as co-producer, bandleader and music director for many of Van’s projects and tours. David continued as a member of Van’s bands for most of 4 decades, playing over 2,000 shows and festivals with Morrison. And David performed more than 1,000 shows with Jesse’s bands. He returned to Young’s band in ’75 for the tour that produced the recordings for On The Road, followed by sessions for Love On The Wing and American Dreams.

Through his 5 decade career, David has had the honor of performing and/or recording with greats like: Ray Charles, Tom Waits, Bobby “Blue” Bland, Sheryl Crow, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, John Lee Hooker, Solomon Burke, Peter Rowan and the Rowan Brothers, Graham Parker, Iain Matthews, Terry and the Pirates, Country Joe McDonald, and many more. He has also released six solo albums: Sunbathing In Leningrad; Logos Through A Sideman, Born Heroes, Soul Diver, In Stereo and FolkJazz.

He retired from international touring in 2011 and continues as a session musician with producers such as Karl Derfler and Bill Bottrell. In 2014, David produced and played on the critically acclaimed album from folk artist Gwyneth Moreland Ceilings Floors and Open Doors. In the early 00s, on a break from touring with Van, David agreed to play a local benefit. He invited Gene Parsons and other musical friends from the Mendocino music community to join him. While practicing, a duo was born, though neither really knew it until 2006 when the pair began gigging together regularly. They continue their partnership to this day, performing as a duo and with The Mendocino Quartet, as well as an occasional special trio setting.