Spotlight On Adam Gregory

Technically, Adam Gregory isn't Adam Gregory's first album. But seeing as how he cut The Way I'm Made when he was just 13 years old, for distribution only in his native Canada, it can be asserted that his self-titled Big Machine/NSA/Midas/ Records debut album brings a more seasoned 22-year-old artist to audiences beyond the borders of his homeland. That first album earned the teenager a series of distinctions, including a Prairie Music Award for Outstanding Country Music Recording, the Canadian Radio Music Award for Best New Country Artist, Canadian Country Music Association and Juno Award nominations and performance opportunities at festivals and venues. He would record three albums for the Canadian market, each one tracking his development as an expressive singer and rapidly evolving writer. Gregory now bows in the United States with an album that's finely tuned to what communicates on Country radio. He'd written one track on his first Canadian album; that number rises to nine co-writes on Adam Gregory, including the first single "Crazy Days," which he penned with Lee Brice, Kyle Jacobs and Joe Leathers. But the urgent romanticism and surging rhythm of that song reflect only one side of his personality; on the dramatic "Tired" and the intimate "What It Takes to Be Your Man," he proves he stands strong as a ballad interpreter, while a self-deprecating humor as well as a knack for skipping between long notes and tongue-tripping lyrics emerge on the chorus of "Could I Just Be Me." It adds up to this: From looks to voice and all points between, Gregory has what he needs to make an impact in any territory he targets. IN HIS OWN WORDS: MUSICAL HERO "Vince Gill." SONG YOU WISH YOU'D WRITTEN "'Home,' by Michael Bublé." WHAT YOU SING IN THE SHOWER "Anything and everything." LUCKY CHARM "My cross necklace." FAVORITE FOOD WHILE ON TOUR "Any kind of pasta." BOOK ON YOUR NIGHTSTAND "The Bible." SECRET ABOUT YOU THAT NO ONE WOULD GUESS "I don't smoke or drink." MODE OF TRANSPORATION YOU PREFER "Tour bus." WHEN THEY LOOK BACK ON YOUR LIFE IN 50 YEARS, WHAT YOU HOPE PEOPLE SAY ABOUT YOU "I hope people will say that I followed my dreams and remained true to myself." IF YOU WEREN'T A MUSICAL ARTIST, WHAT WOULD YOU BE "Probably a soccer player or a music producer." On the Web: www.adamgregory.com © 2008 CMA Close Up® News Service / Country Music Association®, Inc.