Jeffrey Halford on tour in support of album re-release

Jeffrey Halford, longtime San Francisco-based, Americana/Roots-Rock singer/songwriter/guitarist - "Swamp Rock with Soul!" - who fronts long-running ensemble Jeffrey Halford & The Healers, is in the studio recording what will be the re-release of his critically-acclaimed album, RAILBIRDS.

Halford - who produced the just-released album MUDSHACK by San Francisco Americana-Folk guitarist, Peter Rudy - was recently proclaimed one of the "Ten Most Influential Artists of the Decade" by popular music, film and culture publication, PASTE MAGAZINE.

Locally, Jeffrey Halford and the Healers perform at the 58th Annual Sausalito Art Festival, 2400 Bridgeway, Marinship Park, Sausalito, Saturday, September 4. 4-6 p.m. (headlining the Artist's Stage); $20. (General Admission); $15. (Seniors over 62); $30. (3-day Weekend Pass). Info: (415) 332-3555 or log onto www.sausalitoartfestival.org.

Also at Rancho Nicasio, at their popular Barbeques on the Lawn Series, Sunday, September 5. Gates open 3 p.m., Music starts 4 p.m. $20. #1 Old Rancheria Road, Nicasio. Info: (415) 662-2219 or log onto www.ranchonicasio.com.

At Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena Sept. 24 www.coffeegallery.com

Halford has recently been performing as part of the popular Wine & Roses: Songwriters In The Round" series. Jeffrey's body of work was recognized with a nomination in the "Americana Album Of The Year" category for his critically-acclaimed CD, BROKEN CHORD (Shoeless Records) at the 19th Annual Los Angeles Music Awards. The LAMA's are the first and longest-running independent awards show of its kind; past nominees/winners include Grammy-winning artists the Black Eyed Peas, No Doubt front person and solo artist Gwen Stefani, and renowned blues-rock guitarist, Walter Trout.

Halford has been called "An Americana heavyweight" (MERCURY NEWS) for his heartfelt songs about the conditions of the everyday man and woman in America. Among his most memorable: "Cry of Hope," about Americans' need to keep faith in America; and "Louisiana Man," about the 2005 Hurricane Katrina disaster and our government's slow response to it. As validation of Halford's writing prowess, he won "2009 Songwriter of the Year" at the recent 5th Annual South Bay (Los Angeles) Music Awards. BROKEN CHORD went to #8 on the Americana radio charts.

In high school, Halford ditched classes and came only to take the tests. According to school records, he had the worst attendance of any graduating student. He decided to add trouble w/the law to his resume. Then came a guitar from his dad, and things started to turn. After high school, Halford enrolled in architecture school in San Francisco. While walking along Market Street, he watched a legendary street band-Jimmy Ventilator and Harry Spider-playing Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Robert Johnson, and the Ventures. Halford convinced them that he should join the band.

For more than a year, he cut his guitar chops on the street, playing to crowds in Chinatown and Union Square until the police closed them down. His street gig led him to play with Oakland blues greats Sonny Lane, Mississippi Johnny Waters, and JJ Malone in clubs throughout that city. He also formed his own roots rockabilly band, "The Snappers," playing for students at U.C. Berkeley, serving as the house band at Ruthie's Inn in Berkeley, and performing with the Blasters, Chris Isaak, and the Beat Farmers. Music was Halford's salvation.


Based in San Francisco over the last 15 years, Halford has been touring the country with his band, the Healers. They've played shows with some of the most acclaimed artists and songwriters, including Taj Mahal, Los Lobos, Etta James, The Radiators, Robert Earl Keen, John Hammond, Augie Meyers, Dave Alvin, Guy Clark, and Chuck Prophet, among others. His newest and fifth CD, "Railbirds," is the follow-up to the critically acclaimed "Hunkpapa." His original roots rock 'n roll songs etch a uniquely American, and specifically California, landscape.

Halford's song "Rock N' Fire" has been featured on nationally-syndicated radio show, BLUES DELUXE, heard weekly over one-hundred-plus stations throughout the U.S. and Canada with a two-million-plus listenership. Three tracks from BROKEN CHORD were also added to regular rotation on KPIG-FM in San Francisco. This past summer, BROKEN CHORD remained in the Top 20 Americana Charts for nine consecutive weeks, receiving over 3,500 spins - placing it on a par with such renowned artists as Wilco, Steve Earl and Ryan Adams.

www.jeffreyhalford.com
www.myspace.com/jeffreyhalfordandthehealers