John Christopher Ethridge (February 10, 1947 – April 23, 2012) was an American country rock bass guitarist. He was a member of the International Submarine Band (ISB) and The Flying Burrito Brothers, and co-wrote several songs with Gram Parsons. Ethridge worked with Nancy Sinatra, Judy Collins, Leon Russell, Delaney Bramlett, Johnny Winter, Randy Newman, Graham Nash, Ry Cooder, Linda Ronstadt, The Byrds, Jackson Browne, and Willie Nelson.
Career Ethridge was born in Meridian, Mississippi, United States. He began playing in local bands in the South before moving to California aged 17, having been spotted in Biloxi. He played with Joel Scott Hill before joining Gram Parsons in ISB; in 1971, Hill and Ethridge would record a trio album (L.A. Getaway) with drummer John Barbata, best known for his work with The Turtles and Jefferson Starship. He played with Parsons after the end of ISB, and again after Parsons left The Byrds, before cofounding the Burrito Brothers with him. He played bass and piano on The Gilded Palace of Sin, but left before Burrito Deluxe due to creative differences. When Parsons left the Burritos, Ethridge briefly played with him again, touring with Byron Berline, Emmylou Harris, Clarence White, Gene Parsons, Sneaky Pete Kleinow, and Roland White in 1973. After Parsons' death, Ethridge played in 1974 with the Docker Hill Boys, an informal group which included Gene Parsons and Joel Scott Hill. These three refounded the Burritos in 1975 with Sneaky Pete and Gib Guilbeau, recording Flying Again.
Ethridge left the Burritos again in February 1976, returning to session work. He had been a session musician throughout his career, recording with many leading country-tinged acts, including Nancy Sinatra, Judy Collins, Johnny Winter, Ry Cooder, Leon Russell, Randy Newman, Linda Ronstadt, The Byrds and Jackson Browne. He also toured with Willie Nelson's band for almost eight years, and later played with the Kudzu Kings. Death Ethridge died on April 23, 2012, at age 65 at a hospital in Meridian, Mississippi of complications from pancreatic cancer.
Discography
On the following albums, Ethridge played bass unless stated otherwise: YearAlbumAct Notes1968 Safe at Home International Submarine Band 1969 The Gilded Palace of Sin The Flying Burrito Brothers co-wrote "Hot Burrito No. 1 (I'm Your Toy)" and "Hot Burrito No. 2" with Gram Parsons 1969 John Braden John Braden bass on "What a Friend We Have in Jesus", "Carriage House Song", and "Ribbons of Friendship" 1970 Greatest Hits Phil Ochs 1970 Washington County Arlo Guthrie 1970 Alone Together Dave Mason 1970 Ry Cooder Ry Cooder 1970 The Candlestickmaker Ron Elliott bass on "Molly in the Middle", "Lazy Day", "All Time Green" and "To the City, To the Sea" 1971 L.A. Getaway Joel Scott Hill, Chris Ethridge, John Barbata 1971 Just as I Am Bill Withers 1971 Songs for Beginners Graham Nash 1971 Home Grown Johnny Rivers 1971 White Light Gene Clark 1971 Rita Coolidge Rita Coolidge 1972 Full Circle The Doors bass on "Get Up and Dance" 1972 Sail Away Randy Newman 1972 Into the Purple Valley Ry Cooder 1972 Graham Nash David Crosby Graham Nash & David Crosby 1973 Baron Von Tollbooth and the Chrome Nun Paul Kantner/Grace Slick / David Freiberg 1973 GP Gram Parsons did not play; co-wrote "She" with Parsons 1973 Maria Muldaur Maria Muldaur played bass on 'Long Hard Climb', 'I Never Did Write You A Love Song', 'My Tennessee Mountain Home' and The Work Song' 1973 Don't Cry Now Linda Ronstadt 1974 Heart Like A Wheel Linda Ronstadt played bass on 'Faithless Love' 1974 Paradise and Lunch Ry Cooder 1975 Flying Again The Flying Burrito Brothers 1976 Chicken Skin Music Ry Cooder 1977 Simple Dreams Linda Ronstadt background vocals 1977 Class Reunion Delaney Bramlett bass 1978 Stardust Willie Nelson 1979 Sings Kristofferson Willie Nelson bass guitar 1979 Pretty Paper Willie Nelson 1980 Honeysuckle Rose OST Willie Nelson also had a small role in the film 1991 From Another Time The Flying Burrito Brothers recorded live in 1975 1994 A John Prine Christmas John Prine 1996 Eye of a Hurricane The Flying Burrito Brothers bass; vocals on one track 2002 Red Album: Live Studio Party in Hollywood The Flying Burrito Brothers recorded live in 1976 2002 Cherry Smiles: The Rare Singles Nancy Sinatra a collection of Sinatra's rare singles and B-sides from 1970 to 1980 2007 Junkyard Junky Dan Penn
References
External links
at MSN Music