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  2. SAMMIES 2020 Winner
  3. Amanda Gray

Amanda Gray

  • Genres
  • Americana
  • Bluegrass
  • Country
  • Awards and Nominations
    • SAMMIES 2020 Nominee★ Singer/Songwriter ★
    • SAMMIES 2019 Winner★ Country/Americana/Alt-Country ★
    • SAMMIES 2019 Nominee★ Country/Americana/Alt-Country ★
    • SAMMIES 2018 Winner★ Country/Americana/Alt-Country ★
  • Musicians
    • Amanda Gray — acoustic guitar, guitar, vocals
    • David Walsh — bass, guitar
    • John Pattison — drums
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Q & A

Favorite colors?

02.06.20

Yellow like sunflowers.

How do you describe your music to people?

02.06.20

A work in progress.

How do you feel about musical award competitions?

02.06.20

If the goal is to highlight the local music scene, I’m fine with them.

If you could be any character from history, who would it be?

02.06.20

The Little Mermaid. That counts, right?

Tell us about your worst gig.

02.06.20

I played a show with a kidney infection so bad, I had to be hospitalized the next day. That was pretty awful. I also played a show where the drummer quit mid-show. Luckily there was a kid in the audience who asked if he could play and totally blew the other drummer outta the park. It was rad.

What are your musical goals?

02.06.20

I’d love to get a publishing deal.

What drives you to keep playing even though the music industry can be so harsh?

02.06.20

Eh. I’m not super concerned about what people think of me. Do you like my music? Great. Do you hate it? Cool. I spent many years trying to be the right fit for every person and every venue. I’ve finally realized that I won’t ever fit every mold. I’m not Jello.

What message do you hope to give with your music?

02.06.20

I just try to be really honest. I’m never going to sugar coat things – If I’m writing about heartbreak, it’s gonna be sad. If I’m writing about my personal life, what you’re hearing is truth. 100% my songs are like a diary that everyone gets to read.

What's a big musical inspiration that would most surprise your fans?

02.06.20

I’m a fan of all music, I play a lot of Americana and country but I grew up on Smashing Pumpkins and Presidents of the United States of America.

What’s your favorite song to perform live right now?

02.06.20

Jason Isbell “Cover Me Up.”

Who first inspired you to play music?

02.06.20

My preschool teacher John Carter. He recently passed away. He was a huge inspiration and reason that I got into music.

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