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{{short description|American guitarist (born 1959)}}
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'''Gregory "Smokey" Hormel''' is a session guitarist who has recorded with [[Adele]], [[Beck]], [[R. L. Burnside]], [[Johnny Cash]], [[Cibo Matto]], [[Neil Diamond]], [[John Doe (musician)|John Doe]], the [[Dixie Chicks]], [[Erasmo Carlos]], [[Steve Earle]], [[Los Fabulosos Cadillacs]], [[Josh Groban]], [[Marianne Faithfull]], [[Wanda Jackson]], [[Mick Jagger]], [[K. D. Lang]], [[Sean Lennon]], [[Jennifer Nettles]], [[Beth Orton]], [[Kid Rock]], [[Joe Strummer]], [[Justin Timberlake]], [[Rufus Wainwright]], and [[Tom Waits]].
{{BLP refimprove|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Smokey Hormel
| honorific_suffix =
| image =
| image_upright =
| image_size =
| landscape = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank -->
| alt =
| caption =
| background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| birth_name = Gregory Hormel<ref name=AustinDailyHerald>{{cite web|url=https://www.austindailyherald.com/2013/07/the-career-of-smokey-hormel/|title=The Career of Smokey Hormel|website=Austin Daily Herald}}</ref> or Smokey Hormel<ref name=Cohen2017/>
| alias =
| birth_date = <!-- {{Birth date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}} for living people supply only the year unless the exact date is already WIDELY published, as per [[WP:DOB]] -->
| birth_place = [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], U.S.
| origin =
| death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} (death date first) -->
| death_place =
| genre = Americana-, Brazilian-, Caribbean-, and African-styled surf music
| occupation = Session guitarist
| instrument =
| years_active = <!-- YYYY–YYYY (or –present) -->
| label =
| associated_acts = Beck, Bettye Lavette, Tom Waits
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| website = [http://www.smokeyhormel.com/index.html Official site]
| module =
| module2 =
| module3 =
}}


'''Smokey Hormel''' (born circa 1959)<ref>Cohen (2017) quotes Hormel as saying he was "4 or 5 [years old]" when "[[I Want to Hold Your Hand]]" by [[The Beatles]] was "a big hit on the radio"; the song was released in America in December 1963.</ref> is an American guitarist known for his [[blues]]-influenced [[americana music|Americana]] style and working as a [[session musician]] with a wide array of performers.
Hormel was born and raised in [[Los Angeles]]. As a teenager he studied with the great [[Texas Playboys]], and [[Benny Goodman]] guitarist, [[Jimmy Wyble]].


== Early life ==
⚫
In the mid-1980s, he played lead guitar with the Radio Ranch Straight Shooters and later joined [[The Blasters]], with whom he toured the US and Europe from 1988 until 1992. At the same time, he formed [[The Blue Shadows]] with [[Lester Butler]], performing weekly in west Hollywood's King King club. Throughout the early 1990s, he toured and recorded with [[John Doe (musician)|John Doe]], the two of them appearing together in the movie ''[[Georgia (1995 film)|Georgia]]''.
Hormel was born and raised in [[Los Angeles]].<ref name=Cohen2017>Alex Cohen (2017). [https://www.npr.org/2017/01/07/508590030/how-smokey-hormel-became-the-quintessential-session-musician How Smokey Hormel Became The Quintessential Session Musician]. NPR.org, accessed 20 July 2021</ref> His given name has been reported as Smokey<ref name=Cohen2017/> or Gregory.<ref name=AustinDailyHerald/> Hormel is a great-grandson of [[George A. Hormel]], founder of [[Hormel Foods Corporation]].<ref name=Cohen2017/> As a teenager he studied with [[Jimmy Wyble]], guitarist for [[Texas Playboys]] and [[Benny Goodman]].


