jeff whitehead

Blue Notes, the new album from Jeff Whitehead, is now available. Whitehead spent his twenties writing songs, driving around Texas playing dancehalls, divebars, listening rooms, flatbed trailers in fields and everything in between, playing keys and guitar for country acts, opening for some heroes, toasting whiskey with friends new and old and releasing the album Bloodhound Heart to critical praise.

Blue Notes, his sophomore album, follows his 2012 release Bloodhound Heart. Like Bloodhound Heart, Blue Notes features multi-instrumentalist and producer, Scott Davis of the Band of Heathens, at the helm. All songs were written by Whitehead and were recorded at Studio 601, in Austin, Texas. Whitehead says, “we handpicked some of my favorite musicians and coolest people on earth including Michael Inger (co-producer/engineer/mixing/drums), Matt Slagle (Bass), Lauren Hunt (harmony vocals), and Andrew Nolte (keys). Blue Notes was then mastered by Fred Kevorkian (Willie Nelson’s Songbird, Ryan Adams’ Jacksonville City Nights, etc.) in New York. Photography and artwork by Mark Abernathy in Austin, Texas.
 
Whitehead has shared the stage with Bruce Robison, Randy Rogers Band, Hayes Carll, K Phillips, Parker McCollum, Walt Wilkins, Rob Baird, Cory Morrow, Mike McClure, Chris King and many others at venues such as Gruene Hall, Floore’s Country Store and the Saxon Pub. Whether he is rockin’ with his band at a smoky dancehall or listening room, or just pickin’ a guitar or piano at home, you’ll notice one thing: he cares a hell of a lot about the song. And listeners are quick to pick up on this sentiment when listening to "Blue Notes“. The album captures the energy and soul that has been winning over radio stations and audiences and is another great example of Whitehead’s dedication to the craft of songwriting.

Whitehead stumbled into the world of songwriting when, living in College Station, Texas, he happened across a copy of American Songwriter Magazine and found their renowned Lyric Contest. Though he had written poetry and short stories, he had never written a song. After writing 5 songs, he mailed in his efforts and waited. The effort paid off. At age 19, he had won first place in the international contest for his song “Coffee and Dreams” (now featured on the album “Outlaw in My Mind”). 

Guitar: Gibson Hummingbird
Keyboard: Nord Electro II
Food: Enchiladas
Drink: Basil Hayden Bourbon