BAND DETAIL: Lauren Gifford
The girl next door, a celebrated Jazz Diva, an insightful poetic
singer/songwriter or the occasional rock 'n roll brat - Lauren Gifford
does not have to play any of these roles, she IS all of that and more at
all times.
Born in upstate New York she lived all over the United States in her
childhood, following a pilot father and an airline flight attendant
mother, before settling down in the Dallas Fort Worth area in Texas
several years ago.
Her father's great love for Jazz legends like Billie Holiday or Dave
Brubeck provided a musical atmosphere that fostered the development of
Gifford's wonderfully independent talent. Later, endless hours of James
Taylor and David Foster helped to round out and widen her musical scope.
Lauren Gifford's music is emotions expressed, period. She sings and
plays what she feels. Her music speaks of the truth deep in our hearts
and provides a glimpse onto the surface of the soul. "You sing what I
always wanted to say." said a female listener, "Listening to you lets me
start to almost understand women." from a male fan.
Though often compared to Sarah McLachlan or Natalie Merchant, Lauren
Gifford developed her very own unique style of singing with a voice
that's "captivating and pure" (fan comment). Her reckless and
extravagant piano playing leaves the most demanding critics breathless.
"Sitting Pretty", Lauren Gifford's debut release, was her first bold step into
the limelight of musical fame. After a record breaking on-air visit with
Dallas's very own superstar shock-jock Russ Martin, her web site was stormed by
more than 11,000 visitors registering more than 20,000 song downloads within the
following weeks. The CD release was celebrated with a sensational concert at the
legendary Gypsy Tea Room in Dallas drawing visitors from around the country, all
the way to LA and the revealing of a 16 ft. billboard that graced a major Dallas
freeway for the better part of the year.
More than 150 live performances later (Dallas, Boston and Florida),
Gifford has her sights on bigger and bolder goals. With her
production/artist development team Edith Letz and Oliver Letz and with
voice coach Tom McKinney (Destiny's Child, Beyonce) she is preparing new
material for the recording of her first full album in early 2005.
Growing interest by major record companies as well as TV and radio
stations suggest the dawn of a very exciting year for Lauren Gifford.
Other highlights and milestones in 2004:
** Lauren Gifford's song "Never Look Back" is included in the "Don't
Mess With Texas Music Vol.2" sampler next to contributions by The
Crusaders, Pat Green, Los Lonely Boys, Clint Black, The Vaughan
Brothers, Beyonce, Steve Miller, Bonnie Raitt, George Strait, Eric
Clapton and more benefiting music education in Texas schools.
** Lauren Gifford's song "Sleepwalker" is featured as a download for
donation on Clear Channel's HelpCureBreastCancer website
** Lauren Gifford's song "Sleepwalker" is featured in the independent
movie "S.T.U.D.S."
** Lauren Gifford opened the Mix102.9 radio station's Christmas at the
Hard Rock featuring Tears For Fears.
Quote Curt Smith (Tears For Fears) when being introduced to Lauren at
the after show party: "Oh yeah, you are the girl with the Voice!"
** Lauren Gifford was invited to perform a concert at Bose¬ Corporation
headquarters in Boston which was video taped in HDTV for a client
demonstration DVD.
** Lauren Gifford was selected as headlining entertainment for the
largest hotel in Texas, the Adam's Mark in downtown Dallas.