== Career ==
⚫
In 1996, he joined [[Beck]] for his [[Odelay]] world tour and played on his albums [[Mutations]], [[Midnight Vultures]] and [[Sea Change (album)|Sea Change]]. Two years later, he played with [[Tom Waits]] on his Grammy award-winning [[Mule Variations]] and was featured on his 1999 ''Get Behind The Mule'' tour.
⚫
In the mid-1980s, Hormel played lead guitar with the Radio Ranch Straight Shooters and later joined the roots-rock band [[The Blasters]], with whom he toured the US and Europe from 1988 to 1992. At the same time, he formed [[The Blue Shadows]] with [[Lester Butler]], performing weekly in West Hollywood's King King club. Throughout the early 1990s, he toured and recorded with [[John Doe (musician)|John Doe]], the pair appearing in the movie ''[[Georgia (1995 film)|Georgia]]''.


⚫
In 1996, Hormel joined [[Beck]] for his [[Odelay]] world tour and played on the subsequent Beck albums ''[[Mutations (Beck album)|Mutations]]'', ''[[Midnight Vultures]]'' and ''[[Sea Change (album)|Sea Change]]''. Two years later, he played with [[Tom Waits]] on the Grammy award-winning ''[[Mule Variations]]'' and was featured on Waits' ''Get Behind The Mule'' tour in 1999.
⚫
In 2000, he moved to New York City, where he formed [[Smokey & Miho]] (2000) with [[Miho Hatori]]; and later [[Forro in the Dark]] (2003) with Rob Curto and Mauro Refosco, which recorded and performed with [[David Byrne]], [[Seu Jorge]], [[Bebel Gilberto]] and [[Steve Earle]];. In 2005, he formed '''Smokey's Secret Family''', which plays [[Brazilian music|Brazilian]], [[Caribbean music|Caribbean]], [[African music|African]] [[surf music]]; and '''Smokey's Round-up''', a [[western swing]] band.


⚫
In 2000, Hormel moved to New York City, where he and [[Miho Hatori]] formed [[Smokey & Miho]]. In 2003, [[Forro in the Dark]] was formed with Rob Curto and Mauro Refosco. The group recorded and performed with [[David Byrne]], [[Seu Jorge]], [[Bebel Gilberto]] and [[Steve Earle]]. In 2005, Hormel formed Smokey's Secret Family, which plays [[Brazilian music|Brazilian]]-, [[Caribbean music|Caribbean]]-, and [[African music|African]]-styled [[surf music]]; and Smokey's Round-up, a [[western swing]] band.
⚫
In the early 2000s, Smokey was a primary player on [[Johnny Cash]]'s final ''[[American Recordings (album)|American Recordings]]'', which included his Grammy Award-winning version of Nine Inch Nails' "[[Hurt (Nine Inch Nails song)|Hurt]]".


⚫
In the early 2000s, Hormel was a primary player on [[Johnny Cash]]'s final albums, produced by [[Rick Rubin]], which included the Grammy Award-winning cover of Nine Inch Nails' "[[Hurt (Nine Inch Nails song)|Hurt]]".
⚫
From 2004 to 2010, he was a guitarist and composer for the Nickelodeon TV cartoon series ''[[The Backyardigans]]''.
⚫
Hormel's other film score work includes ''[[Be Kind Rewind]]'', ''The Cowboy and The Frenchman'', ''[[The Straight Story]]'', ''[[Star Maps (film)|Star Maps]]'', ''[[Chuck & Buck]]'', ''[[Trees Lounge]]'', ''[[Lonesome Jim]]'', ''[[Old Joy]]'', ''[[Wendy and Lucy]]'', ''[[Night Moves (2013 film)|Night Moves]]'', ''[[Certain Women (film)|Certain Women]]'', and ''[[I'm Not There]]''.


