MEET GAIL

Maui based singer/songwriter, Gail Swanson, has toured and performed for years in Hawaii and the U.S. Mainland. She has played guitar and flute and written songs since she was 8 years old.

Throughout her career, Gail has opened for many great artists including Willie Nelson, The Doobie Brothers, Melissa Etheridge, Lisa Loeb, Leon Russell, David Crosby, Jon Anderson, Henry Kapono and more. She's also toured on the US mainland where one of her favorite songwriter shows was at the legendary Bluebird Cafe in Nashville.

Gail has released 5 CDs and her most recent CD, “Simple Truth” includes songs produced by Doobie Brother Patrick Simmons who also performed on several tracks. There are heartfelt duets on this CD with Willie Nelson, Michael McDonald and John Cruz.

Gail's fourth CD “Living in a Movie” was a double CD project that won a “Na Hoku Hanohano” award from the Hawaiian Academy of Recording Artists for Best Rock Album of the Year.

Gail's musical style is indie/acoustic and she loves to perform in settings where she can connect with the audience.

“Working on Gail Swanson’s latest project was definitely one my years highlights. Some of Gail’s best work, and making music with my good friends on the beautiful Island of Maui......It doesn't get any better than that. Not hard to tell that lots of Aloha went into this recording.” Michael McDonald

"Gail is one of our closest  friends here in Maui. She opened the Doobies' first concert at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center 15 years ago. Since then we have played together many times, shared a lot of musical ideas, and enjoyed the opportunity to explore writing and recording together.  It's been so much fun, and I'm real proud of her and the CD."  - Pat Simmons

"I just had the pleasure of singing and playing a great song, The One That Got Away, with Gail Swanson,  my good friend from Maui.  Check it out I think you will love the whole CD.  She is the real deal.  Aloha!"  - Willie Nelson

"It's always a pleasure to work with Gail and I had a great time working on her new CD 'Simple Truth.' She really is one of Maui's Treasures!" James "Hutch" Hutchinson

“With stellar friends like Michael McDonald, Pat Simmons, and John Cruz joining the festivities, Gail Swanson's CD release party at Mulligan's will undoubtedly be remembered as a legendary Maui night. Along with spotlighting Gail's latest recording, "Simple Truth," this amazing show at times featured a band of nine musicians including Bonnie Raitt's bassist James "Hutch" Hutchinson, McDonald's wife, Grammy-nominated singer Amy Holland, guitarist Tom Conway, drummer Paul Marchetti and Cris Sommer Simmons on backing vocals. Highlights included the Motown classic "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," with McDonald on vocals and keyboards, Cruz delivering favorites like "Island Style" and "Shine On," and a rousing finale of the Doobie's "Takin' It To The Streets" and "Long Train Runnin.' " Jon Woodhouse, Maui News