Don Heffington
Don Heffington | |
---|---|
Born | Los Angeles, California | December 20, 1950
Died | March 24, 2021 Los Angeles, California | (aged 70)
Genres | Rock music, Americana music |
Occupation(s) | Musician |
Instruments | Drums, guitar |
Years active | 1970–2021 |
Associated acts | Lone Justice, Watkins Family Hour |
Website | donheffington |
Don Heffington (December 20, 1950 – March 24, 2021)[1] was an American drummer, percussionist, and songwriter. He was a founding member of the Los Angeles alternative country band Lone Justice, which he performed with from 1982 to 1985. Heffington was also a member of the bluegrass band Watkins Family Hour, recorded three solo albums, and was a session and touring musician for various artists, including Lowell George, Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, Jackson Browne, Victoria Williams, the Wallflowers, the Jayhawks, and Joanna Newsom.
Early life[]
Heffington was born in Los Angeles on December 20, 1950. He grew up in a musical family – his grandmother played drums and his mother played upright bass, and they passed on their enthusiasm for jazz to Heffington.[2] Later, Bob Dylan's album Bringing It All Back Home broadened his musical scope to include rock and roll music. As a teen, Heffington joined a jazz band, The Doug Morris Quintet, on drums.[3][4]
Heffington was drummer for Emmylou Harris's Hot Band. In that capacity, he played on Blue Kentucky Girl (1979), as well as the 1983 album White Shoes.[5][6]
Career[]
Lone Justice[]
Heffington was a member of the first incarnation of Lone Justice, along with Maria McKee (vocals), Ryan Hedgecock (guitar), and Marvin Etzioni (bass). Heffington was with the band from 1982 until 1985.[7][8] In spite of being the group's second drummer, he joined early enough in its existence that McKee spoke of him as an "original member",[5] adding how Heffington was the only one she "never had any drama with".[2]
The presence of Heffington in the band was described by Spin in 1985 as a "kind of professionalizing force".[2] His sensitivity and musicality drew comparisons with Ringo Starr.[2] Etzioni stated how Heffington, like Ringo, "didn’t play drums, he played songs".[5] Hedgecock echoed the sentiment by dubbing Heffington the "King of Swing", recounting how he had "played with a few drummers before, but Don was the first musician that played drums I had encountered".[5]
Watkins Family Hour[]
Heffington was a member of the Watkins Family Hour, led by Sara Watkins and Sean Watkins. Other members include Sebastian Steinberg (bass), Greg Leisz (pedal steel), Benmont Tench (piano), and David Garza (guitar).[9][10]
Performing and recording[]
Heffington has played and/or recorded with many artists, including Dave Alvin,[11] Peter Case,[12] Vic Chesnutt,[13] Delia Bell,[14] Sheryl Crow, Bob Dylan,[15] Kathleen Edwards,[16] Lowell George,[17] the Jayhawks,[18] Rickie Lee Jones,[19] Sam Phillips,[20] Ron Sexsmith,[21] Percy Sledge, Big Mama Thornton, Big Joe Turner, the Wallflowers, Lucinda Williams,[22] and Dwight Yoakam.[23]
Solo and collaborative albums[]
