Episode 183 - Jeff Gordon

Jeff Gordon has been entertaining music lovers throughout Central New York for over three decades. Beginning in the early 90’s, Jeff fronted the band, Free at Last, who were semi-finalists for the Yamaha National Songwriters Competition and Jeff received a nomination at the very first SAMMY Awards for Best Rock Vocalist.

Jeff then became lead singer for Joe Bonamassa and toured the East Coast opening for many blues legends including B.B. King and Buddy Guy.

Upon Jeff’s return to the Syracuse area, Jeff was offered unique opportunities to keep his hand in music including a foray into musical theater which included four highly successful runs as Joseph in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” for the Talent Company.

Jeff returned to performing live music in the early 2000’s and started what is now the biggest drawing classic rock band in Central New York, Hard Promises. The band is a staple on major festival stages and known for their tribute to the music of Tom Petty. Hard Promises is New York’s largest and longest running, annual Tom Petty Tribute show that draws over 1,800 attendees to the del Lago Resort every Fall.

In 2021, Hard Promises performed on the nationally syndicated show, “Tribute Wars USA”. Hard Promises has opened shows for Loverboy, Cheap Trick, Starship, and Brett Michaels. Jeff has been fortunate to perform as a member of the late Benny Mardones’ Hurricanes as well as Eddie Money’s band.

He recently released his first solo album, Local Boy with its debut video, “Comin’ Back for You” garnering over 10k views on YouTube. Jeff’s full length album was nominated for Best Rock Album at the 2021 Syracuse Area Music Awards.

He is an active supporter of Music for The Mission which provides funding to support food banks and other local charities aimed at helping our community’s homeless and hungry. Both Hard Promises and Jeff (as a solo artist) have donated time and resources to this mission.

Jeff plans to form a backing band for his solo endeavors and record more original music in 2023.