Anna Graceman
Anna Graceman | |
---|---|
Birth name | Anna Graceman |
Born | Juneau, Alaska, United States |
Origin | Southeast Alaska, United States |
Genres | Folk, rock, soul |
Occupation(s) | Musician, entertainer, singer-songwriter |
Instrument(s) | Vocals, Piano, Guitar |
Years active | 2009–present |
Labels | Another Girl Records (Self-published) |
Website | annagraceman |
Anna Graceman is a young American singer-songwriter and pianist whose self-penned songs and music have gained attention at home and abroad.[1][2] Her style of music incorporates elements of folk, soul and rock. As of 2014 she has written and performed over 60 of her own published songs;[3] releasing her debut album on September 25, 2012.[4][5] In 2009, at the age of 9 years old, Graceman made several appearances on American national television[6][7] including the The Ellen DeGeneres Show (October 7, 2009) and performed her song "Paradise".[8] Later in 2011, at the age of 11, she gained wider popularity with her performances in the sixth season of the America's Got Talent competition.[9] In 2013, she performed 43 shows at The Palazzo Theater in The Venetian Hotel and Resort for eight weeks. Her performances there brought her critical acclaim.[10] Graceman has a substantial Internet presence. Collectively, her YouTube views exceed 150 million views. Her America's Got Talent audition video alone has over 35 million views as of December 23, 2013.[11][better source needed] In 2014, Anna Graceman stated that she had moved to Nashville, Tennessee to pursue her songwriting and work with the musicians there.[12]
Early life
Anna Graceman was born in Juneau, Alaska, to a stay-at-home mother, who played classical music to her before she was born. At three months old, Anna Graceman's parents started displaying flashcards for her to read and gain word association. This sparked the love of writing music. By the time she was 18 months old, she had memorized the lyrics of many classical and modern tunes. At the age of two, Graceman was not afraid of singing in front of crowds.[13] When she was four, she could play the piano fluently. At the age of 6 years old she wrote her first song, "So I Cried".[14] Graceman states that her family was poor while growing up in Alaska. The mini-van that her mother drove didn't have a working radio or CD player in it, so her mother would sing to her while they were driving. Driving time meant singing time.[15][16]
Singer-songwriter
From the age of 6 to 14, Graceman had reportedly written and performed over sixty of her own songs and released an album in 2012.[17] She writes both the lyrics and the melodies for all of her songs,[18] and typically only sings and performs her own material. Nearly all of her known songs have been released by her on her YouTube[19] and Soundcloud channels. Her Soundcloud channel appears the most complete, with rare and early versions available.[20][21][22]
In April 2013, the International Songwriting Competition announced that Graceman had been announced as one of their finalists. The judges include such notable songwriters as Tom Waits, Jeff Beck, Bernie Taupin and Mark Foster[23]
Notable appearances and performances
October 7, 2009 (age 9) – Ellen: Graceman appeared on the The Ellen DeGeneres Show and performed an original song she wrote called "Paradise".[24] DeGeneres praised her performance.[25] Graceman said that her family had been putting videos up on YouTube since April 2008. She uploaded "Paradise" in August 2009. Someone at YouTube took notice of the video, and decided to feature her among a small group of child musicians. After watching Graceman's "Paradise" video, DeGeneres invited her to sing it on the show.[26] (Graceman said it was great fun and a great experience.) During that episode, DeGeneres invited her back to meet Taylor Swift on a subsequent show.[27]
April 20, 2010 (age 10) – 36th Alaska Folk Festival: Graceman performed at the annual festival along with other folk and bluegrass bands. A local reviewer stated, "There were several sets where the young and gifted stole the show, making me realize I was watching Juneau's version of "Who's Got Talent" – particularly when 10-year-old Anna Graceman sang all her original songs."[28]
Summer, 2011 (age 11) – America's Got Talent Season Six: At her audition, Graceman performed "If I Ain't Got You" by Alicia Keys while accompanying herself on the keyboard. She received a standing ovation from Howie Mandel, Piers Morgan, and Sharon Osborne, the show's three judges.[29] Her audition video went viral on the Internet and caught the attention of the mainstream press.[30][31][32] The video garnered over 28 million views on YouTube, the most of any America's Got Talent audition video.[33] In the Vegas round, Graceman performed "Rolling in the Deep" by Adele, again playing the keyboard. In the quarterfinals, she performed "What a Wonderful World" (Louis Armstrong). The judges' unanimous acclaim reflected the votes she gained, qualifying her for the semi-finals.[34][35] Her self-accompanied performance of "Home Sweet Home" (Mötley Crüe) earned her another standing ovation from the judges, and a spot in the Top 10.[36][37][38][39][40] As the competition was becoming tougher and the judges expected more, Graceman went with something different for that round; her song was "True Colors" (Cyndi Lauper), but for the first time on the show, she performed without the keyboard.[41][42][43] It didn't quite pay off, as she fell short of making the finals.
October 28–30, 2011 (age 11) – Caesars Palace Colosseum: Graceman participated in America's Got Talent Live along with other season six favorites, including Landon Swank, Team iLuminate, and winner Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr.[44] At the request of Caesars Palace, she returned to the Colosseum for the following New Year's Eve concert.[45]
October 11, 2012 (age 12) – The Great American Music Hall: Graceman opened for Grammy-nominated group The Lumineers as part of the INgrooves Fontana ten-year anniversary at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. Other notable acts included Caveman, Little Hurricane and The Crystal Method.[46]
February 25, 2013 (age 13) – Palazzo-Venetian Theater Residency: Graceman performed at the Palazzo Theatre in the Venetian for seven weeks (43 shows).[47][48] Famed reporter Robin Leach saw and wrote:
An unexpected teenage star was born Monday when ... Anna Graceman, just 13, stole the show! The triple-threat talent hails from the wilds of Alaska, but she sings well enough to rival Alicia Keys. She also plays piano as grand as Sir Elton John and writes songs as gifted as Adele and her idol, Taylor Swift. Incredibly, it’s her second starring spot on The Strip. As an 11-year-old on Season 6 of the top-rated NBC series, Anna was part of the touring version when it stopped for two nights at Caesars Palace in 2011. Her debut album was released last year. It was an incredible performance Monday night. It won her wild applause and a standing ovation. The pint-sized charmer is one giant talent and here now for seven weeks. I know she will one day return to The Strip headlining in her own right.[49][50]
August 28, 2014 (age 14) – Inaugural YouTube Music Night in Los Angeles: Graceman performed at the first YouTube Music Night in Los Angeles. The event was held at the studios in the YoutubeSpaceLA facilities.[51][52]
October 29, 2014 (age 14) – Inaugural YouTube Music Night in Nashville, Tennessee: Graceman performed at the first YouTube Music Night in Nashville, Tennessee. The event was held at the Pinewood Social Event Center in downtown Nashville.[53][54]
Another Girl records
Anna Graceman records for her own independent label, Another Girl Records. The label has a world-wide distribution deal through INgrooves Fontana.[55][56]
Graceman (Band)
Anna Graceman announced the creation of the band called Graceman. [57] The band's style of music incorporates elements of folk, soul and rock. Anna Graceman leads the trio. Their original melodies are accompanied by the soulful tone of Anna's voice and her acoustic piano accompaniment. Allie Graceman on rhythm guitar and Landon Graceman on drums. [58]
Eponymous album and other releases
September 25, 2012 (age 12) – Anna Graceman: Graceman's eponymous album was released and consisted of ten songs: "Showtime" (her first single, released two months earlier), "Crazy World", "You're a Mystery", "Change Is Coming", "Superstar", "Can We Figure It Out?", "The Only One", "That's Who I Am", "Whispers", and "Lexi's Lullaby".[59] The album was produced primarily by Will Hollis (music director for The Eagles and Shania Twain). The track "Superstar" was produced by Grammy-award-winning Darius Harrison aka Deezle.[60][61]
Notable musicians Anna Graceman has worked with
Will Hollis | Keys (Eagles)[62] | Keys and multi-instrumentalist on Anna Graceman's eponymous album (multiple songs) |
Ricky Lawson | Drums (Michael Jackson) | Drums on Anna Graceman's song "Superstar"[63] |
Chuck Sabo | Drums (Elton John) | Drums on Anna Graceman's songs "Already Fallin'", "Speak to Me", "Living in Denial", "High Places" |
