FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 14, 2008
THE HACIENDA BROTHERS TO RELEASE FINAL ALBUM, ARIZONA MOTEL, ON JUNE 24
Album, with five tracks produced by Dan Penn, represents the last work of singer Chris Gaffney, who passed away on April 17
TUCSON, Ariz. —The Hacienda Brothers, whose Western soul sound received worldwide acclaim in the course of the band’s five-year history, will release their final album, Arizona Motel, on June 24, 2008, distributed by Proper Records. It’s an unexpected memorial to the band’s lead singer and original member Chris Gaffney, who tragically passed away on April 17th after a short battle with liver cancer.
The title Arizona Motel reflects the fact that The Hacienda Brothers originated, recorded and wrote the majority of their songs in Tucson, Ariz., even though the band all lived California. Arizona was more of a state of mind than a state of domicile for the Hacienda Brothers. Gaffney had planned to spend his retirement in the state.
Jeb Schoonover, manager, longtime friend and business partner with Gaffney recalls, “Chris had this small but beautiful piece of land out in the desert of Southeastern Arizona. All he wanted out there was a singlewide and a satellite TV. Chris was unpretentious and that’s what made him special. In this crazy music business of ours he was one to appreciate the little things like connecting with people and making others laugh. Chris never got caught up with notoriety or having hits, but if you count the number of friends as one’s success, then he was truly a superstar.”
These last five years with the Hacienda Brothers allowed Gaffney to spread his music and love to countless new fans. As founding partner, main songwriter and guitarist Dave Gonzalez puts it, “People were really drawn to Gaffney’s unique vocal style and his soulful, no b.s. delivery. He was truly one of a kind, and his presence could make everyone in the room stop whatever they were doing and just listen. I am honored to have been his friend and very lucky to have written and recorded with Chris so much.”
The sessions for Arizona Motel were done in two parts. The first was last September in Nashville during the Americana Music Conference, with legendary producer Dan Penn again at the helm recording four new original songs. The band, which had been nominated for “Group of the Year,” did not receive the award but had already considered themselves winners because to them nothing beat playing the Ryman Auditorium (home of the awards show) and recording with Dan Penn.
In the studio, Penn put his classic touch on the country soul gem “Ordinary Fool” and captured the incredible honky-tonk ballad “I Still Believe.” He also lent his talent as a songwriter, co-writing with Dave Gonzalez as well as producing the songs “Used to the Pain” and “Break Free.”
The second session found the band back in Tucson at the end of their last tour in December where they went into the familiar confines of the Cavern Recording Studios for a spirited self-produced session. Several of these new recordings such as “A Lot of Days Are Gone,” “I’ll Come Running,” “Big Town City,” and “Long Way To Town” showcase the signature tight Hacienda Brothers sound. Gaffney’s soulful singing can be heard throughout Arizona Motel but is especially highlighted on both “Soul Mountain” and “Divorce or Destroy.”
Perhaps, however, the most poignant moment on the album is a song idea Gaffney brought to the band about the war. The song, titled “Uncle Sam’s Jail,” is set in Vietnam but is every bit relevant today. Told from the soldier’s point of view, the song is more about the poor man’s blues than a political statement. It’s an Irish-tinged ballad that has all the markings of a classic Gaffney song: simple, yet relevant, and truly heartfelt. It’s the way Chris liked to live his life, and down at the Arizona Motel you will still find him there!
Dave Gonzalez of the Hacienda Brothers will tour to support the new release and celebrate the life of his friend and musical partner Chris Gaffney.
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 26, 2008
Chris Gaffney shown at left with accordion
CHRIS GAFFNEY OF THE HACIENDA BROTHERS TAKEN ILL, HELPGAFF.COM INSTUTUTED TO AID MEDICAL EXPENDITURES
TUCSON, Ariz. – The Hacienda Brothers have some sad and unfortunate news to announce. Chris Gaffney, founding member and lead singer, has just been diagnosed with liver cancer. Gaffney had been recording as recently as January but was taken ill in February. He then began an extensive round of tests that led to the discovery of the cancer. Early next month Chris will begin undergoing intensive chemotherapy, and although he has health insurance it does not cover all of his medical costs and living expenses. In order to raise the necessary additional $60,000 a website has been set up by his family at http://www.helpgaff.com . Donation checks can also be written directly to the Chris Gaffney Recovery Fund, 403 43rd Street, Oakland CA 94609.
This summer the Hacienda Brothers will release a new CD, which was recorded just before Chris was diagnosed. A portion of the proceeds from the CD sales will go to the fund. The band is also scheduling several benefit concerts throughout the end of the year to help raise money and awareness for their ailing colleague, so please keep checking http://www.haciendabrothers.com for a complete list of shows.
A way for everyone to assist with raising money for Chris Gaffney is to pass along the website http://www.helpgaff.com to any of your mailing lists or groups of friends. Remember any size donation is greatly appreciated. This is a very difficult time for Chris and he needs everyone’s support to pull through.
