Hanna resident Garrett Gregory hitting country charts
By Jordan Parker
He's been rocking country stations and stages all across Canada, but Garrett Gregory won't forget his home in Hanna, Alta.
The "Leavin' You" crooner has graced the stage for the Calgary Stampede, and he hit the Hardgrass Bronc Match in Pollockville on July 28 and 29 and Hanna's Hector King-Hunter Park on July 30 for a Music In The Park showcase.
But despite his early fame, Gregory still can't believe the journey he's currently on.
Click for larger images
"This is all just awesome. I had to take a step back the other day and look at how far things have come. My band switched from rock to country ten years ago, and it's amazing to see the transition," he said.
"If you look at it in small steps, you don't realize. You have to look at the big picture. The trajectory has been really cool."
Gregory had never given much thought to music until he saw his brother perform.
"He was the first one to really have an amazing rock band in Hanna, I could see. I was 15, and I got excited about doing music on my own. I had never even tried to sing," he said.
"I started singing in the basement, and I loved it. I started my own band, and it gave me a jolt. It was just so inspiring."
With a hefty edge to his voice, he grew up influenced by rock music, and it shows. With a hefty rasp to his voice, he evokes the likes of Daughtry or Dallas Smith, who also transitioned from being the lead singer of the Canadian rock band Default to country music.
"We did mainstream rock first, and people would show up and support. But friends kept telling me to play country. So we added Dwight Yoakam and Garth Brooks to our set. Way more people showed up," he said.
"We started doing country more and more and just realized it was booking us more shows. It really was a snowball effect."
Affectionately dubbed "Hanna's second-best country band" by rock superstars Nickelback, Gregory finds the bit hilarious.
"We said that initially as a joke. We opened for Nickelback four years ago when we played in Hanna. We were taking a jab at ourselves," he said. "So for a rock band like Nickelback to joke about being a better country band than we are, it's just really funny."
While Gregory is rocking stages, he also keeps the full-time gig he loves at Western Financial Group, one that offers him flexibility.
"I just love my job. I wouldn't trade it for the world. It gives me freedom to do music and this at the same time," he said. "It works well with my schedule. It's very portable, and allows me to shift days as needed."
Gregory has his full debut – released August 1, 2023 – to think about now, and he's proud of what he's put together.
"There will be access to all six songs, and the reception to my work has been so good. The people from Hanna have just been so supportive," he said.
"I feel like I just have such a steady backing from people, and I just feel so much support. People love what I'm doing."
One huge thing Gregory is excited about is the Big Valley Jamboree in Camrose, Alta, on August 3 and 4, 2023.
"I can't believe I'll be there. I'm opening for Parker McCollum, and stars like Morgan Wallen will be on that stage. It's just incredible," he said.