Heffington briefly reunited with McKee for her solo album You Gotta Sin to Get Saved (1993).[5] Two years later, he and fiddler Tammy Rogers collaborated on the mostly instrumental In the Red.[23] This marked the first of three studio albums in his career. He released his first solo album nearly two decades later titled Gloryland (2014).[5] He said that he "wanted it to sound like some drunk falling down the stairs while he was practicing the trombone".[2] Heffington played most of the instruments in that album and recorded with engineer David Vaught.[23]
Contemporary Abstractions in Folk Song and Dance, released in 2015, was recorded live with Heffington (vocals, acoustic guitar), Tim Young (electric guitar) and Sebastian Steinberg (upright bass). Heffington performed as part of the Don Heffington Group with Tim Young, and Sebastian Steinberg.[23]
Later life[]
Heffington died on March 24, 2021, at his home in Los Feliz, Los Angeles. He was 70, and had been hospitalized for leukemia prior to his death.[2][5]
Discography[]
Recordings[]
- 1995: In the Red (Dead Reckoning) with Tammy Rogers[24]
- 2014: Gloryland (self-released)[25]
- 2016: Contemporary Abstractions in Folk Song and Dance (self-released)[5]
With Lone Justice[]
- 1985: Lone Justice (Geffen)[24]
- 2014: This Is Lone Justice: The Vaught Tapes 1983 (Omnivore)[24]
As Producer[]
- 2005: The Creekdippers – Mystic Theatre (Glitterhouse)[26]
- 2006: Ramsay Midwood – Popular Delusions & The Madness of Cows (Farmwire)[27]
- 2009: Amy Allison – Sheffield Streets (Urban Myth)[24]
- 2014: Chuck E. Weiss – Red Beans and Weiss (ANTI-)[24]
Also appears on[]
1980–1995[]
- 1980: Seals and Crofts – The Longest Road (Rhino)[24]
- 1983: Delia Bell – Delia Bell (Warner Bros.) reissued in 2006 on Wounded Bird[24]
- 1983: Emmylou Harris – White Shoes (Warner Bros.)[24]
- 1983: Leo Kottke – Time Step (Chrysalis)[24]
- 1985: Bob Dylan – Empire Burlesque (Columbia)[24]
- 1986: Bob Dylan – Knocked Out Loaded (Columbia)[24]
- 1991: Carla Olson and Mick Taylor – Too Hot For Snakes (Razor Edge)[24]
- 1992: Marvin Etzioni – The Mandolin Man (Restless)[24]
- 1993: Maria Mckee – You Gotta Sin to Get Saved (Geffen)[24]
- 1993: Chuck Prophet – Balinese Dancer (China / Homestead)[24]
- 1994: Marvin Etzioni – Weapons Of The Spirit (Restless)[24]
- 1994: Sam Phillips – Martinis & Bikinis (Omnivore)[24]
- 1994: Victoria Williams – Loose (Atlantic)[24]
- 1995: Peter Case – Sings Like Hell (Vanguard)[24]
- 1995: Peter Case – Torn Again (Vanguard)[24]
- 1995: Neal Casal – Fade Away Diamond Time (Zoo)[24]
- 1995: The Jayhawks – Tomorrow the Green Grass (American)[24]
- 1995: Kieran Kane – Dead Rekoning (Dead Reckoning)[24]
- 1995: Buddy Miller – Your Love and Other Lies (Hightone)[24]
- 1995: David Olney – High, Wide and Lonesome (Philo)[24]
- 1995: Tom Russell – The Rose of the San Joaquin (Hightone)[24]
- 1995: various artists – A Testimonial Dinner: The Songs of XTC (Thirsty Ear)[24]
1996–2000[]
- 1996: Rosie Flores – Honky Tonk Reprise (Rounder)[24]
- 1996: Jimmie Dale Gilmore – Braver Newer World (Elektra)[24]
- 1996: Bob Neuwirth – Look Up (Watermelon)[24]
- 1996: Fernando Ortega – Night of Your Return (RPI)[24]
- 1996: Sam Phillips – Omnipop (It's Only a Flesh Wound Lambchop) (Virgin)[24]
- 1996: Amy Rigby – Diary Of A Mod Housewife (Koch)[24]
- 1996: Kim Stockwood – Bonavista (EMI Canada)[24]
- 1996: Daniel Tashian – Sweetie (Elektra)[24]
- 1996: The Wallflowers – Bringing Down the Horse (Interscope)[24]
- 1997: Tony Gilkyson – Sparko (Askew)[24]
- 1997: Jonny Kaplan – California Heart (Muna Tea)[28]
