NASHVILLE |
DATE: FEBRUARY 9, 2012
FROM: TODD BRODGINSKI/MITCH SCHNEIDER/ANGELA VILLANUEVA/BARI LIEBERMAN, MSO PR
ANDY GRAMMER
LATEST SINGLE “FINE BY ME”
CRUISES INTO THE TOP 20 AT ADULT POP RADIO
FOLLOWING HISTORIC RUN INTO THE TOP 5 WITH GOLD-SELLING SINGLE
“KEEP YOUR HEAD UP”
EXCLUSIVE FIRST LOOK CLIP OF MUSIC VIDEO FOR “FINE BY ME”
AND FULL SONG LIVE PERFORMANCE
TO AIR THIS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10 ON
VH1’s “BIG MORNING BUZZ LIVE” (10AM ET/PT)
GRAMMER’s FIRST HEADLINING TOUR HAS SOLD OUT MORE THAN HALF OF THE
SHOWS WITH SOME FORCED TO MOVE INTO LARGER VENUES TO ACCOMMODATE
GROWING TICKET DEMANDS
FORMER STREET PERFORMER STAYS TRUE TO HIS ROOTS BY TAKING TO TWITTER
WITH TOP TEN TIPS FOR BUSKERS
Acclaimed singer/songwriter/musician ANDY GRAMMER’s latest single “Fine By Me” has cruised into the Top 20 (currently #19) at Adult Pop Radio, following the historic run of GRAMMER’s hit debut single “Keep Your Head Up” which climbed to Top 5. GRAMMER was the first artist to do so in nearly 10 years since Jason Mraz with “The Remedy” in 2003. With its intimate lyrics, sparkling pop melody and funky undertow, “Fine By Me” is on target to surpass the success of his debut single. Currently on his first headlining tour, GRAMMER has sold out more than half of the shows with some being forced to move into larger venues midway through the tour to accommodate the growing ticket demands. He will also be releasing a live EP, ANDY GRAMMER–LIVE FROM LA, in the first quarter (exact release date TBA).
Amid the strong start to the year, S-Curve Records has also announced that they will offer an exclusive first look clip of the music video for new single “Fine By Me” this Friday, February 10 on VH1’s “Big Morning Buzz Live” at 10am ET/PT. GRAMMER will also perform the full song (featured on his self-titled debut album on S-Curve Records) live in the show’s NYC studio. Filmed in Los Angeles with director Mark Staubach (Travie McCoy, Lupe Fiasco, Simple Plan), the video features model Dominique Piek as GRAMMER’s love interest and playfully looks at the ups-and-downs of relationships.
Known for his vibrant pop/rock/soul mix and free-flowing vocal delivery, GRAMMER has gone from busking on the streets of Santa Monica, CA, to performing on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Live with Regis & Kelly and sharing the stage with Taylor Swift and Colbie Caillat. “Keep Your Head Up” continues to sell thousands of copies each week and is approaching platinum status.
With his continued rise up the charts, GRAMMER still remembers where he came from and has remained grateful and humble. He has taken to his Twitter account (@andygrammer) to help out aspiring musicians. He launched his top ten busker tips on Friday, January 27 with the news: “Sidewalk stars! I started as a busker and I’m a huge fan of the humble hussle…If you or someone you know is trying to get their music out there, I want to help!” For the next ten consecutive days, GRAMMER posted one new piece of advice. The final tip was posted yesterday (Wednesday, February 8). ***See the tips below.
In a profile piece to advance his February 6 show in Cleveland, OH, GRAMMER spoke with John Soeder of the Cleveland Plain Dealer about his early busking days:
“On a typical day, I would wake up about 8 a.m., pile all my stuff into my mom’s minivan–my guitar, my amp, CDs to sell, a table and a rug–drive it down to the street and unload it all, explains GRAMMER. “I’d wait until about 12, then play for two hours. You could only play in two-hour intervals, so then I would move it all somewhere else. I’d usually play until 10 at night. It was a serious hustle. But I became a much better songwriter out there. It showed me which songs people liked and which ones they didn’t like.”
GRAMMER is thankful for his street performing journey as it’s mentally prepared him for anything. “You gain a level of fearlessness, performing when no one’s there to see you,” GRAMMER said. “You either create something there on the street, or nothing happens. It’s brutal. But if you go through that for two or three years, it really toughens you up. I take a lot of pride in my live show now, because of my street performing.”
Here are GRAMMER’s Top 10 Tips for Street Performers:
#1. Work out a unique cover song. Hard to grab attention w/ originals.If you can get them to stop, chances of tips double. #streetperformingtips
#2. Once u have a crowd of 10+, make them cheer “On 3 lets cheer to double the crowd!” People are attracted to cheering 🙂 #streetperformingtips
#3. Location. Location. Corners w/ alot of traffic where u arent in competition w/ others. Lack of comp for singers is key. #streetperformingtips
#4. Make a tip jar that encourages people to purchase CDs on their own while your playing. “Make change I trust you :)” #streetperformingtips
#5. Put love into ur street stage.Small rug,stool,tv dinner table w/ table cloth. Little touches make it seem more pro. #streetperformingtips
#6. Make friends w/those louder then u. Fightin for attention means everyone loses. Break dancers,etc. Offer to split time. #streetperformingtips
#7. Shorter sets.15 minutes and stop to sell CDs/Clear crowd. 2 hour sets aren’t needed. Play your best 4-5 songs. #streetperformingtips
#8. Dont beg. U will make more in the end creating demand based on quality. Begging sucks the magic out of the experience. #streetperformingtips
#9. Get there early. The best spots go fast. U might have to hold a spot for up to 4 hrs. Its usually 1st come 1st serve. #streetperformingtips
#10. Its not them its u 🙂 Listen to what crowds tell u. If CDs arent selling switch up ur show. Its a great focus group! #streetperformingtips
Catch ANDY GRAMMER out on the road now:
Thu 2/9 Philadelphia, PA World Café Live
Fri 2/10 New York, NY Highline Ballroom (SOLD OUT)
Sat 2/11 Boston, MA Brighton Music Hall (SOLD OUT)
Sun 2/12 Boston, MA Brighton Music Hall (SOLD OUT)
Tue 2/14 Nashville, TN 3rd & Lindsley
Wed 2/15 Mobile, AL Soul Kitchen
Fri 2/17 Houston, TX House of Blues
Sat 2/18 Dallas, TX House of Blues @ Cambridge Room
Sun 2/19 Austin, TX Stubbs Jr Bar-B-Q
Wed 2/22 Fort Lauderdale, FL Culture Room
Thu 2/23 Orlando, FL Beacham Theatre
Fri 2/24 Clearwater, FL Capitol Theatre
Sat 2/25 Atlanta, GA The Loft
Fri 3/2 Los Angeles, CA House of Blues Sunset
Sat 3/3 South Bend, IN Legends @ Univ of Notre Dame
Sat 3/31 Buckeye, AZ Verrado Founder’s Day Concert
Sat 4/21 Decorah, IA Luther College
www.andygrammer.com
http://www.facebook.com/andygrammer
https://twitter.com/andygrammer
http://www.myspace.com/andygrammer
For more information, please contact:
MSO: 818-380-0400
Mitch Schneider mschneider@msopr.com
Todd Brodginski toddb@msopr.com
Angela Villanueva avillanueva@msopr.com
Bari Lieberman (Tour) blieberman@msopr.com
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