Emerson Swinford

Who is 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. His guitar work can be heard on much of the 2013 album release by Stewart, called Time, which went to number 1 on the UK Albums Chart and has reached Double Platinum sales status there. Time also went to number 7 on the US Billboard chart. Along with writer/producer Kevin Savigar and Rod Stewart, Emerson co-wrote two songs on the album, "Finest Woman" and the title track "Time." His theme and under-score music composed for the hit comedy Hot in Cleveland won him a 2011 and 2012 ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards. 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 MTV/"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, Kimberly 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 Broadway's Wicked, Rent and the TV show "Glee."