Ole DG is out hittin’ the road again. It’s gonna be real hard this time without my number one soul soldier, but we’ll be celebrating the life and music of Gaff throughout the summer. I’m starting the tour out in Tennessee with a benefit for Chris Gaffney at the Mercy Lounge. I’m out here playing with some real All-Star Texas Musicians/friends that will go with me ‘till late July. This new band will be called The Stone River Boys.
Chris Gaffney, The Soul Soldier! Gaff was so truly talented. He was such a rare and wonderful American treasure…one of the last of the real deal cats! He was an old cowboy, a soul soldier, a brother and absolutely a mentor to me. I can only say he was the coolest. Such an “old soul” and so humble. I looked up to him in so many ways, for such a long long time. read more...
A Pictorial Tribute
Longtime friend and manager Jeb Schoonover shares photos of working with Chris Gaffney for the last 20 years.
Chris Gaffney Memorial
On Wednesday, April 30th there was a celebration of Chris Gaffney's life at the Cellar in Long Beach, California. Andy Kindler and the Gaffney family hosted a great night of stories and music. Special guests included the Hacienda Brothers, The Cold Hard Facts, Dave Alvin and The Guilty Men and many other friends. Here are a few photos from the event. Chris Gaffney Memorial Pictures
The One & Only... Chris Gaffney
October 3, 1950 –April 17, 2008
Chris Gaffney, a beloved husband, revered entertainer, precious father, dear uncle, trusted friend, cherished brother has succumbed to liver cancer.
His departure was quick and painless with the support of his loving family by his side.
Celebrations of his life are in the works. Please check helpgaff.com for updates. Your continuous support and donations to the are greatly appreciated and still needed to offset the financial burden of his medical care.
"Chris Gaffney grew up in Arizona, where he learned to play the accordion as a young child. The instrument would later influence the performer's mix of norteño with country and rock & roll. Gaffney eventually mastered guitar as well and spent his teen years gigging in cover and house bands. In 1977, he formed a partnership with keyboardist Wyman Reese, who also produced Gaffney's initial solo efforts. Road to Indio appeared in 1986; it featured 1950s rock, soul, and dusty Bakersfield honky tonk. Chris Gaffney & the Cold Hard Facts followed in 1990, and delved into Gaffney's Hispanic heritage. His third solo effort, Mi Vida Loca, was issued in 1992. Loser's Paradise appeared in 2003. The album was produced by blue-collar stalwart Dave Alvin and featured contributions from Lucinda Williams and Jim Lauderdale." – Johnny Loftus, AMG. Gaffney also recorded and toured extensively as a member of Dave Alvin & the Guilty Men. Gaffney & Alvin formed a bond of brotherhood that has been a cornerstone in each of their lives.
Gaff's most current project, The Hacienda Brothers is a collaboration between singer and songwriter Gaffney and Dave Gonzalez, best known as the guitarist, singer, and songwriter with the veteran blues-rockabilly combo the Paladins. "Longtime friends Gaffney and Gonzalez first performed together when they played an informal set for a mutual friend's birthday party in 2002; Gonzalez was impressed with the results, and as he was looking for an outlet for the country-style songs he was unable to perform with the Paladins, he proposed a more formal collaboration. Teaming up with David Berzansky on pedal steel, Hank Maninger on bass, and Dale Daniel on drums, the duo adopted the name the Hacienda Brothers, and set up a base of operations in Tucson, Ariz. Gonzalez, who has a passionate interest in vintage cars, struck up a friendship with fellow gearhead Dan Penn, the legendary producer and songwriter who was a key figure in the Muscle Shoals sound, and he persuaded Penn to produce the debut Hacienda Brothers album, the eponymous Hacienda Brothers. Penn also contributed two songs to the sessions, which appeared on the group's self-titled 2005 release. What's Wrong with Right was released the following year." –Mark Deming, AMG. A live CD, Music For Ranch & Town, was released unofficially in August of 2007. Their sound, dubbed "Western Soul," culminated in the 2007 nomination for the Americana Music Association Duo/Group of the Year. In January of 2008 The Hacienda Brothers recorded their 4th CD, Arizona Motel, that will be released nationally on June 24th.
Plans are in the works for the band to tour in support of the CD in tribute to Chris Gaffney.
Chris Gaffney lived his life as a dedicated musician with little fanfare or ego. The industry recognition that had so long eluded him finally came with sincere praise & genuine respect for the quality of his work in The Hacienda Brothers. His fans worldwide have overwhelmingly shown their loved & appreciation. The HelpGaff.com <http://www.helpgaff.com> website has raised tens of thousands of dollars before a single benefit show has even been played. Gaff was universally loved for his quick smile, even temperament, keen observations and dry wit. He will be missed as much for those qualities as for his incomparable talent as a singer, songwriter and musician. And we will surely miss hearing the girls scream, "Gaffney! Gaffney! Gaffney!"
Gaff's favorite month of the year? "April, because it always brings hope."
–Dianne Scott
Photos of Chris
Check out some great photos of Chris in Austin by our friend Bob Zink. A big thanks to Bob for sending them.
