A new beginning is in store for Tommy Hale in 2003. After recording An Acceptable Level of Decadence with the band Swank Deluxe at the end of the century and touring England, France and the United States, Tommy Hale retreated from the life of a performer. Hale has since produced albums and singles by Nate Fowler¹s Elixir, Milton Mapes, Horde of Three and Jack Ingram. Hale brings the signature sound he created with these bands to his new album Far From Grace.

"Far From Grace is a collection of songs where the characters in the songs are having trouble finding their way," says Hale. "Whether it's schizophrenia, anger at a world that has passed them by or unrequited love, they are a sorry lot." Album highlights include 'Where Were You Yesterday' penned with venerable Texas songwriter and performer Jack Ingram; 'Told Me To', a tale of a mal-adjusted man's love for a woman at the urging of the people who live with-in his walls; and 'Uncle Jim.' "I think everybody has an Uncle Jim," says Hale. "Mine was a distant great uncle who used to call me once or twice a year blown out of his mind at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. I guess the people at the bar quit listening and he figured an 8 year old could lend an ear." The album closes with 'Savior', a song from 80's misunderstood band Dogs D'Amour. The song is a plea for forgiveness for past transgressions and a promise to make up for it in any way possible. It is a fitting end to an album of loss, blame and hope.

A group of powerhouse musicians played on Far From Grace. Nate Fowler, Kinley Wolfe and Kevin Gorman are the core musicians on the CD. Bob Suffolk added Hammond organ, Brandon Lusk and Jim Lehnert took control of the trumpet playing duties and Dallas chanteuse Hannah Sweets, Dereak Messer, and Tommy Hale Four band member Chris Purdy pitched in backing vocals. Jens Pinkernell, Robert Kearns and Pete Coatney played on "Told Me To" and John "Razz" Callahan from Dallas favorites SG3 lent his Spanish guitar playing abilities to "Havana By Midnight". The CD was mixed by famed studio icon Ben Jackson.

"Far From Grace is meant to be bridge between the past and the future. We put a couple of songs from the past on it because we felt they weren't properly recorded before, but also the CD points to the direction we¹re going," says Hale. "The next one is half written already and we¹re going to take more chances and be a little less traditional and rootsy. I can¹t wait to get started."

Far From Grace is a remarkable album. The best, however, may be yet to come.

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