ESSENCE & GOLD COUNTRY

Essence Goldman - yes, that’s her real name - is a sixth-generation San Franciscan, an acclaimed Americana singer-songwriter, the daughter of two flower children, she was raised in the Haight-Ashbury by her single father. Essence & Gold Country draw from deep roots in Appalachian, Americana, and classic Country traditions, with songwriting influenced by legends like John Prine, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, and Lucinda Williams. Essence’s voice has been compared to Emmylou Harris and Dolly herself. A veteran performer, her songs have appeared in film and TV, she has released multiple albums, toured nationally, and shared stages with Sheryl Crow, The Old Crow Medicine Show, and Tom Petty. Her voice, and her story, are her own.

Her latest (7th) release 'Father’s Daughter' (Blue Élan Records) finds Essence Goldman mining her life’s most vulnerable moments and emerging with songs that speak across generations. The result is a collection of songs that radiate both grit and grace. Recorded with her Gold Country band, ‘Father’s Daughter’ is an intimate, gutsy, and roots-rich collection of songs steeped in Americana, Appalachian, and Country, about loss, resilience, humor; a celebration of hard-won freedom and the road back to one's true self.

Essence gained national attention as the voice of Bernie & the Believers, a viral NPR Tiny Desk Concert project born from her collaboration with late songwriter Bernie Dalton, now being developed into a full length feature film based on Essence and Bernie's life stories and musical collaboration, with Essence co-producing in partnership with Paramount Pictures and John Legend’s 'Get Lifted' Film Co.

Essence is also the founder and executive director of Believe Music Heals, a non- profit organization that brings people peace and hope during times of distress and hardship, or at the end of their lives, by using music as a vehicle for self expression, creativity, comfort, connection and transformation. Believe Music Heals has active programs at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, By The Bay Health /Hospice serving chronically and terminally ill individuals, and at Ligaya Day Program for Adults with Disabilities, and much more. Believe Music Heals is dedicated to bringing healing through music to those who need it most.  (www.BelieveMusicHeals.org)

In addition to being a singer-songwriter, recording and touring artist, and non profit founder, Essence is also a dedicated and proud mother to a wonderful son and daughter.

Essence and Gold Country are happy to perform seated venues, nightclubs, listening rooms and on any stage that can fit up to 5 musicians. We are comfortable performing as a duo, trio, or full 5 piece band.