Jeffrey Gaines

This Philadelphia-based singer-songwriter and guitarist takes his lyrical cues from English songwriters such as Elvis Costello, Ray Davies and Peter Gabriel. His songs fuse personal, introspective lyrics with shimmering pop/rock melodies He built a strong enough local following to get himself a major label deal in the early '90s, and the push was on to make him a star. Despite the fact that Gaines possesses a stunningly powerful, honeyed rasp of a voice, a knack for giant-sized pop hooks, and all the necessary charisma for stardom, the hits haven't come yet. He remains a cult figure with a loyal following, straddling the worlds of folk and Pop.