- 1997: David Poe – David Poe (550 Music)[24]
- 1997: Adam Sandler – What's Your Name? (Warner Bros.)[24]
- 1998: Neal Casal – Basement Dreams (Fargo)[24]
- 1998: Peter Case – Full Service No Waiting (Vanguard)[24]
- 1998: Sinead Lohan – No Mermaid (Interscope)[24]
- 1998: Chuck Pyle – Keepin' Time by the River (Bee 'N Flower)[24]
- 1998: Amy Rigby – Middlescence (Koch)[24]
- 1998: Chris Stills – 100 Year Thing (Atlantic)[24]
- 1998: various artists – Pearls in the Snow: The Songs of Kinky Friedman (Kinkajou)[24]
- 1999: Blue Mountain – Tales of a Traveler (Roadrunner)
- 1999: The Derailers – Full Western Dress (Sire)[24]
- 1999: Buddy Miller – Cruel Moon (HighTone)[29]
- 1999: Adam Sandler – Stan and Judy's Kid (Warner Bros.)[24]
- 1999: Matthew Sweet – In Reverse (Volcano)[24]
- 2000: Nick Binkley – Let the Boy Jam (PSB)[24]
- 2000: Peter Case – Flying Saucer Blues (Vanguard)[24]
- 2000: The Drowners – Is There Something On Your Mind? (Wind-Up)[24]
- 2000: Jimmie Dale Gilmore – One Endless Night (Rounder)[24]
- 2000: Larry John McNally – Loose Ends (Leni Stern)[24]
- 2000: Christy McWilson – The Lucky One (Hightone)[24]
- 2000: Ramsay Midwood – Shoot Out at the OK Chinese Restaurant (Vanguard)[24]
- 2000: Geoff Muldaur – Password (Hightone)[24]
- 2000: Fernando Ortega – Home (RPI)[24]
- 2000: Rick Shea – Sawbones (Aim)[24]
- 2000: Randy Weeks – Madeline (Hightone)[24]
- 2000: Victoria Williams – Water to Drink (Atlantic)[24]
2001–2004[]
- 2001: Amy Allison – Sad Girl (Diesel Only)[24]
- 2001: Annie Rapid – Flood (Orchard)[24]
- 2001: Danni Leigh – Divide and Conquer (Audium Entertainment)[30]
- 2001: Over The Rhine – Films For Radio (Narada)[24]
- 2001: Chuck E. Weiss – Old Souls & Wolf Tickets (Slow River)[24]
- 2001: Eddie Zip – New Orleans Live in Hollywood (DJM)[24]
- 2002: Pieta Brown – Pieta Brown (Rubric)[24]
- 2002: Barry Goldberg – Stoned Again (Antone's)[24]
- 2002: Christy McWilson – Bed of Roses (Hightone)[24]
- 2002: Mike Stinson – Jack of All Heartache (Boronda Records)[31][32]
- 2002: Mark Olson – December's Child (Dualtone)[24]
- 2002: Peter Stuart – Propeller (Vanguard)[24]
- 2002: Victoria Williams – Sings Some Ol' Songs (Atlantic)[24]
- 2003: Vic Chesnutt – Silver Lake (New West)[24]
- 2003: Eleni Mandell – Country for True Lovers (Zedtone)[24]
- 2003: Dwight Yoakam – Population Me (New West)[24]
- 2004: Dave Alvin – Ashgrove (Yep Roc)[24]
- 2004: Peter Case – Who's Gonna Go Your Crooked Mile? (Vanguard)[24]
- 2004: Moot Davis – Moot Davis (Little Dog)[24]
- 2004: Amy Farris – Anyway (Yep Roc)[24]
- 2004: Peter Himmelman – Unstoppable Forces (Majestic)[24]
- 2004: Tift Merritt – Tambourine (Lost Highway)[24]
- 2004: Lila Nelson – Still Got the Farm (self-released)[24]
- 2004: Graham Parker – Your Country (Bloodshot)[24]
- 2004: Adam Sandler – Shhh...Don't Tell (Warner Bros.)[24]
- 2004: Percy Sledge – Shining Through the Rain (Varèse Sarabande)[24]
2005–2007[]
- 2005: Vic Chesnutt – Ghetto Bells (New West)[24]
- 2005: Grey DeLisle – Iron Flowers (Sugar Hill)[24]
- 2005: Red Grammer – Be Bop Your Best (Red Note)[24]
- 2005: Gratitude – Gratitude (Atlantic)[24]
- 2005: Judy Henske – She Sang California (Fair Star Music)[24]
- 2005: Rick Shea – Bound for Trouble (Tres Pescadores)[24]
- 2006: Dave Alvin – West of the West (Yep Roc)[24]
