THE NASHVILLE CONNECTION:
Simon featured in The Elvis Christmas Show in Odense and Randers, Denmark in 2006, along with the American well-known legendary artists; bass player Bob Moore and piano player David Briggs, who have both worked with Elvis. David invited Simon to record in his studio in Nashville.
David has produced for or played with almost everybody: Hank Williams, Joe Cocker, Neil Young, Steve Winwood, Roy Orbison, James Brown, George Harrison, Chet Atkins, Johnny Cash, Joan Baez and Eric Clapton to name a few.
Mid august 2007 Ole Sveigaard, the singer Anita Lykkegaard, who has been the leadsinger in the band Colorblind, and Simon went to record a new album in Nashville with 11 new songs, softrock and lyrical rockballads. Featured are David Briggs on piano and organ and Steve Turner on drums (Dolly Parton, Glen Campbell and many more). The album will be out April 6. 2009.
(Buy the album here)
BIOGRAPHY:
Simon started playing at the age of 7. His dad, who is a professional piano man playing New Orleans jazz, taught him the first blues chords. Had his own band from age 10 to 18 – The Wild Horses. He recorded the first rock album in 1977. In fact it was the first rock album ever released by minors in Denmark.
Then he concentrated on playing the guitar and he was jamming with a lot of the established rock musicians in Denmark.
He played with the pop-rock band Sidewalk in the beginning of the 80’s and they got a contract with the world famous Abba manager Stickan Andersson on Polar Records in Sweden. Sidewalk was produced by Kasper Winding and Billy Cross. Among the jobs Sidewalk had was as a backing-band for Dr. John.
In the late 80’s and early 90’s he was working as a session musician. In the 90’s Simon participated, as a guitarist, in theatre- and musical productions, while he, along with that, toured with a blues band.
SIMON HOIRUP BAND:
He started working on his own material in 1999 and together with bass player Ole Sveigaard he established Simon Hoirup Band.
Edi Primate played the keyboard and Nicolai Funch the drums. Edi got busy working as a music director on Aarhus Theatre and was replaced by Martin Kaufmann. Martin is an eminent Hammond player and was just what the band needed.
In November 2001 the band recorded there first album. Rune Funch and James Loveless did the vocals. The debut album â€Strongly Related†was released in may 2002 and was very well reviewed in the press.
No. 2 “Open Up†was released in may 2005. Shaka Loveless and Trille Palsgaard did the vocals on this album. The album was a rock album created by the band together.
Open Up got airplay on the main radio station in Denmark (Danmarks Radio). The band has been on tour after the releases.
L.A. INSTRUMENTALS: (solo album)
In June 2007 Simon went to Los Angeles to record his first instrumental album featuring world famous drummer Ricky Lawson, Kim S. Hansen piano and organ and Roberto Vally on bass. (See www.myspace.com/simonhoirup)