Hacienda Brothers Live CD
The Hacienda Brothers have made available a special limited edition live CD, titled "Music for Ranch & Town". This is the first in a series of CDs produced by the Hacienda Brothers that will feature rare live recordings and studio outtakes. This initial release showcases the band live on one of their early tours of Europe and captures the intense energy of a Hacienda Brothers show. The Bros kick things into gear with an extended version of their instrumental "Railed" and end the CD 14 songs and 70 minutes later with the unreleased Gonzalez show-stopper "Gone". In between there are classic versions of "Mental Revenge", "Cowboys to Girls", "Walkin' On My Dreams" and "Cry Like A Baby". Previously unreleased tracks include Johnny Cash's "Home of the Blues", Johnny Paycheck's "If I'm Gonna Sink" and a new instrumental "Brotherized". What perhaps might be the highlight on the CD is a 12 minute version of the accordion-blues ridden "Since I Met You Baby". If you've ever been to a Hacienda Brothers show, this is a must have for all
Hacienda Brothers perform at the AMAs
The Hacienda Brothers, who were also nominated for "Group of the Year", performed live at the Ryman Auditorium for this year's Americana Music Awards on November 1st. Joining them on stage was producer Dan Penn, who helped them sing "What's Wrong With Right". Also on the show that evening were performances by Lyle Lovett, Emmylou Harris, Ricky Skaggs, Bruce Hornsby, Guy Clark, Rodney Crowell, Joe Ely and many more. The day before the AMA's, at a special tribute for Porter Wagoner at the Tennessee State Museum, Chris Gaffney performed Porter's classic "Cold Hard Facts of Life". This was a special evening that featured other acoustic performances by Emmylou, Buddy Miller and Jim Lauderdale. To see performance and backstage photos from our Nashville trip go to Touring 2007 in our Gallery.
Hacienda Brothers Video
We have a video of the Hacienda Brothers' song "What's Wrong With Right" that was filmed live last year at the AMA's. The live footage has a guest appearance from our producer, Dan Penn. To view the video visit www.properamerican.com.
Gonzalez Makes Top 101
Hacienda Brothers’ own Dave Gonzalez made the list of the “Top 101 All-time Unsung Guitar Heroes” as selected by Guitar Player Magazine’s February issue that is on the news stands now. Dave is listed amongst a group of surefire heavy weights including Hank Garland, Hollywood Fats, Guitar Slim, Clarence White, Larry Collins, Lonnie Mack and Proper Records label mate Bill Kirchen. Here’s what the magazine’s editors had to say, “A certified badass-Gonzalez’s no B.S. style reeks of everything that’s cool about classic American guitar music.” We certainly agree! And we congratulate Dave. Also for any of you industry folks, Dave will be at the Fender booth Sat. Jan. 20th as part of the NAMM (National Association of Musical-Instrument Manufacturers) show. Dave Gonzalez and Chris Gaffney are both endorsed by Fender. Ernie Ball strings have sponsored Dave since 1987.
No Depression's Top 60
The Hacienda Brothers What's Wrong With Right was selected in the No Depression Critics' Picks Top 60 CDs for 2006 (we're #47 to be exact). It's in the January/Feb. 07 issue. We would like to thank No Depression and all the other publications/critics that took the time to listen and favorably review our cd.
NPR's Fresh Air
Chris and Dave did an interview with Terry Gross for her show “Fresh Air” on NPR. The Hacienda Brothers segment aired on NPR stations, Tuesday, December 5th. Audio for the “Fresh Air” piece is available at this link: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6581032.
Top 100
What's Wrong With Right was selected as one of the R&R/Americana Chart's Top 100 Albums of 2006. To read the reviews on this record and interviews that we've been getting from all around the country visit our Press page under the Press Kit menu.
Dan Penn and Haciendas on NPR
For those of you who missed the wonderful interview of Dan Penn on NPR's "Morning Edition", here is the link where you hear it http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5638465. There are also links to Dan Penn and Hacienda Brothers' songs. We'd like to thank Dan for his kind words and it's been a real privilege to have worked with such a legend.
Haciendas on MySpace
For all of you MySpace fans out there, check out ours at www.myspace.com/haciendabrothers. You can hear Cowboys to Girls, Different Today, Last Time and Leavin' on My Mind in their entirety. A big thanks to Deb for doing a great job hosting our page.
Proper Records/Proper American
Our CD What's Wrong With Right is released both in the US and Europe by Proper Records, who were our European label for our self-titled debut. We are very excited to now have the fine folks at Proper promoting our new record. Proper Records has always been about delivering great music to the people of Europe and they are now also operating their artist-friendly organization here in the United States. Earlier this year Proper American released the Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham record Moments From This Theatre: Live, which was previously unavailable in the United States, and the Bobby Purify record Better To Have It. They have now also released the new Bill Kirchen record.
Dave Gonzalez of the Hacienda Brothers will be touring this summer to celebrate the life of his friend and musical partner Chris Gaffney. The touring will be difficult yet cathartic for Gonzalez. There hasnt' been a tour in the past six years, since his days in the Paladins, that Gaffney hasn't been there right by his side. Yet there is no better way to honor the memory of Chris then to go out and play to the audience that loved him so. This will be a chance for all of Chris’ friends and fans to gather and pay tribute to one of the greatest American music performers in the past 20 years. Gonzalez will also be out supporting the release of the last studio album from the Hacienda Brothers titled Arizona Motel. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to helpgaff.com to aid the family of Chris Gaffney.