Chris Gaffney diagnosed with liver cancer
Wednesday, March 26, 2008 – Chris Gaffney, founding member and lead singer of the Hacienda Brothers, was just 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.
In early April, Gaffney will undergo chemotherapy. Although he has health insurance, it does not cover all of his medical costs and living expenses, according to his publicist.
To raise the necessary additional $60,000 a website was 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 St., Oakland CA 94609.
This summer, the Hacienda Brothers will release a new CD, which was recorded just before Gaffney 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.
Gaffney also has played extensively with Dave Alvin and released several albums on his own.
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Arizona Motel
Ironies abound in the music industry and the ones involving the death of a musician are often the most poignant. Chris Gaffney is the latest and most heartrending case in point. The well-travelled solo artist/Dave Alvin sideman/Hacienda Brothers front man was diagnosed with liver cancer just as he was beginning to get more recognition for his long and storied career, which began with his first solo albums for HighTone in the mid- to late '80s. And Gaffney's tragic passing back in April »»» |
Music for Ranch & Town
If you've ever had the pleasure of seeing the Hacienda Brothers live, you know their versatility comes out best on stage. Country, soul, blues and Tex-Mex mixed and played intensely with enough conviction and fun to hit whiskey - hard.
The limited-edition (and bare-bones packaged) CD comes from a excellent live recording on Norwegian radio, covering both of the band's full-length albums along with their distinct takes on the likes of "Mental Revenge," "Cowboys »»» |
What's Wrong With Right
The Hacienda Brothers are perhaps the musical cousins of Calexico in some respects. Core members Chris Gaffney and Dave Gonzalez are from Tucson as is Calexico's Joey Burns. But where Calexico goes for horns, the Hacienda Brothers opt for safe, but solid soulful country arrangements found on the Bonnie Raitt-ish "Midnight Dream" and the slow, wistful honky tonk of the title track.
The album is chock full of slow, soulful but punchy tracks like "Keep It Together" that has »»» |
Editorial: American Idol's Carrie Underwood can sing –
If anyone saw the Super Bowl – what a great great game that was – they would have heard American Idol winner and country superstar Carrie Underwood sing the National Anthem. Underwood did with her voice what Kelly Clarkson did last week with her written words – give it to Scott Borchetta, the head of Big Machine Records,, who tried defending Taylor Swift by knocking American Idol performers. »»»
Concert Review: McBride, Adkins shine sometimes –
As Martina McBride pointed out, the pairing of the country singer with Trace Adkins on their current jaunt was surprising. After all, she's of diva-quality voice, petite, non-controversial unless you call singing songs that empower women controversial. Adkins, on the other hand, has not been afraid to speak his mind with a kick butt attitude.... »»»
Concert Review: Eilen Jewell wears her musical hats well –
Eilen Jewell wears a lot of musical hats. The Idaho native, who now lives in Boston, fronts the Eilen (ee-lin) Jewell Band, a pretty much traditional country band. She's a member the Sacred Shakers, an octet doing gospel country with a country beat. And she has yet another project, Butcher Holler, covering Loretta Lynn songs.... »»»
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Haywire
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