BIOGRAPHY
Photo Bruce Wheeler
Guitar painted by Nathan Allan
Taken at the Maui Peace Portrait Concert 2003
Maui based singer/songwriter, Gail Swanson is one of Hawaii’s most dedicated rock performers. She has opened for Melissa Etheridge, Lisa Loeb, The Doobie Brothers, David Crosby and CPR, The Radiators, Cecilio and Kapono and has done numerous shows with Willie Nelson and Pat Simmons. She also played at Willie Nelson's Maui Music Festival where she shared the lineup with Los Lonely Boys, Ricki Lee Jones, Jack Johnson, and more.
Heavily influenced by a wide range of singer/songwriters including Ani Difranco, Sheryl Crow, Melissa Etheridge, Lisa Loeb, Bonnie Raitt and more, Gail's style is acoustic pop/rock with some songs crossing over into the country genre.
Swanson independently releases, promotes and distributes her own music, a catalogue of four CD’s. Her recent CD “Living in a Movie” won a Hawaiian music award, a “Na Hoku Hanohano” for BEST ROCK ALBUM OF THE YEAR. (Hawaiian Academy of Recording Artists)
“Living in a Movie” features special guests, Willie Nelson and Pat Simmons from the Doobie Brothers. The double CD includes 8 rock songs recorded in Nashville with a full band, and 8 acoustic songs recorded on Maui.
One song from that CD titled "Paper Doll" was on MTV "Road Rules/Real World Challenge: The Gauntlet" episode #4! The instrumental mix of this song was used as part of the soundtrack of this show.
Gail's 5th CD will be released in late 2008, and will include 3 songs produced by Doobie Brother Pat Simmons. Also lots of special guests playing on this one: Pat Simmons, Hutch Hutchison, Michael McDonald.... more soon! :)
Gail maintains a large and loyal fan base in Hawaii and all over the U.S. who support her “alternative folk/rock” acoustic show when she comes to their town. She promotes her own career with help from her regional fan clubs, street teams and on the internet.
As an artist, Gail loves to tour and perform, but her career focus is diverse. As a songwriter, her goal is to have major label artists record her songs, and to have her material in film/tv.
Gail is the co-founder of “Dream To Make a Difference” with Cindy Lester and Jeff Bass. They formed this non-profit organization and raised over $17,000 for Hawaii AIDS organizations at a concert in 2000.
Gail has signed endorsement contracts with RAINSONG GUITARS, YAMAHA FLUTES, and ELIXIR STRINGS.
Winner at the Kauai Music Festival - Songwriting Contest June, 2003
“Half a Heart” – Winner of the country category in the USA Songwriting Competition. 12/02
"Even the Angels Cried" - Finalist in John Lennon Songwriting Contest Pop category 2002
"Couple in the Corner" - Runner up in Country category John Lennon Songwriting contest.
"Half a Heart” -
Winner of Carole Bayer Sager’s “Valentines Day Songwriting Challenge”.
02/02
“Fill
Your Heart Up” – 2nd Place Lady Six String Songwriting Contest
11/02
“Half
a Heart” – Currently a finalist in the ISC Songwriting Competition