Today we’d like to introduce you to Tommy Grasley
Hi Tommy, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m a singer, songwriter, recording artist, and producer. My band is called TOMMYGUNN.
I grew up in a steel town in Canada where my musical journey started as a young boy drawing on the influence of a successful musically inspired family. My father, Sonny Del Rio (CROWBAR) played saxophone with Kelly Jay, and King Biscuit Boy (aka Richard Newell). My dad went on to receive a Queens Jubilee award for excellence. On my mother’s side (the Stewarts), my cousin, Rod Stewart, rounded out the talent.
I’ve released three albums so far. – my first album being in 2013, UNLEASH THE HOUNDS which charted #7 in Australia and had success in the U.K. My next album, I BELIEVE IN LOVE released in 2020 reflected the world around me at the time. It tells the story of my life moving from hate to love. I had the opportunity to collaborate with some of the best artists in Rock n’ Roll – Eddie Kramer (Beatles, Led Zeppelin , Jimi Hendrix …), Dale Harrison (Headstones), Greg Godovitz (Goddo); Kim DesChamps (Blue Rodeo), and more. Amazing talent.
CALIFORNIA WAY, my newest album was released in 2023 and inspired by my love of California and the coast. The album includes legendary musicians; Gregg Bissonette (David Lee Roth, Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band, ELO, Bee Gees), Laurence Juber (Paul McCartney & Wings), Richard T Bear Gerstein (Kiss, Pat Benatar, Mick Fleetwood, Cher, The Doobie Brothers …). Daniel Goldberg (drummer, writer, producer Meatballs, Stripes, Old School, Private Parts, Heavy Metal, The Hangover Part 1,2,3 … ), Fernando Perdomo (Echo In The Canyon, Appice/Perdomo), Ryan Shore (Howard Shore, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Hudson, Matchbox Twenty), Stephen Hogg (Fred Eaglesmith, Ray Materick, Tom Wilson, …), Dalton Cyr (singer, songwriter) sings back-up vocals along with Mikal Blue. And other incredible musicians. The album was produced by Mikal Blue at his studio Revolver Recordings Studio. Mikal is a Grammy award winning producer, engineer, singer, songwriter (artist include: One Republic, Five For Fighting, Colbie Caillat). Special thanks go to Steve Hoffman (MCA Records)
It’s been mostly a fun ride so far. It’s not easy. It never is. And yet, I know it’s something that I love. Music feeds my soul.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
So many struggles. One thing about struggles is that it definitely lets you know if you’re passionate enough to continue whatever it is that you’re striving for. I’ve needed to focus on other work to earn a decent living – and yet there’s not a day that goes by that I haven’t been creating and promoting my music. You have to take steps every single day if you want to see any traction. The only way to see things move is through action. There’s no other way. I don’t get discouraged per se, I can motivate myself. In fact when I have disappointments in my life, it just makes me want to push smarter – not harder, smarter. Re-think, re-adjust, and re-consider.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Ha, I think I gave it all away at the beginning of this interview. And yet, there’s always more, right!
I’m most proud of the collaborative work I’m able to do. There’s nothing more satisfying than to work with passionate artists. I love writing, collaborating, playing music with others. That’s where I get my best ideas. It motivates me. As well, it creates unique sounds that I would otherwise not have achieved.
I’ve created a new classic rock genre. Or at least I like to think so. I’m continuing where classic rock paused. And by paused I mean, not a lot of artists are writing and staying within the classic rock genre. We hear amazing songs from the past, but what about now? Artist are moving into Country rock, or hiphop, or an electronic sound. Not me. Ok, sure I think I have one Country-ish song that I wrote with my brother-in-law, Stephen Hogg, also a great musician and songwriter (who very sadly has since passed away) – I’m so grateful to have been able to collaborate with him. I wrote the song for my sister, called, yep ” HEY SISTER” – as I knew that she only really liked Country – so if I wanted her to hear it … a Country song it was.
Apart from that I feel I have a unique voice. It’s deep, it’s soulful, and I sing from my heart. Most importantly I stick to what I know and want to play – welcome to new classic rock 😉
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Everyone and anyone I have ever played with deserves a credit. All those I listed at the beginning of this interview, along with so many others that I hope know who they are. I’m positive they do. I owe everything to my wife, Amy. She’s the most inspiring, encouraging, and supportive human I have ever met. From that, you know, I now surround myself with positive, or maybe the better word is, optimistic people. Growing up I was around some negative energy and it really wears you down. It did me. It can also break you down. All the naysayers that didn’t and don’t want you to succeed. All the insecurities from others who wanted me to stay small. No thanks. I will never subject myself to that again. Actually no one should. Make sure you connect and find inspiring people to be around, and work around. Sounds cliché, but who cares, life is way (way) too short.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sociatap.com/TOMMYGUNN/
- Instagram: @TOMMYGUNNLOVE
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TGrocks3?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Twitter: https://x.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2FTommyGunnHound
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP5_LgTjDgc1zKgX3EgkPTQ
- Other: https://www.gogoods.io/artists/tommygunn
