Ed Pettersen - ProfilesArchive

About Me

Quick bio- I started out as a folksinger then I got a band (I still consider myself a folksinger). I released two records and was starting to get a foothold of some sort when I was in two serious car accidents which hindered my playing. I rehabilitated my left arm and hand enough to play again when I was felled by what turned out to be a rare genetic illness. Just another stumbling block that I’ve tried not to let slow me down too much. Moving on, I’ve really gotten into producing other artists as I just love the studio and making things happen. Some of the artists I’ve worked with include Devendra Banhart, The Black Crowes, Michelle Shocked, Freedy Johnston, The Mavericks, BR549, The Wrights, John Wesley Harding, Anthony David, The Funk Brothers, Bettye LaVette, Dion and Little Kings, Julie Lee, Matthew Ryan, Otis Gibbs, Karen Parks, Joanna Smith, Thad Cockrell, Joni Harms, Malcolm Holcombe, Tim O’Brien, The Old Crow Medicine Show, Suzy Bogguss, Minton Sparks, Kenzie Wetz, the Fisk Jubilee Singers and the Blind Boys of Alabama among others. I was the tour manager for the Dictators for 3 1/2 years and roomed with Scott Kempner also of the Del Lords so naturally those bands influence me big time. I also dig Neil Young. He always seems to be doing it for the art and love of it. I met Motown legend Bob Olhsson when I moved to Nashville and my work has improved 300% since. Thank God for Bob Olhsson. Bob is a great friend and co-conspirator. In 2007 I finished the Song of America project with David Macias and Bob which is the recorded history of the U.S. in song by major artists. It’s been a blast and a ton of work but well worth it since all net profits go towards programs that teach U.S. history through song in public schools. I was a contributing writer to Tape Op for two years and I dig engineering records as much as producing. I also like building my own custom audio gear now (Check my website for more info on that). Who’da thunk? I’ve also been doing a ton of co-writing on Music Row which is very interesting experience. I have a new record, my first of all-new material in over 5 years, that was released in January of 2007. Here’s hoping I get to meet some of y’all out on the road.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 8/22/2005
Band Website: edpettersen.com
Band Members: A rotating cast of characters....but lately I've been tracking with Ed Greene on drums, Bob Babbitt on bass, Reggie Young on guitar, David Hungate on guitar, Pete Abbott on percussion and Cathrine Styron-Marx on keys. Affectionately known as the Great American Rhythm Section, they are incredible. Tom Dowd suggested getting them together to Bob Olhsson just before he died. Further evidence that Tom Dowd was a great man. RIP Tom. We miss you and this note's for you.
Influences: Woody Guthrie, The Dictators, The Del Lords, Bruce Springsteen, Kris Kristofferson, Merle Haggard, Townes VanZandt, Tom Waits, JD Souther, John Hiatt, Richard Thompson, The Who, The Byrds, The Stones, The Beatles, folk music (LOTS of folk music...got to Dylan through folk music), the blues (LOTS of blues), Love (the band),The Stooges, The Velvet Underground, The MC5, Motown, soul and R&B, Gram Parsons, David Bromberg, The Band, country music made before 1975 (with a few exceptions), Lester Young, T.S. Monk, Bird, Miles, et al and Elvis Presley.
Sounds Like: Tom Petty meets Elvis Costello (or so I've been told). More like Johnny Cash meets George Harrison.
Record Label: Split Rock Records
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

May Newsletter

Hello friends-Long time, no speak! It's been crazy busy around here but it's all good. Some quick notes before you get to the newsletter:I'm trying to finsih up production on Kenzie Wetz' debut reco...
Posted by Ed Pettersen on Fri, 09 May 2008 09:02:00 PST

Last thoughts on Dan Fogelberg

A few years ago a good friend of mine who is also a musician and I were watching a popular cable TV country music program called "Crossroads" which blended a country star with someone from the pop or ...
Posted by Ed Pettersen on Sat, 22 Dec 2007 06:14:00 PST

The Scooter

This makes me very sad. A good part of my childhood was spent listening to the Scooter: Former Yankees SS Phil Rizzuto dead at 89 August 14, 2007 &nbs...
Posted by Ed Pettersen on Wed, 15 Aug 2007 03:02:00 PST

My Youtube debut-Two new Ed Pettersen videos

Baghdad: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgRvzu5ikLw or http://tinylink.com/?jXnBIBdMlY Jesus on Patrol: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZqq0uF-Sx8 or http://tinylink.com/?SSzwtH8EiS Every...
Posted by Ed Pettersen on Fri, 29 Jun 2007 03:24:00 PST

Song of America track listing

The Song of America (order of songs may change slightly to fit three CD's):..> 1 Lakota Dream Song Earl Bullhead ...
Posted by Ed Pettersen on Tue, 05 Jun 2007 05:48:00 PST

My website is being updated...etc.

Hey gang-Just wanted to drop y'all a quick note that the massive, 50-song Song of America project is DONE and will be out Sept 18th via Sony/RED/BMG. I've spent nine years on this and I really h...
Posted by Ed Pettersen on Mon, 04 Jun 2007 08:49:00 PST

SXSW.....Me and Pete

Just got back in from a looooong week.Freedy Johnston and I flew in separately and met up at the Doubletree for the annual slutfest. They're feeding on us you know.Anyways, the best part of it i...
Posted by Ed Pettersen on Mon, 19 Mar 2007 08:20:00 PST

RIP John Bishop

Shortly after learning of the passing of James Brown I recieved more personal bad news on Christmas Day. The most important person in the development of my professional career as a writ...
Posted by Ed Pettersen on Tue, 02 Jan 2007 10:33:00 PST

Everybody wants to be best....

I hate lists. It's impossible to list art.But folks seem to like 'em. So, for the first time everI will provide my list(s) of best, this year and other:This year's best recordings as I hea...
Posted by Ed Pettersen on Tue, 28 Nov 2006 12:44:00 PST

Bloodbrothers and the closing of CBGB's

The Trip Back Down: Bloodbrothers and the closing of CBGB's Let's get one thing straight right off: CBGB's was a dump. A real scuzz-hole. If the parents of most bands knew what the plac...
Posted by Ed Pettersen on Sat, 21 Oct 2006 05:12:00 PST