Swampwater was an American country rock band, that formed and started out initially as Linda Ronstadt’s backing group in the late 1960s, soon after she went solo.
[2][3] They combined California country rock with influences from bands such as The Byrds, The Dillards, Hearts & Flowers, the Beach Boys and The Everly Brothers.
Very tuneful in a variety of styles, with Gib Guilbeau's fiddle pushing toward the bayous and John Beland's guitar pulling 'em back to L.A.
But their best lyric is about a dancing bear, and their version of 'Headed for the Country' is less bathetic than Johnny Darrell's only because they couldn't project big emotions if they wanted to.
After leaving Ronstadt, the band went to work with the singer-songwriter, Arlo Guthrie, touring the country and appearing with him at the Hollywood Bowl.
Beland left the group to embark on a solo career, and was signed to Apple Records while on tour in the UK in 1972.