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: A fine night for Taylor Swift –
Taylor Swift's showing at the Country Music Association awards Wednesday night was no surprise. In some respects, it was invigorating to see someone who was not male and not around umpteen years like some of her male counterparts take home the biggest prize of the night, entertainer of the year. »»»
Concert Review: Radney Foster sparks a revival –
Radney Foster told fans that he came home from the University of the South one weekend early in his college career and told his parents in the wee hours of the morning that he wanted to quit college and head to Nashville to pursue a music career. His parents agreed...fortunately.
Three decades later, that resulted in Foster playing songs on this... »»»
Concert Review: Neko Case overcomes obstacles –
The opening of Neko Case's show was unusual to say the least. "I'm angry right now," said the red head. "We just had a big fight with the promoter. We're going to sing weird, but we're actually very happy to be here."
Making quite clear that she was not a happy camper, Case still channeled her musical energies... »»»
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