Q: Can you tell us a bit about where you come from, and what made you want to start a career in music?
A: I live in Leeds, UK – aged 76. I am first and foremost a songwriter with an ability to demo most of my songs as I can sing in tune, but have used professionals to produce and perform songs that I believe are my best work. I have been writing since the early 1970s and have over 650 originals all demoed at http://www.reverbnation.com/thejohnnygray. I also have an excel sheet that lists and describes the songs with key words with each song having its hyperlink to Reverbnation.com – JOHNNY GRAY SONGS CATALOGUE 2020730 (1).xlsx
Q: And what other artists have you found yourself listening to lately?
A: I am a keen listener to the solid rock sound, having fronted a rock band (The Johnny Gray Band – http://www.thejohnnygrayband.com) specialising in Classic Rock (Neil Young, Joe Walsh, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Jethro Tull, B. B. King, Santana, Joe Bonamassa, Whitesnake, Europe, Free, Eric Clapton etc.). Sadly, Covid split the band up and I am not presently performing.
Since working with Robin Beck and her partner James Christian as performers of my songs, I have been listening to Jame’s great band, The House of Lords ( https://youtu.be/o4xkXBD2wC8?si=S-8D8INJN2pOf-8W) and, of course, Robin’s music (https://youtu.be/hkf3yDiaD3w?si=6cMwn3WSv9Swm8Jh).
Also working with Goran Edman, he has some great tracks – https://youtu.be/8mr5JM0aYMY?si=VkdYs4YABGFj-IvS
Q: Who were your first and strongest musical influences?
A: I was raised to classical music (Mozart, Beethoven, Vivaldi etc) till the age of 13, when I was sent to boarding school when The Beatles and Stones were taking over the charts. I was initially a Beatles man but have embraced The Stones and the rougher heavier sounds in recent years.
Q: You have just released your new single, ‘The Edge of Love’. Is there a story behind it?
A: As stated earlier, I am primarily a song writer, and “The Edge of Love” is unique in that (a) it is my first collaboration with Robin Beck and James Christian and (b) my first rock duet with crowd participation. The song is ideal for a band with male and female headliners or for a rock invitation duet at a concert like Tina Turner inviting Bryan Adams to perform “It’s Only Love”.
No story behind it other than an original concept.
Q: Can we expect a new EP or even an album from you in the near future?
A: I have 4 albums on spotify!
Three with Jimmy Dean Brooks from North Carolina featured playing lead guitar on all my original tracks with myself on vocals and one with Matheus Neder from Brazil with myself adding the top lines (written by myself) and vocals to his unique and powerful brand of rock. A great example is – https://youtu.be/fao_EiY0ipM?si=894rEnYJrODOGP39 – and I would highly recommend a listen to our album “ Driving all through the Night” (whose title track is nearly 10 minutes long) as the sound is truly original and unique.
Jimmy Dean Brooks played with
(1) MISSING YOU Album (with Jimmy Dean Brooks on guitar)) – https://open.spotify.com/artist/0UY2BALHqTKPPDBXaDSJ45?si=haP7eqVDRYGPdIJRk8twag
(2) LIKE A HURRICANE Album (with Jimmy Dean Brooks on guitar) – https://open.spotify.com/album/6FpyCq7MH0dLDl43EJWJ8R?si=qM3kcZ5cSFuadWBRPYaJRg
(3) STAND TALL Album (with Jimmy Dean Brooks on guitar) – https://open.spotify.com/album/6CNpHHNTC62plpviX7Tnpi?si=rDYmX3JmQyGMyAaWbfuPVw
(4) DRIVING ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT (with orchestration and guitar by Matheus Neder) – https://open.spotify.com/album/6CNpHHNTC62plpviX7Tnpi?si=rDYmX3JmQyGMyAaWbfuPVw
Q: What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
A: Generally all my songs encompass a story line or paint a picture with passion, usually love, lows and highs with powerful climaxes all embedded in powerful supportive rock sounds generally produced by heavy rhythm guitars and synths punctuated by soaring vocals and lead guitar riffs. I am also very fond of including harmony and harmonising and interspersed backing vocals.
Q: Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more?
A: To be honest, so far, I have no success despite some positive feedback and I would love more. One successful radio song would do me – or maybe two or three LOL. I have had a song taken by a TV company for a Michael J Fox TV Series when it was released worldwide (Family Ties – Song – Everybody Needs – https://www.reverbnation.com/thejohnnygray/song/2391950-everybody-needs-c-jg) but lost contact details and have never had a penny. But they took the song exactly as is, with my vocals. Late last year (2023), according to BMI (with whom my songs are registered) a Japanese TV company used my song “All Night Long” – https://www.reverbnation.com/starnowopportunityresults/song/10044892-august-2011-winner-all-night-long – 70 times for which I received $70”
Q: Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song?
A: Interesting one. Generally, my songs just start with a phrase which just enters my head and which feels catchy for me lyrically and nearly always comes with a tune to fit and which usually ends up as part of the chorus line dictates the direction of the lyrics. Sometimes, that phrase is the first line of the first verse again steering the direction of the lyrics and I have to come up with the chorus which normally naturally breaks out from the chord sequence used in the verse. “Everybody Needs” (above) is a good example of the latter with the verse coming first.
Q: What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
A: Loss of wife to breast cancer in 2004. Luckily I was able to remarry very happily to a wonderful wife who supports all my musical efforts and has been the muse for my love songs written since 2004 – of which there are many not least of all – Beautiful – https://www.reverbnation.com/thejohnnygray/song/6738441-beautiful-c-johnny-gray-colin-mclean
Q: On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
A: I had band in Plymouth in the early 1970s called KOs (pronounced “chaos” but everyone called us “the knock-outs”!) but played rhythm guitar and sang harmony vocals. Then I was part of a duo in the 80s again playing rhythm guitar and doing harmony vocals.
It wasn’t till I was 65 (10 years ago) that I auditioned for a lead rock singer post that I really pushed myself vocally and was very surprised to be accepted out of which grew The Johnny Gray Band mentioned earlier. So, to date, musically, I feel that my greatest achievement was the successful formation of that band.