# # #
Contact:
Jeb Schoonover
honkytonkhacienda@yahoo.com
(520) 795-1420
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 26, 2007
THREE’S THE CHARM FOR THE HACIENDA BROTHERS
Band Lands Its First Americana Honors & Awards Nomination — “Duo/Group of the Year”
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Since 2003, the Hacienda Brothers, an alt-country band from Southern California, have traveled over 100,000 miles and played more than 350 gigs in support of two critically acclaimed albums. In November, they’ll make their third trip to the Americana Music Association (AMA) Conference, but it will be the first time they have been recognized with a nomination for the annual Americana Honors & Awards (“Duo/Group of the Year.”)
"Three's the charm," says Hacienda Brothers co-founder Chris Gaffney. "This year will be our third trip to Nashville for the AMAs, so it's nice to get some official props for all the hard work and miles we've been putting on our van since we rolled this project out back in '03. Plus we love getting a chance to visit and catch up with our favorite Nashvillians, the Penns."
Gaffney of course is referring to Dan Penn, the legendary blue-eyed soul producer and singer/songwriter who helmed the production of both albums. The Hacienda Brothers’ self-titled debut album won accolades for melding stone country and old-school R&B in a mix described as “Western Soul,” but the band and Penn began to hone their collective voice with What’s Wrong With Right, last year’s sophomore effort on Proper American. That album landed in the Top Twenty of the R&R Americana Airplay chart for eight weeks, and was featured on NPR’s Morning Edition, followed by appearances on NPR’s Fresh Air With Terri Gross, and PRI’s Mountain Stage radio programs.
Dave Gonzalez, co-founder and lead guitarist for the group, adds, “When we first got to the AMAs, they told us, ‘You guys are too country for Americana’ . . . but there’s a whole lot of different kinds of bands that are associated with this kind of thing and I’d like to thank the Association for bringing all of us misfits together — we’re honored to be included in this nomination.” Recognized alongside the Hacienda Brothers are the Avett Brothers, the Duhks, Old Crow Medicine Show and Son Volt.
AMA winners will be announced on November 1st at the historic Ryman Auditorium during the 6th Annual Americana Music Association’s Honors and Awards Show.
Tickets to the showcases will be available to the general public and go on sale closer to the event. For further information visit: http://www.americanamusic.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 18, 2006
THE HACIENDA BROTHERS AND DAN PENN EXPAND DEFINITION OF “WESTERN SOUL” ON SECOND ALBUM
What’s Wrong With Right, due for June 27 release, is band’s debut for Proper American Recordings
TUCSON, Ariz. — With last year’s self-titled debut album, the Hacienda Brothers — the band led by singers/songwriters Chris Gaffney and Dave Gonzalez — won accolades for melding stone country and old-school R&B, a mix that has been described as “Western soul.” The soul derived not only from Gonzalez’s and Gaffney’s deep R&B influences, but also from the enlistment of legendary writer/producer Dan Penn. A honky-tonk influence, along with the recording of the album in the mountains and deserts of Tucson, provided the Western feel.
The band and Penn began to find their collective voice with last year’s debut, which charted Top Ten on the R&R Americana Airplay chart. The new album, titled What’s Wrong With Right — also helmed by Penn — kicks the collaboration into an even higher gear. The album, the Haciendas’ first for Proper American Recordings, is slated for June 27 release.
In addition to several stellar new Gonzalez/Gaffney originals, the album contains two “tributes” to Penn, including a redefining cover of “Cry Like A Baby” and “It Tears Me Up,” plus classics “Rebound” and “Life’s Little Ups and Downs.” There’s also a cover of Gamble & Huff’s “Cowboys To Girls,” made a hit by the Intruders in 1968.
Gonzalez and Penn first met at a festival in Europe between sets by Penn with Spooner Oldham and Gonzalez’s Paladins. Before their first collaboration, Gonzales recalls that Penn told him, “I got three rules. I don’t do nothin’ over the phone. I don’t do nothin’ over the mail, and I don’t do nothin’ over the Internet. I’m into hangin’ out.” As it turned out, Penn was particularly into hangin’ out in Tucson, which was one of the attractions of working with the Haciendas. The meeting of the minds amid the Tucson desertscape proved to be fruitful for all concerned.
Chris Gaffney split his time between Dave Alvin’s Guilty Men and his own band the Cold Hard Facts before becoming a Hacienda Brother. Cutting his teeth on the eclectic fare of Wolfman Jack on XERB before getting his start backing Webb Pearce and Ferlin Husky in a Toronto bar, explains that, “I was always a big R&B fan and I also like steel guitar, so I couldn’t see why the combination wouldn’t work.” Meanwhile, Gonzales led San Diego’s Paladins and racked up credits as a session player. He’d known Gaffney for a long time. “At first we didn’t plan on having a band – we just hung out with each other and had a mutual respect for the same music. But every time we got together, somethin’ good would come out of it.” Enter Dan Penn and the 2004 release of their debut album, and now its follow-up, What’s Wrong With Right.
“We played 300 gigs in the last two years,” adds Gonzalez. “We also took a big step with our songwriting. We’re really proud of our new record.”
# # #