- 2006: Chris and Thomas – Land of Sea (Defend Music)[24]
- 2006: Tim Easton – Ammunition (New West)[24]
- 2006: Albert Lee – Road Runner (Sugar Hill)[24]
- 2006: Kip Boardman – Hello I Must Be (Mesmer)[24]
- 2006: Tony Gilkyson – Goodbye Guitar (Rolling Sea)[24]
- 2006: Marley's Ghost – Spooked (Sage Arts)[24]
- 2006: Joanna Newsom – Ys (Drag City)[24]
- 2007: Dead Rock West – Honey and Salt (Populuxe)[24]
- 2007: King Wilkie – Low Country Suite (Rounder)[24]
- 2007: Patrick Park – Everyone's in Everyone (Curb Appeal)[24]
- 2007: Jack Tempchin – Songs (Audio & Video Labs, Inc.)[24]
2008–2019[]
- 2008: Ted Russell Kamp – Poor Man's Paradise (Dualtone)[24]
- 2008: Greg Copeland – Diana and James (Inside Recordings)[24]
- 2008: Kathleen Edwards – Asking for Flowers (Zoë)[24]
- 2008: Inara George – An Invitation (Everloving)[24]
- 2010: Roy Jay – Fairfax Avenue (Rock Ridge)[24]
- 2010: Stan Ridgway – Neon Mirage (A440 Records)[24]
- 2011: Dave Alvin – Eleven Eleven (Yep Roc)[24]
- 2011: Orchestra Superstring – Easy (Dionysus)[24]
- 2012: Mark M. Dawson – The Writing Wall (Dawsophone)[24]
- 2012: Don Michael Sampson – Coyote (Red Horse)[24]
- 2013: The Living Sisters – Run for Cover (Vanguard)[24]
- 2013: Carrie Rodriguez – Give Me All You Got (Ninth Street Opus)[24]
- 2013: Ron Sexsmith – Forever Endeavour (Cooking Vinyl)[24]
- 2014: Wayne Haught – Fingers (Resist Not)[24]
- 2015: Dave Alvin and Phil Alvin – Lost Time (Yep Roc)[24]
- 2015: Jackson Browne – Standing in the Breach (Inside Recordings)[24]
- 2015: Ron Sexsmith – Carousel One (Compass Records)[24]
- 2015: Peter Case – HWY 62 (Omnivore)[24]
- 2015: Miranda Mulholland – Whipping Boy (Fontana North)[24]
- 2016: Jim Kweskin and Geoff Muldaur – Penny's Farm[24]
- 2017: Victoria Williams & the Loose Band / Victoria Williams – Town Hall 1995[24]
- 2017: Jerry Yester – Pass Your Light Around[24]
- 2017: Peter Case – On the Way Downtown: Recorded Live on FolkScene[24]
- 2017: Shelby Lynne and Allison Moorer – Not Dark Yet[24]
- 2017: Barry Goldberg – In The Groove[24]
- 2018: Big Kettle Drum – I Thought You'd Be Bigger[24]
- 2019: Various Artists – If You're Going to the City: A Tribute to Mose Allison for Sweet Relief[24]
- 2019: Josie Cotton – Everything Is Oh Yeah[24]
References[]
- ^ "RolandNote™Country Music Database Searches". RolandNote. Retrieved September 3, 2017.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f Wood, Mikael (March 25, 2021). "Don Heffington, Lone Justice drummer and session musician for roots stars, dies at 70". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
- ^ Steven Karras (February 17, 2014). "Poetic Justice for Alt-Country Progenitors". web2carz. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
- ^ "Butch Morris Time". Gems of Jazz. June 26, 2013. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h Willman, Chris (March 25, 2021). "Don Heffington, Lone Justice Member and L.A.'s Premier Roots-Rock Drummer, Dies at 70". Variety. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
- ^ Holly Gleason (March 1, 2016). "LSM Playlist: Nashville's "Great Credibility Scare" of the '80s". Lone Star Music Magazine. Retrieved September 3, 2017.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (May 27, 2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. ISBN 9780857125958. Retrieved September 3, 2017.
