JGraves - Is A Singer/Songwriter/SOLO Artist:

JGraves plays - Acoustic/Electric Guitars/Harmonicas/Vocals

I was born 1983 in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, and spent my early years exploring many different interest, including Music, Hockey, Tennis, Soccer,Swimming, Band, Choir and Drama. In middle school, I asked for a left handed guitar for my birthday and took a few lessons. I spent countless hours working with different sounds and developing a style that I believe is truly unique. On my 16th birthday i received a guitar that would change my life forever. A custom one of a kind Lefty Taylor 414KCE. It has seen nearly every stage that ive played, been the surface for Melodies and memories, pleasures and pain, smoke filled bars, and its share of broken strings...yea...i guess were a team...

I have always been surrounded by music. Influenced by my Grandfather, I learned to add different elements to my music. From an early age the banjo & the harmonica were my favorite. I sat for hours with my Grandfather listening to him play guitar, banjo, the fiddle and the harmonica. My great grandmother was a concert pianist and my great, great uncle Jimmy Rogers was one of two (Oscar Lavant being the other one) chosen students taught by George Gershwin.

I wrote some of these songs while attending Culver Military Academy and the University of Kentucky using my experience as inspiration. All my songs are about personal things that i have experienced and I believe thats what helps define me as a singer/songwriter. I play acoustic/electric guitars, Harmonicas and Vocals. I Write all my music and lyrics.

I have developed a sound that is often referred to as urban folk, Indie rock and funk. As a singer/songwriter, I have performed over 400 solo shows in Coffee Houses, Bars and theater's across the country.

"His blissful guitar melodies, piercing harmonica riffs and heart felt lyrics give you a glimpse into the solo stripped and acoustic soul ofJay Graves (The Hard Rock Café)".

Though my music is often referred to as Modern Folk Rock, I was mostly influenced by Bob Dylan, Ben Harper, Dave Matthews, Jack Johnson, David Gilmore, Keller Williams, Mark Knopfler, Led Zeppelin, Neil Young, Tom Petty, Johnny Cash and Dispatch, just to name a few.

I Enjoys PLAYING SHOWS!!! new faces & places, great conversation, Rooibos tea, green apple soda, wisdom, energy, yoga, exercise, deep conversation, fashion, sunset/sunrise, a new CD, adventure, rock climbing, hiking, camping, Laughing, McKenzie, Kentucky, Baxter & Poges, honesty, strength, hockey, Bourbon, Newcastle, Blue Moon, traveling, talent, confidence, family & friends,Grey Goose, Records, Smiling, guitars, Culver, sushi, snowboarding, freedom & the right to prosper.

JWalkin is a collection of original songs and will be officially released in 2009. I hope you enjoy it.

Thanks for your support,

Jay

JGraves Gear: 
Guitars - Taylor CE314 (LH) (2000) 
Yamaha AXP5A (LH) (2001) 
Ovation Legend (LH) (1974) 
Fender American Strat w/ lace sensor pick ups (LH) (1995) 
Epiphone Les Paul Standard (LH) (1996) 
Ibanez SG Bass (LH) (1999) 
Simon & Patrick Luthier 12-string 
Amps - Fender Acoustisonic (2000) 
Fender Bandmaster (1965) 
Silvertone (1969) 
Yorkshire Bass Amp (1995) 
Harmonica - Lee Oskar& Horner (Marine Band & Blues Harps) 
Direct Box/pre-set EQ - 
Fishman Pro EQ Platinum Acoustic Preamp 
Pedals - 
Vox Wah 
Boss Bluesbreaker 
Line 6 Delay/loop station 
Ernie Ball Volume 
Fender Chromatic Tuner 
Mics - 
Audix OM5 
Samson Studio Condensor MIC 
Recording EQ equipment - 
Yamaha AW16G 16 Track Digital Recorder 
JGraves Plays EXP 13 gage strings and dunlop medium/heavy pics.

