Marshall Ford Swing Band

Artist Information

Biography

The living room clock of Marshall Ford Swing Band songwriter-guitarist Greg Harkins has the 3 and 9 switched. The clock runs counter-clockwise, but Harkins sees no problem with it. In fact, the clock’s irregularity perfectly fits into the makeup of the Austin swing band’s aesthetic.

“We’re heading into the past, man,” Harkins says with a smirk.

Harkins and his band mates have been evoking that past since 2008. They pride themselves on playing Western swing music the way the legendary Johnny Gimble — MFSB singer-pianist Emily Gimble’s grandfather — plays, the way Bob Wills and Hank Thompson used to when they ruled the Texas scene. They’re unique in their modern execution of the antiquated art.

“It’s fun to play,” Harkins says of Texas swing music. “It’s got hip changes. You can’t help but tap your feet and snap your fingers to it.”

Named for the predecessor of Lake Travis’ Mansfield Dam, the band’s roots were planted in 2003 by Harkins. Raised on Willie Nelson’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and Bob Wills’ “For the Last Time,” the band’s interest in swing music took them to Johnny Gimble’s swing camp in Taos, N.M., where they met Emily and knew they had to start playing with her regularly.

“Emily Gimble ... sings with an amazing, free, effortless style. She sounds a little bit like Norah Jones and Billie Holliday, but it’s not as mannered or stuffy as other female singers ... What I like about Emily is that she is totally unaffected, and the music just pours out of her, like it floats up out of her body, like an essential part of her.” - Elana James, Hot Club of Cowtown

They persuaded Emily to move from Waco to Austin and brought in bassist Kristopher Wade and drummer James Gwyn to complete the quintet. Since then, it’s been delighting fans with its upbeat swing and guitar magic in Austin and beyond. The band often plays with different pairings depending on the gig.

Fans of the Marshall Ford Swing Band will get a heavy dose of Emily’s sultry vocals, Greg’s playful guitar phrasings, and Kris and James’ tight rhythm section on this year’s IT’S ABOUT DAM TIME, the band’s first full-length studio album. Recorded at Austin’s famed Tequila Mockingbird Studios and produced by Danny Levin, the album showcases the band’s healthy dose of original tracks — each member contributed at least one song — along with some of Western swing’s most beloved standards.

Altogether, the album proves to be a welcome introduction to members of Marshall Ford Swing Band, modern day carriers of western swing’s torch.

“A lot of people I know will play swing music,” says Emily, “but it’s not the same as with these guys. We pull off Western swing very well. It’s special.”

”The Marshall Ford Swing Band harnesses the energy of the group’s live shows on its debut release, IT’S ABOUT DAM TIME. From toe-tapping Western swing to debop jazz, the album shows the band’s ability to play several styles of music and play them well. Check out the sultry vocals of pianist-singer Emily Ann Gimble — granddaughter of legendary fiddler Johnny Gimble — on “You’re Why” and the frantic guitar work on the instrumental “Section 8.” This is the rare album that doesn’t have a track you skip every time you listen.” - Austin Monthly

“There’s something about hearing musicians in their 20s perform swing tunes more than twice their age and really nailing it. The affection the Marshall Ford Swing Band has for the music comes through both in its originals and the covers, which makes listening to [IT’S ABOUT DAM TIME] a joy.” - The Austin Chronicle

“... the moving between an old jazz feel and a traditional country feel gives [the band] an album that is full of unique twists and turns. Balancing the vocal leads between male and female captures your attention throughout the album ... but the incredible musicianship [band members] possess is the truly impressive part of this album. ...” - Today’s Country magazine

“This group’s tunes are reminiscent of the early days of swing music, where the bass kept the beat and the mandolin was a prominent fixture.” Austin American-Statesman



The Nancy Fly Agency
KT Gardner
(512) 288-2023

Instrumentation

Emily Gimble- Piano/vocals
Greg Harkins- Guitar/ Vocals
Kris Wade -Upright Bass
James Gwyn-Drums

Discography

Live from Lamberts - 2008
It's About Dam Time - 2010

Audio

• Home in San Antone
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• Lyla Lou
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• Bar Room Waltz
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• Marie
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• Feelin' Blue for Texas
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• Poor Butterfly
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Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Asleep at the Wheel [+ Show ]
  

  “Listening to the Marshall Ford Swing Band is a pure joy! Emily [Gimble] and Greg [Harkins] are two ...“Listening to the Marshall Ford Swing Band is a pure joy! Emily [Gimble] and Greg [Harkins] are two of the finest young singers around, and so is James [Gwynn]! This generation of swing musicians is as inspired and accomplished as its predecessors, and their selection of material makes me jealous it’s so cool!! Great guitarists, cookin’ rhythm section, great vocals and arrangements — what a band! And Danny Levin on piano, too! Having known Emily since she was a baby, it’s delightful to listen to her amazing voice on [IT’S ABOUT DAM TIME]. Buy it, put it on your record machine or CD player, snap your fingers and dance the night away!
  
  

• Johnny Gimble
  

  "The best damn band!"

