Jason Paulson - Guitar, Vocals
Matt Gray - Guitar, Vocals

Grayson
-by Jon James

"This ain't about being pretty." That's the first thing the guys in Grayson will tell you about why they do what they do. Grayson has always aimed to eliminate the line between band and fan, lending a real family feel to the shows; a camaraderie sensed on both sides.

Alright, so let's get real. This is, after all, what Grayson is all about - real American music for real American folks. Gristly guys and fiery girls with honest jobs and authentic lives. And if that's not glamorous enough, consider catchy-as-hell, heartfelt songs about love, lust, broken relationships, breaking relationships, good times, bad times and, well...just plain old boozin' it up. 

Since their inception, Grayson has self-released four EPs and two full-length CDs (accompanied always by rowdy, full-to-capacity release parties), toured throughout the Midwest to the tune of 160 shows on average per year, and shared the stage with dozens of national acts, including the Bodeans, Gin Blossoms and Tom Petty. In 2004, they were named "New Artist of the Year" by Billboard, which included their song, "Shine", on a nationally-distributed compilation. Featured frequently on regional TV and radio, 2008 also saw them winning title of the Cities '97 Basilica Block Party "Best Band in Minnesota".

"We started out just wanting to play anywhere, with just a few friends," says Paulson. "Off the bat, we never shied away from throwing cover songs in side-by-side with our originals. We were proud to choose unique but instantly recognizable songs, then just worked hard to put our own stylistic stamp on them." That lack of pretension quickly helped them to form and enjoy undeniable rapport with a wide range of audiences, and enthusiastic support for their original material followed naturally.

No doubt, audiences also pick up on the chemistry between  fellow singer-songwriters Paulson and Gray, who grew up together and have played and written music with one another from early on. Cutting their teeth in various gargage bands, it was the formation of Grayson that finally afforded them the secret recipe upon which bigger banquets could be built.

With a decade-long tenure and an always-demanding schedule, periodic lineup changes have proven inevitable. But, as Gray enthusiastically offers, "hey, endings lead to new beginnings." with a new line up Grayson sport new faces and crisp energy, fused with the core heritage Gray and Paulson helped shape.

Long-time fans haven't missed a step, and fresh ears are perking up. With their collective musical accomplishments, Grayson are sure to keep feet stomping and libations flowing for as long as a hard-earned night-on-the-town can endure it.