Emerson Swinford


Emerson Swinford, a native of Chicago, is a Los Angeles-based guitarist, composer/songwriter and producer. He is currently a guitarist in the Rod Stewart band, and was formerly a member of the band Drill, a precursor to industrial-nu metal group Static-X.

Career

Swinford's guitar work can be heard on the 2018 album release by Stewart, called Blood Red Roses, the 2015 release Another Country and 2013's Time. Blood Red Roses and Time both went to number 1 on the UK Albums Chart. Another Country has since reached Platinum sales and Time has achieved Double Platinum sales status there. Time also went to number 7 on the US Billboard chart. Emerson has numerous co-writing credits with Stewart including "Honey Gold", "Vegas Shuffle", as well as co-writing "The Drinking Song". Along with writer/producer Kevin Savigar and Rod Stewart, Emerson co-wrote two songs on the Time album, "Finest Woman" and the title track "Time".
In 2016 he released a self-titled album available on his website and on iTunes. Emerson's theme and under-score music composed for the hit comedy Hot in Cleveland won him ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards in 2011, 2012, and 2014. He is also a composer for the TV Land network comedy series The Soul Man and Retired at 35 and has had many TV and film song placements including The Hills, The Ghost Whisperer, and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. As a session guitarist, Emerson has recorded with a diverse roster of artists such as Jennifer Love Hewitt, Delerium, Rod Stewart, Paul Oakenfold, Liz Phair, Jim McGorman, P. J. Olsson, Fisher, Kimberley Locke, Natalie Cole, Kenny G and many others, as well as performing on the soundtracks for the movies Just Like Heaven, Planet of the Apes and Power Rangers. His guitar work is also featured on several national TV commercial spots including St. Ives and Coors Light. Emerson is a co-writer of the hit single "Barenaked" for actress and singer Jennifer Love Hewitt. He was the musical director and touring guitarist for Tony award-winning actress and singer Idina Menzel, famous for her roles in Disney's Frozen, Broadway's Wicked and Rent, and the TV show Glee.

Selected discography

YearAlbumArtistCredit
1997P.J. OlssonP.J. OlssonGuitar
1998Power RangersGuitar
1999Words For LivingP.J. OlssonGuitar
2000HauntedPoeGuitar
2000Planet of the Apes Danny ElfmanGuitar
2001BunkkaPaul OakenfoldGuitar
2001True NorthFisherGuitar
2002BareNakedJennifer Love HewittGuitar
2003Girls Night Out, Vol. 2 Various ArtistsGuitar/Composer
2003DepartureCarla WernerGuitar
2003PerfectoPaul OakenfoldGuitar
2003Just So You KnowHolly PalmerProducer/Composer/Guitar
2004Billy MilesBilly MilesProducer/Composer/Guitar
2005Crash: Music from and Inspired by the Academy Award-winning movie CrashProducer
2005Extraordinary WaysConjure OneGuitar
2005Just Like Heaven Guitar
2005Beautifully InsaneP.J. OlssonProgramming, Composer, Mixing, Guitar, Producer
2005Lost Art of the Idle MomentCarmen RizzoGuitar
2006I'm in the Mood for Love: The Most Romantic Melodies of All TimeKenny GGuitar
2006If Your Memory Serves You WellSerena RyderGuitar
2006The World is Falling DownJamestown Guitar/Composer
2007Based on a True StoryKimberley LockeGuitar
2007American ScreamP.J. OlssonGuitar
2008Acoustic CafeFisherGuitar
2009Never Say GoodbyeSarah BettensComposer
2009WaterFisherComposer/Guitar
2009Spectacular! Guitar
2010Danny Elfman & Tim Burton 25th Anniversary Music BoxTim BurtonGuitar
2011Cas Nás NaucíPetr KolářGuitar/Composer
2012Merry Christmas BabyRod StewartGuitar
2012Music Box OperaDeleriumGuitar
2013TimeRod StewartGuitar/Composer
2015Another CountryRod StewartGuitar/Bass/Vocals/Composer
2016Emerson Swinford Emerson SwinfordProducer/Composer/Mixer/Guitar/Bass/Vocals/Programming
2018Blood Red RosesRod StewartGuitar/Bass/Composer

Main source for discography: