Rancho Deluxe

Playing old-school twang with an up-to-date energy, California country-rock band Rancho Deluxe were formed in 2005 by songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist Mark Adams and lead guitarist Jesse Jay Harris. Harris came by his interest in roots music naturally; his father is Greg Harris, a musician who recorded with Skip Battin, Sneaky Pete Kleinow, and the post-Gram Parsons Flying Burrito Brothers in the 1970s and '80s. Adams and Harris met in college and bonded over their shared interest in classic country and roots rock styles, and in time they began working up songs together. Rancho Deluxe released their self-titled debut album in 2006, with Adams, Harris, and bassist Graham Harris joined by a handful of notable guest musicians, including drummer Don Heffington (formerly of Lone Justice), pedal steel guitarist JayDee Mannes (who worked with Buck Owens, Eric Clapton, and the Byrds), and keyboard man Skip Edwards (who has cut sessions with Lucinda Williams, Dwight Yoakam, and Michelle Shocked). While Graham Harris left Rancho Deluxe as a full-time member following the release of their debut album, he played on the sessions for their second release, 2008's True Freedom, which reunited the studio crew that recorded the first disc. ~ Mark Deming