Jeffrey Halford & The Healers - Performing At the Plough and the Stars February 20, 2009

Acclaimed Americana singer/songwriter Jeffrey Halford didn’t set out to write a new political song. But things changed the day he was driving through the bucolic Sonoma Valley of the Moon and saw the ripped remnants of an American flag flying high atop a lone Eucalyptus tree. That singular vision inspired the recently-released single, “Cry of Hope.”

Jeffrey Halford and the Healers perform at the Plough and the Stars, 116 Clement St., San Francisco, Friday, Feb. 20, 9 p.m. Tix $8-$10. Info: (415) 751-1122 or log onto http://www.theploughandstars.com.

Halford is nominated for “Best Independent CD,” “Songwriter of the Year,” and “Song of the Year” (for “Cry Of Hope”) at the 5th Annual Los Angeles South Bay Music Awards, Sat, Feb. 21 at the L.A. Sports Arena. Log onto www.southbaymusicawards.com/Nominees.php to vote. He is also nominated in “Best Male Vocalist” category for the 2009 Rockwired Readers Poll (www.rockwired.com/2009ballot.html).
No stranger to calling out American injustices as he did in his last critically acclaimed CD, Broken Chord, Halford believes we’re at a crossroads politically. The tattered flag he saw that day encapsulates all that is right and wrong about America in 2008: the beauty and resilience of our country, a country founded upon the highest ideals, yet a country that is beset with problems at home and disrespected abroad. That the flag keeps flying, even in its battered state, is hope that our country can right a ship that has veered far off course for the past 8 years. Change—a new vision of leadership from an inspired, visionary leader—is the answer. This is a song that perfectly captures this moment in time, and rallies us to action for the November presidential election. Recorded live without any overdubs in one inspired session, Halford’s acoustic guitar is complemented by the Healers’ Adam Rossi on keyboards, Paul Olguin on bass and Billy Lee Lewis on drums. Halford has released five critically acclaimed CDs. Broken Chord reached #8 on the Americana charts. His unique sound blends blues, rock, pop, country and soul in a stew all his own.

Official Website: http://www.theploughandstars.com