One of contemporary music’s most popular and enduring bands, returns to the South Shore of Lake Tahoe, for one show at Harrah’s on Dec. 12.

The founding members of America, Gerry Beckley, Dewey Bunnell and Dan Peek, met while still in high school and all three were sons of Air Force officers stationed in the U.K.

A nameless horse began its gallop across international airwaves in 1972, introducing the poetic rock stylings of America to the world. Although hailing from England, America is best known as part of the “California Sound”, a description that spoke more about where a musician in the early ’70s lived or honed their sound.

America made the kind of free and easy music that appealed to all crowds. They harmonized their way to the top of British pop charts on the strength of the debut single, “A Horse With No Name.”

The group followed their British success to the U.S. that spring where “A Horse With No Name” became a No. 1 single, pushing Neil Young’s “Heart of Gold” off the top of the charts. That summer they released “I Need You” which also rose to the Top 10, and led to the release their second album.

“Ventura Highway,” the first single released from this collaboration, became their third straight Top 10 hit and also helped them secure a Grammy Award in 1972 for “Best New Artist.”

After spending some time refining their sound, America released Homecoming in 1973 and reached the Top 10 in the U.S. once again, peaking at No. 21 in the U.K. Their essential sound, mixing rock, pop and folk elements, fit perfectly with the “mellow” ‘70s, which sought to find peace and meaning amidst the protests, carnage and confusion of the Vietnam War era.

America’s 1976 release, “Hideaway”, went gold and peaked at No. 11.

Following the release of their next LP, Harbor, Dan Peek left the group to pursue a career as a contemporary Christian recording artist. The group continued on as a duo with Bunnell and Beckley. Producer George Martin began to work with them on the album “Holiday”, which brought them back to the top of the charts at No. 3.

In 1982, “You Can Do Magic” was released and pushed America back to the top of the adult contemporary charts.

The music has never stopped for America.

Now in their fourth decade of performing and touring together, America recently released the two-disc set, “Here & Now”, in 2007. Last year America released a new DVD, “Live in Chicago”, which captures the highlights of where their life has carried them and chronicles the changes they’ve gone through both artistically and personally.

Show time is 7:30pm Dec. 12. Tickets are $55 each, plus fees. For information and reservations, call 800.427.7247. or purchase tickets online at www.SouthShoreRoom.com.