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If I wanted to, if I felt the need to be lazy, I could spout off a list of
clichés that have always been the foundation of Don’s biographies. It
would be an easy task to say that he’s from a small rural community, he’s
hardworking, or tell you that he’s the son and grandson of protestant
ministers. While all of these are indeed fact, they fail to give any
indication of the artist and person that is Don Pedigo. Isn’t that the
problem with artist bios? They tell you everything while telling you
nothing. Their purpose tends to be that of the proverbial magic mirror.
One wishes words written about them to tell them just what they want to
hear, just how wonderful and interesting they are. These fluff pieces’
biggest malady is this very fact, and because of it we are left with a
hollow shell of a story, instead of the substance that every artist hopes
that they, themselves, contain.
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Initially, one could say it was the church that Don first experienced
music, but that would indeed deny our mother of this honor. Some of my
earliest memories (and I’m sure Don’s) is hearing our mother playing the
piano through the walls as I fell asleep. Moving ahead, we both found
adventure of listening to the music that church would find unacceptable.
I remember our grandmother finding Don’s copy of Kiss’ Love Gun, and
condemning us devil worshippers. Even at a young age, Don was able to
connect with the rebellion and glory of discord that rock and roll is
supposed to, or at least used to, instill in the youth of our society. At
the age of thirteen, he became a bass player to fill out a band set to
perform covers of Beatles and various college rock songs. Soon, he was
given a natural finish Peavy electric guitar that paved the way to hours
upon hours of Zeppelin and Hendrix. Eventually, Don began to move past
the confines of the popular music of his day and age. For many years, he
continued to learn and grow as a musician and a fan of music, purposefully
perpetuating an expanding base of influences.
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When we were kids, I remember the two of us rummaging through our father’s
vinyl collection. At the time, I only knew that it was exciting to have
access to such a wealth of music. Artists like CCR, Hank Williams Sr.,
Johnny Cash, and Jim Croce littered the set. We’d sit and put on record
after record after record. I didn’t know it at the time, and I’m sure Don
didn’t either, that these times were the catalyst of our musical futures.
By no means did I want to undersell the importance of our father’s tastes
when speaking of Don’s history, but I do want to stress that only in
retrospect could either of us know just how crucial they have come to be.
There came a time in Don’s life when he made a conscious decision to begin
writing songs. Once his life as a singer songwriter began it didn’t take
long to see what direction he was heading. He was making a bee line
straight for our father’s vinyl. Country, classic rock, and folk music
became the staple influences coming through his songs and approach. We
are who we are, and I see now, even in my own life, that all the time I
spent away from Americana music was only a very large cycle in the goal of
coming full circle, back to where I come from.
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Since that time Don has met and worked with very influential and important
people (and if you talk to Don, I’m sure he will tell you all about it).
He has played many places that I’m sure if listed in succession would be
very impressive. He’s sold songs. He’s going to sell more. He has a
great record and another one of the way. Once again, if you know Don, or
meet him, he is always more than happy to let anyone know how he is doing
and what he is doing. What I do want people to take with them is that Don
is my brother and I love him. He’s a responsible family man who pulls off
the impossible everyday: he lives with his head in the clouds while having
his feet on the ground. He loves his family and he takes care of them,
but refuses to not let himself be happy. Despite his shortcomings, we can
all learn a little something from Don. Don’t give up and don’t even worry
about it. Just keep doing what makes you happy and it will just keep
getting better. If anyone ever has anything bad to say about my brother I
would reply with these words: “He will beat someone up for you and he will
get beat up for you.” I can’t say the same about too many people.
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~ John Pedigo February 2009
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"NEWS!"
Creed Bratton from NBC's "The Office" and former "Grassroots" guitarist has landed the song "Goin Under" in the upcoming Columbia Pictures film "Labor Pains," featuring Lindsay Lohan and Chris Parnell. Don, producer Jon Tiven, and Creed wrote the song last year and is included on Creed's latest album. Check him out @ www.creedbratton.com and www.myspace.com/grassroots .
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"NEWS!"
Don is working on a new record with Mellencamp guitarist Larry Crane! Check him out @ www.larrycrane.net or www.myspace.com/officiallarrycrane. Mama's Wedding Gown and Like Tryin' To Stop are a taste of what to expect in '09.
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you most certainly have my vote. :) don't worry about it...i can overlook it seeing as you were busy singing and playing and all. it was great to see/hear you play. you guys were awesome as always, and your musicianship seems to grow and mature every single time i hear you play. take care, you.
50 minutes till Round 4!!!!!!!! 