Randy Hope Taylor | Bassist (Jeff Beck) | Bass on Anna Graceman's songs "Already Fallin'", "Speak to Me", "Living in Denial", "High Places" |
Peter Thorn | Guitarist (Melissa Etheridge) | Guitarist on Anna Graceman's eponymous album (multiple songs) |
Pete Maloney | Drums (Dishwalla) | Drums for Anna Graceman's live performances at the Colosseum, Caesar's Palace, Vegas[64] |
Lance Morrison | Bassist (Eagles) | Bassist on Anna Graceman's eponymous album (multiple songs)[65] |
Dave Barry | Guitarist (Janet Jackson) | Guitarist for Anna Graceman's live performances at the Colosseum, Caesar's Palace, Vegas[66] |
Andre Bowman | Bassist (Black Eyed Peas) | Bassist on Anna Graceman's song Superstar |
Michael Farrell | Keys (Morrissey) | played keys for Anna during numerous live and televised events. AGT, NBC and Hallmark Channel. |
Matt Laug | Drums (Alanis Morissette) | Drums on Anna Graceman's eponymous album (multiple songs) |
Justin Salter | Drums (Scary Kids Scaring Kids) | Multi-instrumentalist on "Have I Told You", "So Complicated", "Words" |
Brent Mason | Guitarist (George Strait) | Guitarist on Anna Graceman's songs "Already Fallin'", "Speak to Me", "Living in Denial", "High Places", "Miles Away", "IDK", "Poison", "Blink", "Never Meant to Me"[67] |
John Hobbs | Piano and Organ (Barbra Streisand) | Piano and Organ on "Miles Away", "IDK"[68] |
Eddie Bayers | Drums (Peter Frampton) | Drums on "Miles Away", "IDK", "Poison", "Blink", "Never Meant to Me"[69] |
Bobby Terry | Acoustic Guitarist (Trace Adkins) | Acoustic Guitar on "Miles Away", "IDK", "Poison", "Leap of Faith", "Blink", "Never Meant to Me"[70] |
Sam Bacco | Percussion (Lady Antebellum) | Percussion on "Miles Away", "IDK"[71] |
Glenn Worf | Bass (Dire Straits) | Bass on "Miles Away", "IDK"[72] |
Jim Horn | Saxophone (The Beatles) | Saxophone on "Miles Away", "IDK", "Leap of Faith"[73] |
Buddy Hyatt | Piano and Organ (Toto_(band)) | Piano and Organ on "Poison", "Leap of Faith", "Blink", "Never Meant to Me"[74] |
Mark Fain | Bass (John Fogerty) | Bass on "Poison", "Leap of Faith", "Blink", "Never Meant to Me"[75] |
Disney
In 2012, Disney approached Graceman and requested the right to non-exclusively license her early original YouTube videos. They can be found in the video section of Disney's website.[76]
YouTube
Graceman first started uploading her original music to YouTube on April 30, 2008.[77] Her total number of unique views on YouTube surpassed 100 million as of May 1, 2014.[citation needed] As of February 27, 2015, she has 119,846 subscribers and 35,319,836 views on her primary YouTube channel.[78]
Producer
Since the beginning of 2014, Graceman has produced nearly all of her released music. These include "Speak to Me", "Living in Denial", "High Places", "Already Fallin", "IDK", "Miles Away", "Poison", "Never Meant to Me", "Leap of Faith", and "Blink".[79] Some of the selected musicians she has used in the production of her songs include Chuck Sabo,[80] Brent Mason, Randy Hope-Taylor, John Hobbs, Jim Horn, Glenn Worf, Bobby Terry and Eddie Bayers[81][82][83]
Musical influences
Graceman credits Carole King, Alicia Keys, Adele, Taylor Swift, Motown, and The Beatles as her main inspirations.[84][85]
Studio albums
Title | Album details |
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Anna Graceman |
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All currently released music by Anna Graceman
Title | Notes | Year |
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"So I Cried" | 2006 | |
"Heart and Hands" | 2006 | |
"Dressed in Blue" | 2006 | |
"You Knew Me" | 2006 | |
"Hush Little Baby" | 2008 | |
"It's Love" | 2008 | |
"Give Me Your Heart" | 2008 | |
"Silly Dreamer" | 2009 | |
"River Road" | 2009 | |
"Longer and Longer" | 2009 | |
"Paradise" | 2009 | |
"Take Me Where I Want To Go" | 2009 | |
"Believe" | 2009 | |
"Freakin Out (Don't Bring Me Down)" | 2009 | |
"Me and My Piano" | 2009 | |
"Army of One" | 2009 | |
"Gift for Always" | 2009 | |
"Gift for Christmas" | 2009 | |
"Have I Told You" | 2010 | |
"Dancing on Cobblestones" | 2010 | |
"Can We Figure It Out" | 2010 | |
"Winter Rain" | 2010 | |
"New Pair of Shoes" | 2010 | |
"Unexpected" | 2010 | |
"Superstar" | 2010 | |
"Broken Hearted" | 2010 | |
"So Complicated (Crystal Chandelier)" | 2010 | |
"Crazy World" | 2010 | |
"Lexi's Lullaby" | 2011 | |
"See You in My Memories" | 2011 | |
"Everybody Makes Mistakes" | 2011 | |
"Showtime" | Track 1 on debut album | 2012 |
"Crazy World" | Track 2 on debut album | 2012 |
"You're A Mystery" | Track 3 on debut album | 2012 |
"Change Is Coming" | Track 4 on debut album | 2012 |
"Superstar" | Track 5 on debut album | 2012 |
"Can We Figure It Out" | Track 6 on debut album | 2012 |
"The Only One" | Track 7 on debut album | 2012 |
"That's Who I Am" | Track 8 on debut album | 2012 |
"Whispers" | Track 9 on debut album | 2012 |
"Lexi's Lullaby" | Track 10 on debut album | 2012 |
"Time Machine" | Single | 2013 |
"Words" | Single | 2013 |
"Words – (Acoustic Version)" | Single | 2013 |
"Next Generation" | Single | 2014 |
"Next Generation – (Acoustic Version)" | Single | 2014 |
"Treble Heart" | Single | 2014 |
"Treble Heart – (Acoustic Version)" | Single | 2014 |
"Already Fallin" | Single | 2014 |
"Already Fallin' – (Acoustic Version)" | Single | 2014 |
"High Places" | Single | 2014 |
"High Places' – (Acoustic Version)" | Single | 2014 |
"Living in Denial" | Single | 2014 |
"Living in Denial – (Acoustic Version)" | Single | 2014 |
"Speak To Me" | Single | 2014 |
"Speak To Me – (Acoustic Version)" | Single | 2014 |
"IDK" | Single | 2015 |
"IDK – (Acoustic Version)" | Single | 2015 |
"Miles Away" | Single | 2015 |
"Poison" | Single | 2015 |
"Poison - (extended version)" | Single | 2015 |
"Never Meant to Me -(Graceman Band Version)" | Single | 2015 |
"Never Meant to Me" | Single | 2015 |
"Blink" | Single | 2015 |
"Ghost Town" | Single | 2016 |
"Ghost Town (Extended version)" | Single | 2016 |
"Dust" | Single | 2016 |
"Dust - (acoustic version)" | Single | 2016 |
"Dust - (Graceman band version)" | Single | 2016 |
"Heartbreaking Truth" | Single | 2016 |
"Heartbreaking Truth - (acoustic version)" | Single | 2016 |
"Blink - (acoustic version)" | Single | 2016 |
References
- ^ CBS Television highlight's Anna Graceman's Lexi's Lullaby Retrieved on 2013-05-27
- ^ Anna Graceman sings Lexi's Lullaby on Wimp.com Retrieved on 2013-05-27
- ^ Anna Graceman sings several of her songs for Seventeen Magazine Retrieved on 2013-04-29
- ^ Anna Graceman has written and performed 55 original tracks Retrieved on 2013-05-27
- ^ Anna Graceman Release Date of her debut Album Retrieved on 2013-05-27
- ^ Anna appears on The Ellen Show. Ellen Invites Anna to second show to meet Taylor Swift. Retrieved on 2014-11-05
- ^ Anna appears on The Ellen Show. Ellen Invites Anna to second show to meet Taylor Swift. Retrieved on 2014-11-05
- ^ Anna Graceman appears on the Ellen Show Retrieved on 2013-05-26
- ^ Anna Graceman steals the spotlight on America's Got Talent Retrieved on 2013-05-27
- ^ Anna Graceman steals the show at the Palazzo Retrieved on 2013-04-29
- ^ Anna Graceman Sings "If I Aint Got You" by Alicia Keys Retrieved on 2013-09-23 Archived 2016-01-15 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Anna Graceman states that she moved to Nashville, Tennessee Retrieved on 2014-11-07
- ^ Anna Graceman talks about her early life. Retrieved on 2013-05-27.