• SXSW Records [+ Show ]
  

  The Marshall Ford Swing Band It's About Dam Time There's something about hearing musicians in th...The Marshall Ford Swing Band
  
  It's About Dam Time
  There's something about hearing musicians in their 20s perform swing tunes more than twice their age and really nailing it. The affection the Marshall Ford Swing Band has for the music comes through both in its originals and the covers which makes listening to the debut a joy. The local quintet's secret weapon is Emily Gimble, renowned fiddler Johnny's granddaughter, whose remarkable voice seems transported straight from the 1940s. The twin guitars of Greg Harkins and Jeremy Wheeless go a long way toward establishing MFSB's bona fides as well, replicating the Bob Wills sound with dexterity and confidence. Curiously, Marshall Ford was a place on Lake Travis that was replaced by Mansfield Dam, apropos considering the historical nature of the band's music. Cover choices "Marie" and "I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire" seem just a bit obvious, but otherwise It's About Dam Time is a devilish opening act.
  

• MARSHALL FORD SWING BAND [+ Show ]
  

  http://www.todayscountrymag.com/marshallfordalbumreview.html It's About Dam Time Self-Released ...http://www.todayscountrymag.com/marshallfordalbumreview.html
  
  It's About Dam Time
  Self-Released When you think of cities that are known for their music you instantly begin to associate the blues with Chicago, country with Nashville, and Austin, Texas, well there is no way to describe an Austin sound. The diverse music that comes out of Austin can span from any genre to the next and in the case of the Marshall Ford Swing Band's debut album It's About Dam Time, the moving between an old jazz feel and a traditional country feel gives them an album that is full of unique twists and turns. Balancing the vocal leads between male and female captures your attention throughout the album as both Greg and Emily provide outstanding voices to the songs, but the incredible musicianship they possess is the truly impressive part of this album. The songs lean heavy on the bass and utilize it's power to thump you through which helps to give cuts like "Marie" an added kick while also allowing songs like "Trouble, Trouble" and "Dreamin'" to twist in a traditional country vibe. The other prominent instrument you hear throughout the album is the 1920's style jazz piano that more or less transports back to an era in music that is often forgotten and gets your feet tapping on songs like "In A Shanty In Old Shanty Town." The combination of two genres and completely different feels makes this album diverse and unique amongst a scene right now that tends to fear taking chances. Where everyone else is following one another, The Marshall Ford Swing Band has set out on their own path and created a genre to call their own. While their style may be a bit too artsy for mainstream radio this no doubt will attract an underground following.

• Rose Reyes - Director of Marketing [+ Show ]
  

  "Everyone loves MFSB. They are the perfect Austin Texas Musical experience. They are sophisticated..."Everyone loves MFSB. They are the perfect Austin Texas Musical experience. They are sophisticated and professional. Musically, they represent regional genres with style and excellence and they are so darn fun. Everyone they play for raves!"

• Lauren Clonts [+ Show ]
  

  Austin American Statesman's Best Best: "This group's tunes are reminiscent of the early days of swi...Austin American Statesman's Best Best: "This group's tunes are reminiscent of the early days of swing music, where the bass kept the beat and the mandolin was a prominent fixture."

• Will Bridges [+ Show ]
  

  Fun for all ages, the Marshall Ford gang gets it right now matter the crowd! If you want your party...Fun for all ages, the Marshall Ford gang gets it right now matter the crowd! If you want your party to 'swing,' this is your band!

• Marshall Ford Swing Band - IT'S ABOUT DAM TIME [+ Show ]
  

  4 OUT OF 5 STARS The Marshall Ford Swing Band harnesses the energy of the group's live shows ...
  
  4 OUT OF 5 STARS
  
  The Marshall Ford Swing Band harnesses the energy of the group's live shows on its debut release, It's About Dam Time. From toe-tapping Western swing to debop jazz, the album shows the band's ability to play several styles of music and play them well. Check out the sultry vocals of pianist singer Emily Ann Gimble--granddaughter of legendary fiddler Johnny Gimble -- on "You're Why" and the frantic guitar work on the instrumental "Section 8." This is the rare album that doesn't have a track you skip every time you listen.

Setlist

SWING:

Is you is or is you ain't my baby
Bootheel drag
Fatboy rag
A smoothe on
Palm springs jump
The backbay shuffle
Stompin at the savoy
Mowin' the grass(original)

Bossanova:

Nuage
Perdido

Ballads:

Poor butterfly
If i had you

blues:

D natural blues
Too lazy to work
Corrine Corrina
Crawford Park blues
Trouble in mind

Typical set:
An assortment of Marshall Ford Swing Band Tunes - Can be heard on website. And an assortment of Western/Swing music.

Title - Source
On The Alamo - Bob Willis Tune
Right or wrong - Bob Willis Tune
I Don't Want to Set the World On Fire - Inkspots
The Way You Look Tonight - Old 40s Tune
Juniors Shadow - Johnny Gimble
If I Had You - Old Jazz Tune
Waltzin' The Blues - Johnny Gimble
Stompin' at the Savoy - Benny Goodman
A Smoothe One - Benny Goodman
Lila Lou - Bob willis
You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To - Old 40s Tune
Rose Room - Benny Goodman
The Girl I Left Behind Me - Bob willis
Always Late - Lefty Frizzell
A Shanty In Old Shanty Town - 30/40s Tune
I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me - 30/40s Tune
Nuages - Djano Reinhardt
Swedish Pastries - Barney Kessel

Basic Requirements

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