Malford Milligan
Encyclopedia
Malford Milligan is an American
Austin, Texas
-based soul
, blues and rock
singer who has been compared to Otis Redding
and Al Green
.
, to Frank and Mary Milligan. In 1981, after a period as a sociology student at Texas Tech University
, Milligan moved to Austin to begin studies at the University of Texas. Instead, his Monday night blues jams became the beginning of a life in music. His local band, the Stick People, launched his career as a talented singer.
, with David Holt, David Grissom
, and the rhythm section from Stevie Ray Vaughan
's Double Trouble
, which included bassist, Tommy Shannon
, and drummer, Chris Layton. As a session singer, Milligan was in great demand. He toured and worked on albums together with other outstanding musicians, including Hal Ketchum
, Marcia Ball
, Alejandro Escovedo
, Sue Foley
, Eric Johnson
and Chris Smither
. During this period he also expanded his horizons from strictly secular music, privately releasing the two benefit albums, The Gospel According to Austin and The Gospel According to Austin, Vol. 2. Milligan fronted the Boneshakers band in 2001-3. He left the Boneshakers to form his own group, the Malford Milligan Band, which released Rides Again... on the Varese Sarabande label in 2006.
In 2008/2009, he was touring with Greg Koch, a multifaceted electric guitarist capable of fluently playing a gamut of musical styles. Together they formed a band called Nation Sack -drawing their name from the lyrics of a Robert Johnson song entitled "Come On in My Kitchen"- who released an album under the same name in 2009 which includes a blending of electric blues and rock styles. When performing live, Nation Sack is known to cover songs from Jeff Beck
and Led Zeppelin
, such as "Hi-Ho Silver Lining," "Rock and Roll," and excerpts from such classic tracks as "Dazed and Confused" and "Heartbreaker."
Currently, Malford has moved back to Austin and started getting back into the music scene there. An early highlight of his return to Austin was his appearance (along with David Grissom
) at Antone's for Blue Tuesday on 20 October 2009. The last two songs performed at this were "Change is Gonna Come" which appeared on Storyville's first album and "What Passes for Love" from Storyville's second album.
He can be heard on the Eric Johnson
album "Up Close
" released in 2010 singing "Brilliant Room"
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
-based soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
, blues and rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
singer who has been compared to Otis Redding
Otis Redding
Otis Ray Redding, Jr. was an American soul singer-songwriter, record producer, arranger and talent scout. He is considered one of the major figures in soul and R&B...
and Al Green
Al Green
Albert Greene , better known as Al Green, is an American gospel and soul music singer. He reached the peak of his popularity in the 1970s, with hit singles such as "You Oughta Be With Me", "I'm Still In Love With You", "Love and Happiness", and "Let's Stay Together"...
.
Early life
Malford Milligan was born in Taylor, TexasTaylor, Texas
Taylor is a city in Williamson County, Texas, United States. The population was 13,575 at the 2000 census; it was 15,191 in the 2010 census estimate. Taylors largest employers include the Electric Reliability Council of Texas , Durcon Inc, and the T. Don Hutto Residential Center, an immigration...
, to Frank and Mary Milligan. In 1981, after a period as a sociology student at Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University, often referred to as Texas Tech or TTU, is a public research university in Lubbock, Texas, United States. Established on February 10, 1923, and originally known as Texas Technological College, it is the leading institution of the Texas Tech University System and has the...
, Milligan moved to Austin to begin studies at the University of Texas. Instead, his Monday night blues jams became the beginning of a life in music. His local band, the Stick People, launched his career as a talented singer.
Career
In 1994, he helped form the Texas supergroup, StoryvilleStoryville (band)
Storyville was a blues-rock band formed in 1994 in Austin, Texas, USA. Drummer Chris Layton and bassist Tommy Shannon, former members of Arc Angels and the rhythm section for Stevie Ray Vaughan's band Double Trouble, formed the band with Malford Milligan after a jam session at Antone's...
, with David Holt, David Grissom
David Grissom
David Grissom is a US session guitarist who has played and toured with several of America's leading bands and recording artists.- Professional Biography :...
, and the rhythm section from Stevie Ray Vaughan
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Stephen Ray "Stevie Ray" Vaughan was an American electric blues guitarist and singer. He was the younger brother of Jimmie Vaughan and frontman for Double Trouble, a band that included bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer Chris Layton. Born in Dallas, Vaughan moved to Austin at the age of 17 and...
