History

If you want the full story, just ask the people who were there—and when it comes to a music recording studio, that means the engineers. Since the first reel in 1982, Pedernales has had just a handful of engineers over the years—most notably Larry Greenhill and Steve Chadie.

Back in 1968, Frank Howard designed a nine-hole golf course and surrounding retreat near Lake Travis, originally known as the “Briarcliff Yacht and Golf Club.” In 1979, Willie Nelson acquired the property, moving his family, friends, and fellow musicians into the existing condos. Soon after, he teamed up with Nashville producer Chips Moman to transform the clubhouse into a top-tier 48-track recording studio. Within six months, Webb Pierce, Roger Miller, and Merle Haggard were already cutting tracks, and Willie himself recorded his 1983 album Tougher Than Leather in the freshly completed facility.

A lot of the music for the film Songwriter (1984) was recorded at Pedernales. The entire soundtrack for Red Headed Stranger (1986), along with portions of the Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982) soundtrack featuring Dolly Parton, were also recorded at the studio.

Under the guidance of engineer Larry Greenhill (1981–2003), the control room hosted sessions with Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, Ray Price, Neil Young, Bruce Hornsby, Les Paul, The Highwaymen (Kris Kristofferson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash), and of course, Willie Nelson. In 1995, Steve Chadie arrived to carry the torch, adding even more stellar artists to the ever-growing client list. The facility continued to attract a who’s who of music icons—including Dolly Parton, Wilco, Sublime, Bruce Hornsby, and Tanya Tucker—reinforcing its reputation as a creative hideaway in the Texas Hill Country.