Originally from the Chicago area, Emerson Swinford is a Los Angeles-based guitarist, composer/songwriter and producer. He is currently a touring and studio guitarist for Rod Stewart. His guitar work can be heard on much of the 2015 album release by Stewart, called Another Country on which he also has bass, vocals, and co-writing credit. It has achieved platinum sales status in the UK. He also played guitar and co-wrote on the 2013 album Time, which also went to number 1 on the UK Albums Chart and has reached Double Platinum sales status there. Time went to number 7 on the US Billboard chart. Emerson was also the musical director and touring guitarist for Tony award-winning actress and singer Idina Menzel, famous for her roles in Disney's Frozen, Broadway's Wicked, Rent and the TV show "Glee."

Emerson composed the theme and under-score music for the hit comedy Hot in Cleveland, along with co-composer Ron Wasserman. Their work won them 2011, 2012 and 2014 ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards. Emerson also co-wrote the theme and under-score music on the TV Land network comedy series The Soul Man (TV series) and Retired at 35. Additionally he has had many TV and film song placements including songs on MTV/"The Hills", "Pimp My Ride", " The Ghost Whisperer", and "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno." Emerson is a co-writer of the hit single "Barenaked" for actress and singer Jennifer Love Hewitt.

As a session guitarist, Emerson has recorded with a diverse roster of artists such as Rod Stewart, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Delerium, Paul Oakenfold, Liz Phair, Jim McGorman, P.J. Olsson, Fisher (band), Kimberly Locke, Natalie Cole, Kenny G, Robbie Nevil, Dianne Warren and many others, as well as performing on the soundtracks for the movies Just Like Heaven, Planet of the Apes (2001) and "Power Rangers." His guitar work is also featured on several national TV commercial spots including "St. Ives" and "Coors Light."