Chris Hillman

A third generation native Californian, Chris Hillman launched his musical career in 1962 at age 18 with Bluegrass outfit the Scottsville Squirrel Barkers, followed by a stint with The Hillmen (with Vern and Rex Gosdin and Don Parmley). Over the course of the next three decades, he was a founding member of the Byrds, the Flying Burrito Brothers, Manassas, Souther Hillman Furay, McGuinn Clark Hillman, and the Desert Rose Band. He has recorded more than 65 albums over the last five decades. His most recent solo recording, last year’s Bidin’ My Time, was produced by Tom Petty. He is widely acknowledged as a seminal figure in the creation of country rock and an architect of American popular music. He is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; a three-time Academy of Country Music Award winner, four-time Grammy nominee, four-time Country Music Association nominee, and has been honored with lifetime achievement awards from the Americana Music Association and the San Diego Music Awards, a Mojo Roots Awards, and received BMI’s One Million Broadcast Radio Awards for “One Step Forward” and “Love Reunited.”