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Chris Gaffney, RIP

(NODEPRESSION.NET) -- Liver cancer claimed vocalist, guitarist and accordion player Chris Gaffney the morning of April 17 at an Orange County, California hospital.

Gaffney and Dave Gonzalez (best known from his long stint with the Paladins) led the Hacienda Brothers through three well-regarded albums: a self-titled debut (2005, on Koch, produced by Dan Penn), What's Wrong With Right (2006, on Proper American), and 2007's self-released Music For Ranch And Town.

Gaffney also led the Cold Hard Facts, and was among Dave Alvin's Guilty Men. His fourth solo album, 1995's Loser's Paradise (HighTone), included contributions from Lucinda Williams (he had played accordion on her self-titled album) and Jim Lauderdale. His last solo outing, Live & Then Some, was released in 1999 by Tres Pescadores.

His credits include appearances on albums by Rick Shea, Christy McWilson, Amy Farris, James Cotton, Billy Bacon & the Forbidden Pigs, Bill Kirchen, and Tom Russell.

A series of benefits has been ongoing to defray his medical expenses.

Posted by grant on April 17, 2008 9:45 PM | Permalink