⚫
From 2004 to 2010, Hormel was a composer and guitarist for the Nickelodeon TV cartoon series ''[[The Backyardigans]]''.
In 2010, Smokey recorded and toured with [[Norah Jones]]. They appeared together in the feature film ''[[Ted (film)|Ted]]''.
⚫
His other film score work includes ''[[Be Kind Rewind]]'', ''The Cowboy and The Frenchman'', ''[[The Straight Story]]'', ''[[Star Maps (film)|Star Maps]]'', ''[[Chuck & Buck]]'', ''[[Trees Lounge]]'', ''[[Lonesome Jim]]'', ''[[Old Joy]]'', ''[[Wendy and Lucy]]'', ''[[Night Moves (2013 film)|Night Moves]]'', ''[[Certain Women (film)|Certain Women]]'' and ''[[I'm Not There]]''.


In 2012 he rejoined Beck for a tour and the recording of the 2014 Grammy Award-winning Album of the Year, ''[[Morning Phase]]''.
In 2010, Hormel recorded and toured with [[Norah Jones]]. They appeared together in the feature film ''[[Ted (film)|Ted]]''.


In 2012, he rejoined Beck for a tour and the recording of the 2014 Grammy Award-winning Album of the Year, ''[[Morning Phase]]''.
Today he plays in clubs around New York City with Smokey's Secret Family.


Smokey's Round-up plays dances every Wednesday night at Sunny's Bar in Brooklyn.
Today Hormel plays clubs around New York City with Smokey's Secret Family. Smokey's Round-up plays dances every Wednesday night at Sunny's Bar in Brooklyn.

⚫
He has also recorded or performed with [[Adele]], [[Lee Allen (musician)|Lee Allen]], [[R. L. Burnside]], [[Jim Carroll]], [[Rosanne Cash]], [[Cibo Matto]], [[Neil Diamond]], [[Bo Diddley]], [[John Doe (musician)|John Doe]], [[Dixie Chicks]], [[Erasmo Carlos]], [[Steve Earle]], [[Los Fabulosos Cadillacs]], [[Allen Ginsberg]], [[Josh Groban]], [[Marianne Faithfull]], [[Joe Houston]], [[Wanda Jackson]], [[Mick Jagger]], [[David Johansen]], [[K. D. Lang]], [[Al Kooper]], [[Bettye Lavette]], [[Sean Lennon]], [[Chris Martin]], [[The Manhattan Transfer]], [[Patsy Montana]], [[Jennifer Nettles]], [[Beth Orton]], [[Kid Rock]], [[Timothy B Schmit]], [[Joe Strummer]], [[Justin Timberlake]], [[Rufus Wainwright]], [[Yebba]] and [[Yo La Tengo]].


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
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*[http://www.smokeyhormel.com/index.html Official site]
*{{Discogs artist}}
*{{Discogs artist}}
*{{allmusic|class=artist|id=smokey-hormel-mn0000151384}}
*{{allmusic|class=artist|id=smokey-hormel-mn0000151384}}
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*{{Cite news| title = Guitarist to the Stars Smokey Hormel Gets Big Tones From Vintage Gibson Hollowbodies and Amps| publisher=[[Gibson Guitar Corporation|Gibson]] |accessdate = 2015-11-11| date=2009-08-17 | url = http://www.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/Features/en-us/guitarist-to-the-stars-817.aspx}}
*{{Cite news| title = Guitarist to the Stars Smokey Hormel Gets Big Tones From Vintage Gibson Hollowbodies and Amps| publisher=[[Gibson Guitar Corporation|Gibson]] |accessdate = 2015-11-11| date=2009-08-17 | url = http://www.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/Features/en-us/guitarist-to-the-stars-817.aspx}}


{{The Blasters}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Hormel, Smokey}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hormel, Smokey}}
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[[Category:American male guitarists]]
[[Category:American guitarists]]
[[Category:1959 births]]
[[Category:1959 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
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[[Category:American male guitarists]]
[[Category:Guitarists from Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Guitarists from Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Guitarists from New York City]]
[[Category:Guitarists from New York City]]
[[Category:20th-century American guitarists]]
[[Category:20th-century American guitarists]]
[[Category:20th-century male musicians]]
[[Category:20th-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:The Blasters members]]

Revision as of 18:41, 19 February 2024

Smokey Hormel
Birth nameGregory Hormel[1] or Smokey Hormel[2]
BornLos Angeles, California, U.S.
GenresAmericana-, Brazilian-, Caribbean-, and African-styled surf music
OccupationSession guitarist
WebsiteOfficial site

Smokey Hormel (born circa 1959)[3] is an American guitarist known for his blues-influenced Americana style and working as a session musician with a wide array of performers.

