The Stray Gators were the musicians Jack Nitzsche (piano), Ben Keith (steel guitar), Tim Drummond (bass) and Kenny Buttrey (drums) that supported Neil Young in 1972 on his hit album Harvest, for which Nitzsche also produced two songs ("A Man Needs a Maid" and "There's a World"). After the release of Harvest they appeared on the "War Song" single, credited to Young and Graham Nash, as well as outtakes from the Harvest sessions on the Journey Through the Past soundtrack. In 1973 they backed Young again on his Time Fades Away tour, though Buttrey had been replaced by drummer Johnny Barbata. They disbanded midway through the tour when Young abruptly put an end to the concerts, but as individuals they continued to work with Young and others. They would have a reunion of sorts in 1992 on Young's Harvest Moon album, with Spooner Oldham replacing Jack Nitzsche, though Nitzsche would arrange the track "Such a Woman". Later they would play on Jewel's debut album Pieces of You, which was recorded in Young's studio.