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Three's The Charm For The Hacienda Brothers

by conqueroo

Since 2003, the Hacienda Brothers, an alt-country band from Southern California, have traveled over 100, 000 miles and played more than 350 gigs in support of two critically acclaimed albums. In November, they'll make their third trip to the Americana Music Association (AMA) Conference, but it will be the first time they have been recognized with a nomination for the annual Americana Honors & Awards ("Duo/Group of the Year.")

"Three's the charm", says Hacienda Brothers co-founder Chris Gaffney. "This year will be our third trip to Nashville for the AMAs, so it's nice to get some official props for all the hard work and miles we've been putting on our van since we rolled this project out back in '03. Plus we love getting a chance to visit and catch up with our favorite Nashvillians, the Penns."

Gaffney of course is referring to Dan Penn, the legendary blue-eyed soul producer and singer/songwriter who helmed the production of both albums. The Hacienda Brothers' self-titled debut album won accolades for melding stone country and old-school R&B in a mix described as "Western Soul, " but the band and Penn began to hone their collective voice with What's Wrong With Right, last year's sophomore effort on Proper American. That album landed in the Top Twenty of the R&R Americana Airplay chart for eight weeks, and was featured on NPR's Morning Edition, followed by appearances on NPR's Fresh Air With Terri Gross, and PRI's Mountain Stage radio programs.

Dave Gonzalez, co-founder and lead guitarist for the group, adds, "When we first got to the AMAs, they told us, 'You guys are too country for Americana' . . . but there's a whole lot of different kinds of bands that are associated with this kind of thing and I'd like to thank the Association for bringing all of us misfits together — we're honored to be included in this nomination." Recognized alongside the Hacienda Brothers are the Avett Brothers, the Duhks, Old Crow Medicine Show and Son Volt. AMA winners will be announced on November 1st at the historic Ryman Auditorium during the 6th Annual Americana Music Association's Honors and Awards Show.



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