Don Gallardo

Don Gallardo is a California-born singer-songwriter based in Nashville, with a style that draws on Americana, folk and 1970s classic rock. His songs combine introspective writing, a twangy sound and warm vocals, and he works in an acoustic-rooted, alt-country setting.

Background

Gallardo is born in Fairfax, California, and later moves between Chico, San Francisco and Los Angeles while remaining active in the local music scenes. He relocates to Nashville in 2007. His musical influences range from the Beatles, Elvis Presley, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Merle Haggard, Bob Dylan, The Band, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young to later artists including Wilco, The Jayhawks, Whiskeytown, The Mother Hips, Tom Petty and Ray LaMontagne.

Albums and recordings

His 2009 release, Sweetheart Radio Revolution, Etc., builds a following with folk-tinged songs and receives attention from alt-country and Triple A radio. In February 2011, he releases When The Daylight Whispers Darling..., which is produced by Neilson Hubbard and made available through digital outlets including iTunes, Rhapsody and eMusic. The album draws praise from Americana publications in the United States and Europe and also receives airplay on BBC Radio in the UK.

Later work and collaborations

Gallardo completes production on his third full-length album with his backing band How Far West, tentatively titled The Art Of Troublesome Times. It is his second album with producer Neilson Hubbard and features Jen Gunderman on organ, piano and accordion, Eamon McLoughlin on fiddle, and a duet vocal from Jill Andrews.

Live performances and associations

He appears with a wide range of artists, including Roseanne Cash, John Prine, Emmylou Harris, Jim Lauderdale, Delbert McClinton, Rogue Wave, The Mother Hips, Molly Hatchet, Peter Rowan, Webb Wilder, Hot Buttered Rum, Yonder Mountain String Band and Jolie Holland.

Reception

Gallardo is described in reviews as a careful singer and a strong songwriter, with songs about small-town life and an approach often compared to Ryan Adams-style alt-country. Other commentary highlights his storytelling and melodic, country-influenced writing.