- ^ Anna Graceman's song So I Cried. Retrieved on 2013-05-27.
- ^ Anna Graceman talks about her early life. Retrieved on 2013-05-27. Anna Graceman states that her soulful style of singing comes from her mother who loved listening to Motown records as did her grandmother
- ^ Anna Graceman talks about Motown influence. Retrieved on 2013-05-27.
- ^ Number of Anna Graceman Songs Retrieved on 2013-04-29
- ^ Anna Graceman writes all of her own melodies and lyrics Retrieved on 2013-04-29
- ^ Anna Graceman songs on YouTube Retrieved on 2013-04-29
- ^ Anna Graceman songs on Soundcloud Retrieved on 2013-04-29
- ^ Anna Graceman's songs begin to get noticed around the web Retrieved on 2013-04-29
- ^ Anna Graceman the little singer songwriter Retrieved on 2013-04-29
- ^ Anna Graceman announced as top finalist for the 2012 International Songwriting Competition Retrieved on 2013-04-29
- ^ Anna Graceman appears on the Ellen Show Retrieved on 2013-05-26
- ^ Anna Graceman entertains on Ellen Age 9 Retrieved on 2013-04-29
- ^ Anna Graceman tells the story of Ellen discovering her Retrieved on 2013-09-23
- ^ Anna Graceman explains her visit to Ellen Retrieved on 2013-05-26
- ^ Anna Graceman performs at the 36th Annual Alaska Folk Festival Retrieved on 2013-04-29
- ^ Anna Graceman the favorite to win this seasons AGT Retrieved on 2013-04-29
- ^ local girl shows her talent on National TV Retrieved on 2013-04-29
- ^ Anna Graceman AGT Audition mainstream Retrieved on 2013-04-29
- ^ Anna Graceman audition wows the media Retrieved on 2013-04-29
- ^ Anna Graceman Sings "If I Aint Got You" by Alicia Keys Retrieved on 2013-04-29
- ^ Anna Graceman performs 'What A Wonderful World' in her own style Retrieved on 2013-04-29
- ^ Avril Lavigne discusses Anna Graceman Retrieved on 2013-05-26
- ^ Anna Graceman gets noticed by Mötley Crüe Retrieved on 2013-04-29
- ^ Anna Graceman receives accolades for her rendition of Mötley Crüe's Home Sweet Home Retrieved on 2013-04-29
- ^ Anna Graceman does it again. Wild Applause. Retrieved on 2013-04-29
- ^ Anna Graceman talks to NBC about her time on AGT. Retrieved on 2013-05-27.
- ^ Piers Morgan said Home Sweet Home was her best performance yet. Retrieved on 2013-05-26
- ^ Anna Graceman talks to NBC about her time on AGT. Retrieved on 2013-05-27.