Early life

Hormel was born and raised in Los Angeles.[2] His given name has been reported as Smokey[2] or Gregory.[1] Hormel is a great-grandson of George A. Hormel, founder of Hormel Foods Corporation.[2] As a teenager he studied with Jimmy Wyble, guitarist for Texas Playboys and Benny Goodman.

Career

In the mid-1980s, Hormel played lead guitar with the Radio Ranch Straight Shooters and later joined the roots-rock band The Blasters, with whom he toured the US and Europe from 1988 to 1992. At the same time, he formed The Blue Shadows with Lester Butler, performing weekly in West Hollywood's King King club. Throughout the early 1990s, he toured and recorded with John Doe, the pair appearing in the movie Georgia.

In 1996, Hormel joined Beck for his Odelay world tour and played on the subsequent Beck albums Mutations, Midnight Vultures and Sea Change. Two years later, he played with Tom Waits on the Grammy award-winning Mule Variations and was featured on Waits' Get Behind The Mule tour in 1999.

In 2000, Hormel moved to New York City, where he and Miho Hatori formed Smokey & Miho. In 2003, Forro in the Dark was formed with Rob Curto and Mauro Refosco. The group recorded and performed with David Byrne, Seu Jorge, Bebel Gilberto and Steve Earle. In 2005, Hormel formed Smokey's Secret Family, which plays Brazilian-, Caribbean-, and African-styled surf music; and Smokey's Round-up, a western swing band.

In the early 2000s, Hormel was a primary player on Johnny Cash's final albums, produced by Rick Rubin, which included the Grammy Award-winning cover of Nine Inch Nails' "Hurt".

From 2004 to 2010, Hormel was a composer and guitarist for the Nickelodeon TV cartoon series The Backyardigans. His other film score work includes Be Kind Rewind, The Cowboy and The Frenchman, The Straight Story, Star Maps, Chuck & Buck, Trees Lounge, Lonesome Jim, Old Joy, Wendy and Lucy, Night Moves, Certain Women and I'm Not There.

In 2010, Hormel recorded and toured with Norah Jones. They appeared together in the feature film Ted.

In 2012, he rejoined Beck for a tour and the recording of the 2014 Grammy Award-winning Album of the Year, Morning Phase.

Today Hormel plays clubs around New York City with Smokey's Secret Family. Smokey's Round-up plays dances every Wednesday night at Sunny's Bar in Brooklyn.

He has also recorded or performed with Adele, Lee Allen, R. L. Burnside, Jim Carroll, Rosanne Cash, Cibo Matto, Neil Diamond, Bo Diddley, John Doe, Dixie Chicks, Erasmo Carlos, Steve Earle, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Allen Ginsberg, Josh Groban, Marianne Faithfull, Joe Houston, Wanda Jackson, Mick Jagger, David Johansen, K. D. Lang, Al Kooper, Bettye Lavette, Sean Lennon, Chris Martin, The Manhattan Transfer, Patsy Montana, Jennifer Nettles, Beth Orton, Kid Rock, Timothy B Schmit, Joe Strummer, Justin Timberlake, Rufus Wainwright, Yebba and Yo La Tengo.

References

  1. ^ a b "The Career of Smokey Hormel". Austin Daily Herald.
  2. ^ a b c d Alex Cohen (2017). How Smokey Hormel Became The Quintessential Session Musician. NPR.org, accessed 20 July 2021
  3. ^ Cohen (2017) quotes Hormel as saying he was "4 or 5 [years old]" when "I Want to Hold Your Hand" by The Beatles was "a big hit on the radio"; the song was released in America in December 1963.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Smokey_Hormel&oldid=1208971392"