About Us

Replay "Soft Piano key of anthem!"

We are “Driven”. Brothers, Paul and Harold Pederson, we are native southeastern Minnesotans with a combined 60 years of musical experience. After soloing for 20 years in Kansas City, MO, Paul found his way back to his roots in 2007. Harold had been performing for 40 years, most recently with a rock band. The time was right to bring our talents together to become an acoustic duo. Since mid-2007, we have performed shows spanning an area from north of the Twin Cities in Minnesota to central Iowa. The bulk of these performances are at American Legion Posts, AMVET Posts and VFW Posts.

Based on our music, demographics, and family military history, we decided to focus our performances toward Veterans Clubs. Both Paul (US Army) and Harold (US Air Force) are veterans, and are proud to also mention our four brothers as veterans: Charles (US Navy), Thomas (Retired US Air Force), John (US Army National Guard) and Carl (US Army). Our father, Francis, and my father-in-law Thomas are also US Army veterans of WWII. So, Veterans Clubs seemed the natural common ground.

We offer a wide range of music from Ernest Tubb to Tommy James and, of course, Johnny Cash to Bon Jovi. Our road trips have given us the privilege of honoring and spending time with veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf and Iraq wars. We dedicate our performances and perform special songs of tribute to these special people.

The Birth of an “Anthem”

In the fall of 2008, we were invited to perform for the Minnesota State Fall American Legion Conference in Mankato. At that time, Paul and I decided to write a song for the American Legion. As unbelievable as it may sound, since its conception 91 years ago, this would be the first ever “anthem” for the American Legion. We titled it “Serving Those Who Have Served.” Harold had built a recording studio (Studio O’Dreams, Mabel, MN) on his farm after his return from Nashville. So, they began work on their idea immediately. After many hours of hard work and with the help of musician friends from a local band, Trouble Shooter (Rushford, MN), they laid down the music track. The Trouble Shooter Band had not previously heard our music demo. This was intentional, as we wanted them to “create” in the studio.

The “anthem” was intentionally written in the key of “C” major, allowing anyone to be able to figure out the melody on the white keys of a piano/keyboard. The key of “C” was chosen to allow the melody line to flow within a given range, thus allowing someone interested in performing the “anthem” little problem singing it or humming along. Generally, music is very structured, usually written in sequences of even numbered bars for a verse, and likewise for a chorus. Musical intros are usually also even numbered. We deliberately have seven bars in the “anthem” intro. Why? Harold’s draft number in 1971 was seven. The 7-bar introduction to the “anthem” flows perfectly.

Being veterans and Legion members ourselves, with much local, regional and state (MN) support, a grassroots effort emerged drafting a formal resolution. And, through the channels of proper protocol, the resolution made its way to the 2009 American Legion National Convention held in Louisville Kentucky. This is where the story remains….unless The American Legion decides to make history.