Chris Ethridge


John Christopher "Chris" Ethridge was an American country rock bass guitarist. He was a member of the International Submarine Band 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, 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 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.
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:
YearAlbumActNotes
1968Safe at HomeInternational Submarine Band
1969The Gilded Palace of SinThe Flying Burrito Brothersco-wrote "Hot Burrito No. 1 " and "Hot Burrito No. 2" with Gram Parsons
1969Self TitledJohn Bradenbass on "What a Friend We Have in Jesus", "Carriage House Song", and "Ribbons of Friendship"
1970Greatest HitsPhil Ochs
1970Washington CountyArlo Guthrie
1970Alone TogetherDave Mason
1970Ry CooderRy Cooder
1970The CandlestickmakerRon Elliottbass on "Molly in the Middle", "Lazy Day", "All Time Green" and "To the City, To the Sea"
1971L.A. GetawayJoel Scott Hill, Chris Ethridge, John Barbata
1971Just as I AmBill Withers-
1971Songs for BeginnersGraham Nash
1971Home GrownJohnny Rivers-
1971White LightGene Clark
1971Rita CoolidgeRita Coolidge
1972Full CircleThe Doorsbass on "Get Up and Dance"
1972Sail AwayRandy Newman-
1972Into the Purple ValleyRy Cooder-
1972Graham Nash David CrosbyGraham Nash & David Crosby
1973Baron Von Tollbooth and the Chrome NunPaul Kantner/Grace Slick / David Freiberg
1973GPGram Parsonsdid not play; co-wrote "She" with Parsons
1973Maria MuldaurMaria Muldaurplayed bass on 'Long Hard Climb', 'I Never Did Write You A Love Song', 'My Tennessee Mountain Home' and The Work Song'
1973Don't Cry NowLinda Ronstadt-
1974Heart Like A WheelLinda Ronstadtplayed bass on 'Faithless Love'
1974Paradise and LunchRy Cooder
1975Flying AgainThe Flying Burrito Brothers-
1976Chicken Skin MusicRy Cooder
1977Simple DreamsLinda Ronstadtbackground vocals
1977Class ReunionDelaney Bramlettbass
1978StardustWillie Nelson
1979Pretty PaperWillie Nelson
1980Honeysuckle Rose OSTWillie Nelsonalso had a small role in the film
1991From Another TimeThe Flying Burrito Brothersrecorded live in 1975
1994A John Prine ChristmasJohn Prine-
1996Eye of a HurricaneThe Flying Burrito Brothersbass; vocals on one track
2002Red Album: Live Studio Party in HollywoodThe Flying Burrito Brothersrecorded live in 1976
2002Cherry Smiles: The Rare SinglesNancy Sinatraa collection of Sinatra's rare singles and B-sides from 1970-1980
2007Junkyard JunkyDan Penn-