SOME VENUES JGRAVES HAS PLAYED:
THE RAINBOW (Hollywood, CA)
THE DERBY(Hollywood, CA)
THE CAT CLUB (Hollywood, CA)
FOX & HOUNDS (Los Angeles, CA)
THE DOUBLE DOOR (Chicago)
THE VIPER ROOM (Hollywood, CA) 
SAFARI SAMS (Hollywood, CA) 
THE STONE BAR (Hollywood, CA) 
THE MAGIC STICK ( Detroit, MI)
MAJESTIC THEATER (Detroit, MI)
ROYAL OAK MUSIC THEATER (Detroit, MI)
HARD ROCK CAFE (Detroit, MI)
THE BULLFROG LOUNGE (Redford, MI) 
THE NEW WAY BAR (Ferndale, MI) 
PUB 1281 (Mt. Clemens, MI)
EASTSIDE HOWARDS (St. Clair Shores, MI) 
THE ATLAS BAR (Hamtramck, MI) 
THE BELMONT (Hamtramck, MI) 
LENNYS COFFEE GALLERY (Eastpointe, MI) 
WOODWARD DREAM CRUISE (Ferndale / Royal Oak, MI) 
LE BOUCHON (Lexington, KY) 
CHARITY YACHT EVENTS AT SEA (Lake St. Clair, MI) 
LUNA CAFE (St. Clair Shores, MI)
SIMONS (Allen Park, MI) 
PAYCHECKS (Hamtramck, MI) 
SHELBY TOWNSHIP MUNICIPAL BAND SHELL (Shelby Twp. MI)
THE VILLAGE IDIOT (Detroit, MI)
THE WEAL (Highland MI)
MODERN EXCHANGE (Southgate, MI)
CADIEUX CAFE (Detroit, MI)
THE PERFECT PITCHER (Taylor, MI)
THE PARK BAR (Detroit, MI)
THE OLD MIAMI (Detroit, MI)
FARMHOUSE MUSIC FESTIVAL (Ann Arbor, MI)
ST. ANDREWS HALL (Detroit, MI)
THE SHELTER (Detroit, MI)
THE RED PARROT (Loraine, OH)
THE EMERALD THEATER (Mt. Clemens, MI)
THE HIFI CLUB (Lakewood, OH)
THE PENALTY BOX (Livonia, MI)
THE ALL STAR BAR & GRILLE (Westland, MI)
THE HAYLOFT (Mt. Clemens, MI)
STUDIO 601 (Detroit, MI)
EON (Detroit, MI) 
JACOBY'S (Detroit, MI) 
DETROIT HISTORICAL MUSEUM (Detroit, MI)
WISE FOOLS PUB (Chicago, IL)
THE ELBOW ROOM (Ypsi, MI)
AJ's CAFE (Ferndale, MI)
CLUB CHARLIES (Southgate, MI)
FISHBONES (St. Clair SHores MI)
THE RUSTY NAIL (Clinton Township, MI)
CLIFF BELLS (Detroit, MI)
THE OLE POINTE BAR (Grosse Pointe Park, MI)
MONTERARY MUSIC CAFE' (Allen Park, MI)
THE CROWFOOT (Pontiac, MI)
SILVIES (Chicago, IL)
TELLEYS (Grosse Pointe Woods, MI)
AREA 101 (Mendecino, CA)
BB KINGS UNIVERSAL CITY WALK (Universal City, CA)
THE MILL STREET GRILL (Pontiac, MI)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK (Chesterfield, MI)
THE DAWGHOUSE (Clinton Township, MI)
THE FACTORY (Rochester, MI)
CLUB BARTS (Ferndale, MI)
THE WHITE RHINO (Redford, MI)
THE 169 BAR (Ny, Ny)
THE NATIONAL UNDERGROUND (Ny, Ny)
THE ELBO ROOM (Chicago, IL)
TC'S SPEAKEASY (ypsi, MI)
ROBUSTO'S (Grosse Pointe Woods, MI)