“Do what you love and surround yourself with people who believe in that and care about you.” ~@GraceLeerMusic
“At the end of the day . . . I could only control what I was doing.” ~@GraceLeerMusic
“There are certain things that happen in your life that are just waiting for you, and it’s waiting for you to be ready. And it’s waiting for it to be the right time.” ~@GraceLeerMusic
Guest’s Bio:
“She literally came out here and made everyone else look like they were on a talent show.” ~Katy Perry
This reaction from Katy Perry on Grace Leer’s performance of “Natural Woman” during American Idol’s Top 40 Showcase Season 18 quickly made headlines, as it led to a head to head voting competition against another country contestant. The winner of this competition would advance that country artist to the Top 20 of American Idol.
Grace won fans over and not only sailed into the Top 20 but then onto Top 10 with live performances from her own backyard in California. Due to the COVID-19 “stay at home” order, Grace took on the challenge of performing to millions through an iPhone. Grace proved her talent, whether live or uploaded by phone, could entertain and wholly captivate her audience. This was not the first time Grace had to rise to the occasion as competition has always been part of her life. Grace earned a scholarship to play Division 1 soccer at the University of California- Berkeley where she not only was voted Captain of the team her senior year but led the Bears to numerous victories with her skills and strong work ethic. After graduating from Berkeley, Grace headed to Nashville, Tennessee to pursue her dream of becoming a country music singer. Not long after her move, she formed The Grace Leer Band and became not only the lead singer, but booking agent, manager, songwriter, and public relations/social media manager as well. Grace collaborated with songwriter, Kyle Clouse, to create a 90’s throw-back country sound and successfully released three singles. Their music was influenced and inspired by older country music, especially 90’s female powerhouses such as Shania Twain, the Dixie Chicks, LeAnn Rimes, and Martina McBride. And it is this style of country music Grace is determined to bring back into the spotlight with her strong and colorful vocals. As the iconic Gladys Knight praised Grace with having “a richness to her voice,” she also adds to that with an undeniable stage presence. Whether on stage or through a phone, her performances are captivating and her audience is mesmerized and glued to her presence. Whatever the venue, in her backyard performing for 10 million American Idol viewers, in a bar or in a professional sports stadium singing the National Anthem, Grace brings authenticity and genuine emotion to the songs she sings. Grace truly is a role model and inspiration to others, which can be seen by her massive “Team Grace” following on social media. She possesses a positive outlook and determination to do whatever it takes to fulfill her musical dreams. And, as Luke Bryan complimented her after a tremendous performance, saying “she checks all the boxes..” There is no doubt that Grace is well on her way to creating memorable country music and ultimately selling out stadiums and arenas around the world.
Why He Sent Luke Bryan a Half-Empty Bottle of BBQ Sauce
Quotations:
“It’s important to be present.” – Nate Deaton
“Some of the greatest songs in the country were written my Alan Jackson.” – Nate Deaton
“Radio was the original social media.” – Nate Deaton
“In the long run, the best song wins.” – Nate Deaton
Guest’s Bio:
I have been living in San Jose since I was 12 in 1973 when it was just a small suburb of San Francisco in those days known mostly for fruit tree orchards and great climate. I graduated High School here and San Jose State during which my love for radio was born. I worked in the promotions department at Rock Legend KSJO from 1984-1986 and then started booking headline entertainment and grounds attractions for the Santa Clara County Fair from 1987-1992. It was there I met and married my wife of 33 years Judy.
I started as the promotion director at KRTY in 1994, rose to marketing director in 1998 and was named General Manager in 2006. My role really has not changed much over the years, as a locally owned and operated station all of our staff are involved in every aspect of the station. Picking songs, coordinating promos and making our clients money.
The growth of Silicon Valley in my years here is echoed in the philosophy of the radio station. To stay alive you have to innovate. We are in the innovation capitol of the world and our residents build tomorrow. If we are not the most forward thinking radio station in terms of new music, new artists and new types of ways to introduce it, someone in our own market will invent something that does just that. Music discovery and artist development is what we do. We play new music and bring those artists to the market to make our fans their fans.
We book and produce over 50 shows a year at the Rodeo Club and through our one of a kind Songwriters Series at Clos La Chance Winery. It is the next step in music innovation with live performance.
In my spare time I play a lot of golf and umpire little league games. Judy and I have one son, Drew, a graduate of University of Arizona who is a Territory Rep for Milwaukee Tools.
Drummer for Bunko, a founding member of Offspring, and real-life surgeon
Key Takeaways From Episode:
The episode that should have been called “Squirrel”
How humans are meat interfaces
Life outside of college
The illusion of control
Quotations:
“We have the illusion of control.” ~James Lilja
“All it takes is the right share.” ~James Lilja
“Soak up as much as your brain can.” ~James Lilja
Guest’s Bio:
Musical “career:” Originally the first drummer for the Offspring. Then quit and got metaphorically lost in the woods forming and dissolving a bunch of bands during the decades between. Then finally got the alchemy right and formed BUNKO….The only band truly capable of transubstantiating social/self mockery into music. Oh, then there’s that detour into medical school/cancer surgery stuff along the way. Boring.
