Johnny Gray

Personal Background
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 an mp3 audio - https://1drv.ms/f/s!AmIAH_Wl8TSyg7xi6ymifWSIr9xQnw?e=t4z9xQ

Artists listening to lately
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

My first and strongest musical influences?
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.

Published Works
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.

With Jimmy Dean Brooks:

(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

With Matheus Neder
(4) DRIVING ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT (with orchestration and guitar by Matheus Neder) - https://open.spotify.com/album/6CNpHHNTC62plpviX7Tnpi?si=rDYmX3JmQyGMyAaWbfuPVw

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.

Music Used So Far
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. They took the song exactly as is, with my vocals.

Leopard Music are presently pitching for my song "When I Dream" - deal not complete at this time - https://www.reverbnation.com/thejohnnygray/song/13504623-when-i-dream-ft-kirsten-joy-c-gray
Japanese TV Company - 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”

MY AIM FOR JOINING TAXI
To promote and sell my best professionally produced songs and earn through syncing.

COOL REVIEW by Donna Rae in Country's Chatter (Erwin Tennessee) headed - "Attention Publishers - YOU are looking for Johnny Gray"
https://www.countryschatter.com/2022/09/attention-publishers-you-are-looking-for-johnny-gray