Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenny Grace.
Hi Jenny, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started out singing as a child in the church choir. My parents are very musical people. They were always playing such a wide variety of music in the house, everything from Bach, James Taylor, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, all the way the to rock bands (like heart). So we really had eclectic musical selection growing up. My brother and I are very musical. He plays multiple instruments and I do as well. We were always very interested in writing music.
I started writing music after my service to the country. I had a guitar that I started working with when I was 20. Then, when I was at university, I started writing music in the music rooms (on piano or playing my guitar). And soon after that I began writing songs. In the beginning, my original songs were kind of folk style.
Eventually, I was found by a mentor who made me into a country singer, kinda like the story of Emmylou Harris when she was doing folk music in Greenwich, Connecticut. I was doing folk music as well, and somebody found me and made me into a country singer the way Graham Parsons made Emmy into a country singer so it’s kind of an interesting story and I never knew about the Emmylou Harris story till after it actually happened to me my own story.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has never been a smooth road with music. I think it’s become much smoother because I started a little bit after college. So was in the real world working full-time as a Cybersecurity Engineer, living on my own, and providing for myself.
I didn’t really have much help (financially) from my family so I learned how to survive on my own. That was a valuable lesson in building character. I’ve never really had anything handed to me.
I was first discovered by a music label when I was much younger (around age 13), but we ended up not going with that label because I was too young and wanted experience more of life before signing with any label. Then, early on in my career, I didn’t really know what I was doing when I first came to Nashville, and ended up signing a deal (that was not very good) with an Indie label. I definitely learned my lesson from that experience.
That’s why you just have to find somebody that aligns with you, as far as management or labels, You have to make sure you’re really aligned with yourself (and in my case by the grace of God). I’ve had some great tour managers come up to me since moving to Nashville, which has helped shape my vision for future business partnerships. I am now a free agent and I’m looking for representation that aligns not only with my music, but with my story.
I’ve had management come up to me since taking the risk of moving to Nashville to pursue my music career full-time. So what they say is true about this town, when you move here everything starts to happen.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My songs are very diverse, they aren’t “typical country” songs. I have a lot of R&B influence in my songs. It’s just natural for me. I listened to a lot of hip-hop growing up in the East Coast (specifically growing up near NYC).
This love of hip hop and r&b never went away. My lyric writing is heavily influenced by both genres.
I still listen to a lot of rap and r&b to this day. Some of my favorites are Eminem, Royce da 5’9, Ces Cru, Tech9, Hopsin, Lil Wayne, and Drake. I am constantly inspired by them. In fact, my co-writer is a former rapper, so I really think that helps with the lyrical, genius. Especially, for when we are able to come up with the spicier lyrics.
A New York City radio host said (after they heard my new album during we previewed it earlier this year) — “Jenny Grace is ‘gangsta country'”. A title I am honored to have been bestowed upon my music.
Needless to say, I love blending different genres in my music.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
I would say to people starting out that they to find their niche. You have to know what sets you a part and what makes you different, In my case, I have a diverse musical aptitude and a powerful vocal range.
I studied music theory for a bit (i.e., the Brett Manning technique, Vocal Cord Maintenance practices). I have a different understanding/approach for writing music. My music theory background really helps when writing songs or playing instruments. I’m also not just another singer; I’m songwriter, trained vocalist, guitarist, and pianist. Plus, I listen to/enjoy so many different genres of music (which I incorporate into writing my country songs).
I also think my vocal range sets me a part from most singers. According to David Malachowski (former band leader and touring guitarist with Shania Twain), I have a “huge, soaring, emotive voice that will stop you in your tracks”. I can sing rock music, country music, and metal. I have a diverse vocal range as those genres are both challenging. And this was the reason I was able to tour Europe with a iconic rock artist this year. Not every singer can do all of these genres at the same time.
My last piece of advice for anyone starting out is that you need to have passion for what you’re actually doing. You need to enjoy what you’re doing, whether it’s songwriting, singing, playing an instrument, or touring. You have to have passion. So if you’re just starting out, make sure your doing this because your passionate about what you are doing. And then, the rest will take care of itself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jennygracemusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennygraceofficial/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenny.grace.109023
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrS80i98Lqa-74vASK6qruw
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/jennygrace45743
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/57jQESPYIU9A3T4tg2vKBl?si=N9NJOz_FQ3iDx2kLXYB-GA
