"Woody Moran's songs sound like what might happen if Glenn Fry & Don Henley from the Eagles decided to join Steely Dan," commented one reviewer. "The cool blend of jazz, soul and old school rock, gives all of us "older songwriters" hope that real music is always welcome," said another review.
Finalist for the 2008 Best Rock Song of the Year by the Independent Singer Songwriter's Association (ISSA) with the title song from his debut CD, "Tu-Toned Stranger", Woody's music features a beautiful, haunting quality to his vocals, a singer-songwriter, acoustic guitar folk-rock style, and great hooks that have you humming the songs long after the music stops.
Woody is available individually or with full band for bookings at clubs, private parties, corporate events, home concerts, and more. Use the Contact form to learn more and schedule your event.
"A Brand New Situation" and "Tu-Toned Stranger" are available on iTunes & Amazon.com for download. Both CDs available on CD Baby.
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A Brand New Situation CD available thru CD Baby and downloads on iTunes.
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Woody Moran Bio
"Woody Moran is a singer/songwriter with a truly unique sound. Woody weaves excellent guitar skills with crisp, laid back vocals. His lyrics tell stories and he's got a knack for catchy melodies. Woody's talents are especially evident in a live setting; with heaps of stage presence, solid musicianship and an undeniable charm, he can grab the attention of a room immediately and hold them effortlessly with well-written songs and amusing comedic banter." Woody's Mom
Woody was born and raised under the open skies of Texas and Oklahoma, and like the Texas cowboys of old, has always had a restless traveler's soul. He headed out to Arizona when he was 20 to start playing professionally, which eventually led him on to California and a successful career in music.
Having studied violin and piano as a child, his high school involvement with music included snare drum in the marching band, 1st chair clarinet in the orchestra, and he was even awarded a university scholarship for upright bass in the school lab (jazz) band, all while playing guitar and singing in various rock bands.
It is this diversified musical perspective that is revealed in Woody's songwriting. "Woody Moran's songs sound like what might happen if Glenn Fry or Don Henley from the Eagles decided to join Steely Dan," commented one reviewer. "The cool blend of jazz, soul and old school rock, gives all of us "older songwriters" hope that real music is always welcome," said another review.
Woody's first CD, "Tu-Toned Stranger", was the result of a performance at a private party full of musicians at Tangier in Los Angeles where saxophonist Tom Scott was headlining. The response to Woody's brief set on acoustic guitar was epic. Calvin Banks (Roy Ayers, Big Mountain), was especially encouraging and asked if he could be involved in getting Woody's songs recorded. Calvin wound up co-producing the album which included performances by the late T Lavitz (Dixie Dregs), Barry Ledere (Brooks and Dunn), and Grammy award-winning producer Jeff Bova.
Woody's most recent CD, "A Brand New Situation" boasts guest performances by Mike Garson (David Bowie, NIN, Smashing Pumpkins), Mark Zonder (Fates Warning, Slavior), and award-winning German film composer Volker Barber. Mike Garson loved the music so much that he contributed a previously unpublished piano solo which serves as the introduction to one of the last songs on the CD. With songs like "It Will Come Back to You" which tells the story of how to exit a relationship with a psycho wack-job, and "She's Ready to Play" which Woody euphemistically describes as the challenges of loving a strong woman, Woody has laughingly called "A Brand New Situation" his collection of dysfunctional love songs.
After charting at #1 an unprecedented 42 weeks on Broadjam's Folk-Rock Chart, Moran was one of five international finalists in the 2008 International Singer Songwriter Association's Best Rock Song of the Year contest with "Tu-Toned Stranger". In 2010 his song "It Will Come Back to You" was chosen for a compilation CD for Adult Contemporary Radio Programmers. Woody's music is available to enjoy on Spotify and is in regular rotation on KCLA-FM in Los Angeles, CA, KBOO-FM in Portland, OR, and in Europe via West Coast Radio Network in France.
Woody Moran Little Known Facts:
Coolest Guitar: Without a doubt my1956 Martin 00-21 parlor guitar. Small body steel string, Brazilian rosewood back & sides with spruce top, slotted headstock and wide classical neck. I call it my Joni Mitchell guitar because it has that clear bright tone that Joni used in her early recordings, but for a little guitar it is unbelievably loud.
Coolest Performance Gig: Le Jazz Club, Paris, France. A friend hooked it up and gave the house musicians copies of my CD's. It was totally unexpected. They played, I sang. I felt like I was in one of those black & white movies from the 50's. Surreal.