GAIL SWANSON'S
MAUI MUSIC BLOG

 

FEB. 19th, 9:30am

I'll be playing at the Coachhouse in SanJuan Capistrano April 8th, opening for Hapa!  Please buy tix through my site so that the Coachhouse knows how many people I bring (and can pay me accordingly) CLICK HERE for information!  I LOVE playing on the mainland because I get to see friends and family!

FEB 18th 9pm

WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!! Annie and Willie Nelson have invited me to play a few songs at the annual July 4th Picnic in Austin, TX!
For tix and info, please visit www.thebackyard.net  I hope to see you there! Love, Gail

FEB 11, 2010 10am

IN TODAY'S MAUI NEWS: 

"With stellar friends like Michael McDonald, Pat Simmons, and John Cruz joining the festivities, Gail Swanson's CD release party at Mulligan's will undoubtedly be remembered as a legendary Maui night. Along with spotlighting Gail's latest recording, "Simple Truth," this amazing show at times featured a band of nine musicians including Bonnie Raitt's bassist James "Hutch" Hutchinson, McDonald's wife, Grammy-nominated singer Amy Holland, guitarist Tom Conway, drummer Paul Marchetti and Cris Sommer Simmons on backing vocals. Highlights included the Motown classic "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," with McDonald on vocals and keyboards, Cruz delivering favorites like "Island Style" and "Shine On," and a rousing finale of the Doobie's "Takin' It To The Streets" and "Long Train Runnin.' "

Jon Woodhouse, Maui News, February 11, 2010

FEB 6th 3pm

Last night was one of my favorite nights of my life.  Mulligans was filled with my best friends and I was on stage surrounded and supported by my favorite musicians!  It was an epic night on Maui, with Pat Simmons and Michael McDonald sharing their world famous talents and songs, superstars Hutch Hutchinson and Paul Marchetti were an incredible rhythm section, Tom Conway played flawless guitar, John Cruz with his soulful voice and harmonica, my good friend Jerry Byers played bass on "Half a Heart" (I've missed playing with him!)  We heard Mike McD play uke, and we had some great backup singers Amy Holland and Cris Simmons.  Amy also played a GREAT tune called "Back Down" off her new CD!  It was a sold out show, and I will never forget it.  I looked out into the sea of friends and said a prayer of thanks in my heart.  :)  I had a cold and it settled in my throat yesterday so singing was a little rough, but everyone was very supportive and sweet. This morning I woke up and wondered if I had a voice... so I laid in bed and gently said... "test... test... is thing on?"  *lol* Thank you so much to everyone who came out for the show! I love you guys. :)

JAN 28th 10pm

MAUI NEWS has a full page article on my new CD:  http://mauinews.com/page/category.detail/nav/5014/Maui-Beat.html  SO Nice of Jon Woodhouse and Rick Chatenever at the Maui News.  They have always supported me through the years and I really appreciate this.  Jon didn't mention everyone who helped on the CD, so please read more about them here.  This was definitely a group effort! :)

Also just confirmed that I will be playing 2 shows at Stella Blues on Valentines day.  Call for reservations/information.  874-3779.  My good friends own this restaurant and I really want them to have a busy night so please come! :)

JAN 20th 5pm

Its hard to BLOG every day but here's the latest!  My CD release party on Feb 5th is totally sold out.  It was all word of mouth, so I love that!  THANKS TO THE BEST FRIENDS IN THE WORLD!  I'm sending CDs to radio stations and hoping for some good feedback/reviews.  Today they played my Willie Nelson duets on Willie's radio station on sirius radio!  Bill Mack is the DJ and he and his wife Cindy are really supportive.  He said that today he Willie on air too and they were talking about my songs.  THANKS WILLIE AND BILL!  If you know of any DJs who might play my music, please let me know and I'll send them a CD and press release.  Thank you for your support! Peace, Gail

JAN 16th, noon

Wow a lot has happened since my last post.  I am booked at the Coachhouse in California on April 8th!  Please buy tix through my site so that I get credit for tix sales. (click on blue link above)  I'm opening for a great band "Hapa" - they are an incredibly talented duo - you will love them!  (www.hapa.com)  Once you buy tix through my site, you can call coachhouse for dinner reservations if you'd like to do the dinner thing.  Just make sure you tell them that you already bought your show tickets throught ME, the opening act.

SPECIAL THANKS to Pat Simmons for the link on the Doobie Brother's site, Amazon has sold out of my CDs so we are re-stocking now.  Digstation.com is still the best place to buy the digital download of songs or full CD, but its also available on i-tunes now.  Also you can order CDs and have them shipped immediately through my website www.gailswanson.com My CD Release party is almost sold out - we have about 30 tix left.  CAll 874-1131 for info/tix.   Thanks for your support!  Booking shows in Portland and Seattle soon. :)

Jan 10th, 9am

TICKETS ON SALE TODAY  FOR THE CD RELEASE PARTY FEB. 5, 2010!  Only 150 seats so call right away.  874-1131.  Dinner 6pm, show 7:30.  Tickets are $30 for show, and $49 with dinner.  You will LOVE THE SPECIAL GUESTS and this show will be so much fun!  Doobie Brother Pat Simmons, John Cruz, James "Hutch" Hutchinson, Tom Conway, Jerry Byers, Paul Marchetti and more.... :)  Sending out an email to all of my friends right now, gotta go!

Jan 9th, 2010 9pm

SO COOL!   My buddy Pat Simmons put an article and link to my CD on the front page of the Doobie Brothers Site! This is such a fun ride I am really thankful!  Check out the Doobies, they're the best!  THANKS PAT!  www.DoobieBros.com

 

Jan. 8th, 8:30 a.m.

Working on booking some mainland shows in 2010.  :)  Today I have a radio interview at KAOI at 11:30. 

Just got a really nice quote from my buddy Michael McDonald - I love my friends!

“Working on Gail Swanson’s latest project was definitely one my years highlights. Some of Gail’s best work, and making music with my good friends Gail, Pat Simmons and Dave Russell on the beautiful Island of Maui......It doesn't get any better than that. Not hard to tell that lot's of Aloha went into this recording.” Michael McDonald

Jan.  7, 2009  2:30 pm

Just got this great quote from Pat Simmons - he's awesome! This CD would not have happened without his help, Thanks Pat!

"Gail is one of my closest  friends here in Maui. She opened the Doobies' first concert at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center 15 years ago. Since then we have played together many times, shared a lot of musical ideas, and enjoyed the opportunity to explore writing and recording together. It's been so much fun, and I'm real proud of her and the CD."  Pat Simmons

Jan.  7, 2009  11:00 a.m.

The CD is up and running!  I'm in full promo mode now and thanks to alot of great friends, "Simple Truth" is getting some airplay and exposure.
THANK YOU for buying the CD! It is available on several sites:  www.GailSwanson.com, www.digstation.com, www.amazon.com and more to come. Also thanks to Kris Arnett, the GM of Maui Borders.  She is playing it in the store and selling lots of CDs.  I will do an in-store performance there soon.  We are planning the CD release party for Mulligans on Feb. 5th and tix info will be announced in the next few days - the players are going to be incredible.  I just did an interview at KAOI radio with Cindy Paulos, and Jack Gist is helping me with radio promo ideas too.  More interviews coming soon with Mike McCartney and Manao Radio.. will keep you posted. Thank you for all of your support. :)

New quote from Willie today - THANKS WILLIE!

"I just had the pleasure of singing and playing a great song, The One That Got Away, with Gail Swanson, my good friend from Maui.  Check it out, I think you will love the whole CD. She is the real deal!  Aloha, Willie Nelson"