's Double Trouble
Double Trouble (band)
Double Trouble was the backing rhythm section for Texas blues rock guitarist and lead vocalist Stevie Ray Vaughan. Originally consisting of drummer Chris Layton and bassist Tommy Shannon, Reese Wynans would later join the outfit on keyboards.-History:...
, which included bassist, Tommy Shannon
Tommy Shannon
Tommy Shannon is an American bass guitarist best known as a member of the blues-rock group Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble and as an early bass player in Johnny Winter's band.-Biography:...
, and drummer, Chris Layton. As a session singer, Milligan was in great demand. He toured and worked on albums together with other outstanding musicians, including Hal Ketchum
Hal Ketchum
Hal Michael Ketchum is an American country music artist. He has released ten studio albums since 1986, including nine for the Curb and Asylum-Curb labels. Ketchum's 1991 album Past the Point of Rescue is his most commercially successful, having been certified gold by the Recording Industry...
, Marcia Ball
Marcia Ball
Marcia Ball is an American blues singer and pianist, born in Orange, Texas but who grew up in Vinton, Louisiana. She was described in USA Today as "a sensation, saucy singer and superb pianist.....
, Alejandro Escovedo
Alejandro Escovedo
Alejandro Escovedo is an American singer-songwriter.-Biography:The son of Mexican immigrants to Texas, Escovedo is from a family that boasts several professional musicians, including brothers Coke Escovedo and Pete Escovedo, and Sheila E...
, Sue Foley
Sue Foley
Sue Foley is a Canadian blues singer and guitarist.-Career:Foley has been writing and playing professionally since 1984. She has recorded ten albums, for both Antone's Records and Shanachie Records. She has spent over fourteen years on the road as a bandleader, lead vocalist, guitarist and...
, Eric Johnson
Eric Johnson
Eric Johnson is an American guitarist. Though he is best known for his success in the instrumental rock format, Johnson regularly incorporates jazz, fusion, gospel and country and western music into his recordings...
and Chris Smither
Chris Smither
Chris Smither is an American folk/blues singer, guitarist, and songwriter. His music draws deeply from the blues, American folk music, modern poets and philosophers.-Early life, influences and education:...
. During this period he also expanded his horizons from strictly secular music, privately releasing the two benefit albums, The Gospel According to Austin and The Gospel According to Austin, Vol. 2. Milligan fronted the Boneshakers band in 2001-3. He left the Boneshakers to form his own group, the Malford Milligan Band, which released Rides Again... on the Varese Sarabande label in 2006.
In 2008/2009, he was touring with Greg Koch, a multifaceted electric guitarist capable of fluently playing a gamut of musical styles. Together they formed a band called Nation Sack -drawing their name from the lyrics of a Robert Johnson song entitled "Come On in My Kitchen"- who released an album under the same name in 2009 which includes a blending of electric blues and rock styles. When performing live, Nation Sack is known to cover songs from Jeff Beck
Jeff Beck
Geoffrey Arnold "Jeff" Beck is an English rock guitarist. He is one of three noted guitarists to have played with The Yardbirds...
and Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
, such as "Hi-Ho Silver Lining," "Rock and Roll," and excerpts from such classic tracks as "Dazed and Confused" and "Heartbreaker."
Currently, Malford has moved back to Austin and started getting back into the music scene there. An early highlight of his return to Austin was his appearance (along with David Grissom
David Grissom
David Grissom is a US session guitarist who has played and toured with several of America's leading bands and recording artists.- Professional Biography :...
) at Antone's for Blue Tuesday on 20 October 2009. The last two songs performed at this were "Change is Gonna Come" which appeared on Storyville's first album and "What Passes for Love" from Storyville's second album.
He can be heard on the Eric Johnson
Eric Johnson
Eric Johnson is an American guitarist. Though he is best known for his success in the instrumental rock format, Johnson regularly incorporates jazz, fusion, gospel and country and western music into his recordings...
album "Up Close
Up Close (album)
-Personnel:Personnel are credited alphabetically.* Roscoe Beck - Bass Guitar* Kelly Donnelly - Engineer* Kevin Hall - Drums* Andy Johns - Mixing* Eric Johnson - Guitar, Vocals, Producer* Sonny Landreth - Guitar...
" released in 2010 singing "Brilliant Room"