- ^ Thompson, John Joseph (2000). Raised by Wolves: The Story of Christian Rock & Roll. ECW Press. Retrieved September 3, 2017.
- ^ "We'll Steal Your Heart Away". You Make My World Rock. December 28, 2005. Retrieved September 3, 2017.
- ^ Crooks, Deborah (August 17, 2015). "An Hour-Plus of Watkins Family Joy". No Depression. Retrieved September 3, 2017.
- ^ Michael Dregni (October 1, 2004). "Dave Alvin: Blast Back to the Ashgrove". Vintage Guitar. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
- ^ Todd Everett (March 15, 1998). "Review: 'Peter Case'". Variety. Retrieved September 3, 2017.
- ^ Stephen M. Deusner (March 28, 2005). "Vic Chesnutt: Ghetto Bells". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
- ^ staff writer (June 6, 1983). "Picks and Pans Review: Delia Bell". People. Retrieved September 3, 2017.
- ^ Heylin, Clinton (March 15, 1997). Bob Dylan: The Recording Sessions, 1960-1994. ISBN 9780312150679. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
- ^ Martin Bandyke (April 8, 2008). "Five Questions for Canadian Singer-songwriter Kathleen Edwards". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
- ^ C. Michael Bailey (January 30, 2016). "Lowell George: The Last Tour". All About Jazz. Retrieved September 3, 2017.
- ^ Bogdanov, Vladimir; Chris Woodstra; Stephen Thomas Erlewine (2001). All Music Guide: The Definitive Guide to Popular Music (1 ed.). Hal Leonard Corporation. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
- ^ Bream, Jon (May 27, 2009). "Review: A special night with Rickie Lee Jones". Star Tribune. Retrieved September 3, 2017.
- ^ Troy Michael (August 1, 2012). "Sam Phillips: Martinis & Bikinis". Innocent Words. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
- ^ Hutchinson, Charles (October 13, 2015). "Canadian singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith sells out Pocklington gig on Carousel One tour". The York Press. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
- ^ Mirkin, Steven (July 31, 2001). "Review: 'Lucinda Williams'". Variety. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d Bliss Bowen (September 2, 2015). "From Sideman to Center Stage". The Argonaut. Retrieved September 3, 2017.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca cb cc cd ce cf cg ch ci cj ck cl cm cn co cp cq cr cs ct cu cv cw cx cy cz da db dc dd de df dg dh di dj dk dl dm dn do dp dq dr ds dt du dv dw dx dy dz ea "Don Heffington – Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
- ^ "Don Heffington – Album Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
- ^ "Mark Olson & The Creekdippers". KCRW. September 2006. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
- ^ Harcourt, Nic (January 12, 2007). "Ramsay Midwood". KCRW. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
- ^ Steinberg, Brian. "California Heart (Ripe, 2000) – Jonny Kaplan". Country Standard Time. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
- ^ "Buddy Miller". Lone Star Music. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
- ^ "Divide and Conquer – Danni Leigh". Fishpond.co.nz. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
- ^ Morris, Chris (January 9, 2003). "Six Pack of Lonely". LA Weekly. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
- ^ The Journal of Country Music. 22–23. Country Music Foundation. 2001.
External links[]
- Official website
- Don Heffington at AllMusic
- Don Heffington discography at Discogs
- Don Heffington at IMDb
- 1950 births
- 2021 deaths
- 20th-century American drummers
- 20th-century American male musicians
- 21st-century American drummers
- 21st-century American male musicians
- American male drummers
- American rock drummers
- American session musicians
- Deaths from cancer in California
- Deaths from leukemia
- Musicians from Los Angeles