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BORN
1954
DIED
2025
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Neil Pederson Obituary
April 8, 1954 - September 26, 2025
Neil Pederson, aged 71, passed away on September 26 in Austin, Texas. Neil was born on April 8, 1954 to Alton Curtis Pederson and Vernor Windham Pederson of Texas City, Texas. Neil's brilliance became obvious early on, as in the first grade he was given the 5th grade reading book to keep him from being bored. At the age of 6 he started taking piano lessons from the local piano teacher, but quickly eclipsed what she could teach him. Further studies were with the renowned pianist and teacher Helen Haupt in Houston. He gave a concert in Jones Hall in Houston at the age of 10. Growing up in Texas City he also spent many hours exploring the beaches of Galveston and fishing with his brother Chris.
When it came time to go to college, he received a scholarship in "Applied Classical Piano" to the University of Texas music school in Austin. To quote Neil from his Linkedin page "Practiced on Steinways in cubicles on the third floor of the Old Music Building by the Littlefield fountain.
Three hours a day. It was Prokofiev to start, but Leon Russell before too long." He started playing in bands during his second year and after that quit the University to play music full time.
Neil was a fixture in the Austin music scene for 50 years after that, playing in many bands, among others Steam Heat, Extreme Heat, Papa Mali, Insinuators, Killer Bees, Texoid, Tomas Ramirez, Chevelles, and Rusty Wier. He had opportunities to move to New York and Nashville, but Austin was home and he never wanted to leave.
He married Danielle Gill in 1984 and they enjoyed a life of being together and travelling the world together. Danielle passed away unexpectedly on July 19, 2025.
Neil is survived by his brother, William C Pederson of Houston, sister-in-law Cynthia Pederson of Houston, nephew Anton Pederson of Austin, and nieces Candice Pederson of Austin, and Liv Pederson of New York City.
A wonderful memorial for Neil and his music was organized on October 26 at Saxon Pub, where he played frequently. His family is thankful to all of the friends and musicians who came to this wonderful celebration of his life.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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