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America: Band joins with CSO to take Riverbend audience down 'Ventura Highway'

By: Clint Cooper
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Robert Bernhardt

Robert Bernhardt knows the history of America.

He knows it so well because he’s been a part of it.

When America takes the Coca-Cola Stage with the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera at the Riverbend Festival tonight, it will mark at least half a dozen times the CSO music director and conductor has worked with the rock-pop group known for hits such as “A Horse With No Name,” “Ventura Highway” and “Tin Man.”

“Their music, which is a combination of rock ’n’ roll and ballad and some small folk influences, too, is perfect for orchestral backing,” Mr. Bernhardt said.

He said Riverbend attendees will be shocked at the number of songs America made famous.

“There are more than a dozen tunes for which everyone of a certain age will know almost every word of the lyrics,” Mr. Bernhardt said.

He said he expects the group, fronted by Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell, to play all of its Top 40 and FM rock radio hits and perhaps a couple of new tunes. He said the CSO would back most of the songs, with Mr. Beckley and Mr. Bunnell and their band perhaps playing a few on their own.

The band, then a trio that also included Dan Peek, exploded onto the music scene in 1972 with the hit “A Horse With No Name.”

Since then, America has charted six certified gold and/or platinum albums, with its first greatest-hits collection, “History,” hitting 4 million in sales. Its awards included a Grammy for Best New Artist and two No. 1 singles (“A Horse With No Name” and “Sister Golden Hair”).

Mr. Peek left the group in 1977.

America’s newest release, “Here and Now,” which includes studio and live music of the band’s past and present, was put together by contemporary producers Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne) and James Iha (Smashing Pumpkins) and includes such guest artists as Ryan Adams, Ben Kweller, Jim James and Patrick Hallahan (My Morning Jacket), Ira Elliot and Matthew Caws (Nada Surf), Stephen Bishop and Mark Rozzo (Maplewood).

“One of the main attractions for Adam (Schlesinger) and James (Iha) was their initial love of the America sound,” Mr. Beckley said in a history on the band’s Web site. “We have intentionally tried to keep that being the main focus.”

Mr. Bernhardt said he was a fan before he ever worked with the band.

“‘Sister Golden Hair’ was my favorite,” he said, “but I know all of these songs. They’re calming, they’re beautiful and they’re evocative of a time and place.”

The band, its members said, have not only found fans in a second and third generation of music lovers but also found much favor internationally.

“We’ve grown up in a world of show biz, seen styles change, seen technology change,” Mr. Bunnell said. “But basically Gerry and I have stayed very much the same. We still have those standards in songwriting that we were hoping to establish. We’ve lived pretty full lives and managed to hold on to some sanity, although the world seems crazier every day.”

Best of all, the CSO director said, there’s more to America’s frontmen than their music.

“I’m not blowing smoke,” said Mr. Bernhardt. “The two guys in the group that remain — and their whole band — are among the nicest people in show business. I’m so happy when I get the chance to work with them. It is musically wonderful and a personal delight.”

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