- ^ Anna Graceman performs True Colors at AGT Finals Retrieved on 2013-04-29
- ^ Anna Graceman NBC Pictures of her performances and time on AGT Retrieved on 2013-05-26
- ^ Anna Graceman performs at Caesars Palace Colosseum Retrieved on 2013-04-29
- ^ Anna Graceman performs at Caesars Palace Colosseum Retrieved on 2013-04-29
- ^ Anna Graceman opens for Grammy nominated The Lumineers Retrieved on 2013-05-26
- ^ Anna Graceman performs at the Palazzo Theater for seven weeks Retrieved on 2013-04-29
- ^ Anna Graceman Palazzo Theatre Residency Retrieved on 2013-04-29
- ^ Anna Graceman wows at the Palazzo Retrieved on 2013-04-29
- ^ Anna Graceman is spectacular at the Palazzo Retrieved on 2013-04-29
- ^ Anna Graceman performs at the first ever YouTube Music Night in Los Angeles Retrieved on 2014-11-04
- ^ Anna Graceman appears on National News Los Angeles ABC News after performing at YouTube Space in LA Retrieved on 2014-11-04
- ^ Anna Graceman performs in Nashville for the very first ever YouTube Nashville Music Night. Retrieved on 2014-11-04
- ^ Anna Graceman performs in Nashville. YouTube To Sponsor Educational Workshops For Nashville Music Community. Retrieved on 2014-11-04
- ^ Anna Graceman Ingrooves Fontana distribution deal reference Retrieved on 2014-11-07
- ^ Anna Graceman Ingrooves Fontana distribution deal 2nd reference Retrieved on 2014-11-07
- ^ Main Graceman Band Website Retrieved on 2015-05-29
- ^ Anna Graceman announces that she has started a Band with her Brother Landon and her Sister Allie Retrieved on 2015-05-29
- ^ Anna Graceman Anna Graceman's eponymous album (September 25, 2012). Retrieved on 2012-12-30.
- ^ Notable Producers on Anna Graceman's Record. Retrieved on 2013-05-27.
- ^ Anna Graceman self releases album Retrieved on 2013-05-26
- ^ Will Hollis working with Anna Graceman on new tunes Retrieved on 2013-09-23
- ^ Anna mentions working with Ricky Lawson Retrieved on 2013-09-24
- ^ Anna mentions working with Pete Maloney Retrieved on 2013-09-24
- ^ Anna mentions working with Lance Morrison Retrieved on 2013-09-24
- ^ Anna mentions working with Dave Barry Retrieved on 2013-09-24
- ^ Anna Graceman lists top session musicians she is currently Producing with. Retrieved on 2014-11-05
- ^ Anna Graceman lists top session musicians she is currently Producing with. Retrieved on 2014-11-05
- ^ Anna Graceman lists top session musicians she is currently Producing with. Retrieved on 2014-11-05
- ^ Anna Graceman lists top session musicians she is currently Producing with. Retrieved on 2014-11-05
- ^ Anna Graceman lists top session musicians she is currently Producing with. Retrieved on 2014-11-05
- ^ Anna Graceman lists top session musicians she is currently Producing with. Retrieved on 2014-11-05
- ^ Anna Graceman mentions working with Jim Horn in Nashville. Retrieved on 2014-11-05
- ^ Anna Graceman mentions working with Jim Horn in Nashville. Retrieved on 2014-11-05
- ^ Anna Graceman mentions working with Mark Fain in Nashville. Retrieved on 2015-05-29
- ^ Anna Graceman videos on Disney Retrieved on 2013-05-26
- ^ Anna Graceman's first song uploaded to YouTube Retrieved on 2013-05-27
- ^ Anna Graceman's subscriber and view count on YouTube
- ^ Anna Graceman states that she is producing much of her recent music and lists musicians she is working with. Retrieved on 2014-11-07
- ^ Anna Graceman working with Chuck Sabo. Retrieved on 2014-11-05
- ^ Anna Graceman lists top session musicians she is currently Producing with. Retrieved on 2014-11-05
- ^ Anna Graceman Produces her song "Speak to Me". Retrieved on 2014-11-05.
- ^ Anna Graceman states that she is producing much of her recent music and lists musicians she is working with. Retrieved on 2014-11-07
- ^ Anna Graceman interviewed at Scholastic Books. Celebrityinterviews.tumblr.com (February 21, 2010). Retrieved on 2012-12-30.
- ^ Anna Graceman interview. Celebrityinterviews.tumblr.com (February 21, 2010). Retrieved on 2012-12-30.
External links
- 1999 births
- American female singers
- America's Got Talent contestants
- Living people
- American female guitarists
- 21st-century American singers
- American child singers
- American pianists
- American multi-instrumentalists
- 21st-century pianists
- Participants in American reality television series
- People from Juneau, Alaska
- Musicians from Alaska