Bridging
Generations and Genres
Josh
Gray
“I don't believe those
who say music can't effect change in the world.” - Josh Gray
Nashville-based
Folk Singer-Songwriter Josh Gray possesses an inherent ability to tap
into various styles to create a sound truly his own. He has been
impacted by such legendary artists as Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Leonard
Cohen, Townes Van Zandt, and even Blind Willie McTell, to name a few.
By utilizing his
creative confluence of bluegrass, folk, and country, Josh’s music
takes the listener on an adventure. These songwriting traits are
obvious in his debut EP Josh Gray, released in 2015. The
album, with its earthy sound and deep-seated folk roots, showcases
Josh’s gift of bringing poignant lyrics to life. Josh’s goal on
the album is to convey stories of love, mortality, and social
justice. Josh explains his inclusive approach to music,
“I've always seen
folk music as a means of bringing people together around common life
experiences.”
If Josh Gray were
packing a suitcase for a lifelong journey through genres, he’d need
only a pen, paper, and his favorite Martin D28 guitar. Josh’s
favorite guitar is not simply his go-to instrument, but a tool used
to convey his adept storytelling. Creating characters, soundscapes,
and storylines has been part of Josh’s talent since childhood. Josh
elaborates,
“At an early age
I had an affinity for writing. Long before I picked up a guitar, I
was writing lyrics and poetry.”
As if he were a
time traveler, Josh jumps back and forth through the decades drawing
inspiration from a vast array of musical influences. Josh has studied
musical legends spanning the last one hundred years of American
music. With his diverse blend of folk, bluegrass, and country, Josh
Gray’s music bridges both generations and genres.
It was by age sixteen that he had his first guitar in hand and began
to teach himself to play. Josh adds,
“I made the
conscious decision not to learn other musicians’ songs, so I
wouldn’t subconsciously pick up their style.”
Over the years,
Josh has avoided boundaries in his songwriting. He permits his art
and illumination to flow unbridled down their path. His mantra is
simply,
“There are no
rules.”
Josh Gray steps
away from the beaten path, on his timeless trek through the folk
tradition. The tracks he leaves behind are cues, urging his listeners
to join him on the road less traveled. Listen as you walk and take
joy in the subtle wonderment that surrounds you. With verve and
vision.
Josh Gray’s music can be found on;
Josh informed Live
Laugh Love Nashville that he was taking a little break from shows to
focus on writing songs for this next album. His next show is not till
the end of April and the next one in Nashville is mid-May.
To keep up with
Josh and see when he is coming to a venue close to you check out the
Shows tab on his
Official Web Site. Plus
he posts his shows as Events on his Facebook
Page. You can also follow Josh on Bandsintown.
Below are the shows Josh has coming up.
- Friday April 21, 2017 - Mt. Airy, MD - Red Shedman Farm Brewery
- Thursday May 18, 2017 - Nashville, TN - Bootleggers Inn
- Thursday June 15, 2017 - Nashville, TN - Bobby's Idle Hour
- Thursday June 22, 2017 - Nashville, TN - Bootleggers Inn
- Thursday July 27, 2017 - Nashville, TN - Bootleggers Inn
Josh Grays Website and Social Media
Links
Here are what others are saying about
Josh and his music.
“He’s got a
boatload of talent and an even bigger amount of taste. Saying he’s
ready now is only the beginning.” — The Frederick News-Post
“His fusion of
folk and country music and his baritone voice call to mind Nashville
great Johnny Cash. His ability to tell a story reminds us of Bob
Dylan” — Montgomery Magazine
“His voice fits
very perfectly for his storytelling style of singing and I have to
say, I really dig what he is laying out there” — Red Line Roots
Written 3-26-2017 by Joseph
Clay for Live Laugh Love Nashville - Music Monday Feature.
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