Anna Graceman

Anna Graceman is an American singer, songwriter and recording artist whose self-penned songs and music have garnered national recognition.[1][2] She has been featured on The Ellen DeGeneres Show,[3] America's Got Talent,[4] and CBS News,[5]

Anna Graceman
Anna Graceman performing at the Pilgrimage Festival in September 2016
Background information
BornJuneau, Alaska, U.S.
OriginSoutheast Alaska, U.S.
GenresFolk, rock, soul
Occupation(s)Musician, entertainer, singer-songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • piano
  • guitar
  • bass guitar
Years active2009–present
LabelsAnother Girl Records
Websiteannagraceman.com

On June 1, 2020, Graceman appeared on NBC's show Songland starring Ryan Tedder, Shane McAnally, and Ester Dean.[6] The episode featured recording artist Bebe Rexha, who combined Graceman's song with that of fellow contestant Greg Scott and chose the song as the episode's winner. The song will be recorded by Rexha and will be used by NBC to promote the Tokyo Olympics.[7]

On May 29, 2020, Graceman released her latest studio album, The Way The Night Behaves.[8]

Early life

Anna Graceman was born in Juneau, Alaska, to a stay-at-home mother, who played classical music to her before she was born. At three months old, Graceman's parents started displaying flashcards for her to read and gain word association. This sparked the love of writing music. By the time she was 18 months old, she had memorized the lyrics of many classical and modern tunes. At the age of two, Graceman was not afraid of singing in front of crowds.[9]

When she was four, she could play the piano fluently. At the age of 6 years old she wrote her first song, "So I Cried".[10] Graceman states that her family was poor while growing up in Alaska. The mini-van that her mother drove didn't have a working radio or CD player in it, so her mother would sing to her while they were driving. Driving time meant singing time.[11][12] Later in 2011, at the age of 11, she gained wider popularity with her performances in the sixth season of the America's Got Talent competition.[13] In 2013, she performed 43 shows at The Palazzo Theater in The Venetian Hotel and Resort for eight weeks. Her performances there brought her critical acclaim.[14] Graceman has a substantial online presence. Collectively, her YouTube views exceed 150 million views. Her America's Got Talent audition video alone has over 35 million views as of December 23, 2013.[15] In 2012, Disney approached Graceman and requested the right to non-exclusively license her early original YouTube videos. They can be found in the video section of Disney's website.[16] In April 2013, the International Songwriting Competition announced that Graceman had been announced as one of their finalists. The judges include such notable songwriters as Tom Waits, Jeff Beck, Bernie Taupin and Mark Foster[17] In 2014, Anna Graceman stated that she had moved to Nashville, Tennessee to pursue her songwriting and work with the musicians there.[18]

In September 2016, Relix Magazine said, "This is hardly a run-of-the-mill adolescence, Graceman has stayed grounded through it all, remembering where she came from and how it all started." [19][20]

Singer songwriter

From ages 6 to 16, Graceman had reportedly written, released and performed 70 of her songs, many of which were self-released as singles and album compilations.[21][22] She writes both the lyrics and the melodies for all of her songs,[23] and typically only sings and performs her own material. Nearly all of her known songs have been released by her on her YouTube[24] and Soundcloud channels.[25][26][27]

Notable appearances and performances

October 7, 2009 – Ellen: Graceman appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and performed an original song she wrote called "Paradise".[28] DeGeneres praised her performance.[29] Graceman said that her family had been putting videos up on YouTube since April 2008. She uploaded "Paradise" in August 2009. Someone at YouTube took notice of the video, and decided to feature her among a small group of child musicians. After watching Graceman's "Paradise" video, DeGeneres invited her to sing it on the show.[30] (Graceman said it was great fun and a great experience.) During that episode, DeGeneres invited her back to meet Taylor Swift on a subsequent show.[31]

April 20, 2010 – 36th Alaska Folk Festival: Graceman performed at the annual festival along with other folk and bluegrass bands. A local reviewer stated, "There were several sets where the young and gifted stole the show, making me realize I was watching Juneau's version of "Who's Got Talent" – particularly when 10-year-old Anna Graceman sang all her original songs."[32]

Summer, 2011 – America's Got Talent Season Six: At her audition, Graceman performed "If I Ain't Got You" by Alicia Keys while accompanying herself on the keyboard. She received a standing ovation from Howie Mandel, Piers Morgan, and Sharon Osbourne, the show's three judges.[33] Her audition video went viral and caught the attention of the mainstream press.[34][35][36] The video garnered over 28 million views on YouTube, the most of any America's Got Talent audition video.[37] In the Vegas round, Graceman performed "Rolling in the Deep" by Adele, again playing the keyboard. In the quarterfinals, she performed "What a Wonderful World" (Louis Armstrong). The judges' unanimous acclaim reflected the votes she gained, qualifying her for the semi-finals.[38][39] Her self-accompanied performance of "Home Sweet Home" (Mötley Crüe) earned her another standing ovation from the judges, and a spot in the Top 10.[40][41][42][43][44] As the competition was becoming tougher and the judges expected more, Graceman went with something different for that round; her song was "True Colors" (Cyndi Lauper), but for the first time on the show, she performed without the keyboard.[45][46][47] She fell short of making the finals.

October 28–30, 2011 – Caesars Palace Colosseum: Graceman participated in America's Got Talent Live along with other season six favorites, including Landon Swank, Team iLuminate, and winner Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr.[48] At the request of Caesars Palace, she returned to the Colosseum for the following New Year's Eve concert.[49]

February 25, 2013 – Palazzo-Venetian Theater Residency: Graceman performed at the Palazzo Theatre in the Venetian for seven weeks (43 shows).[50][51] Famed reporter Robin Leach saw and wrote:

An unexpected teenage star was born Monday when ... Anna Graceman, just 13, stole the show! The triple-threat talent hails from the wilds of Alaska, but she sings well enough to rival Alicia Keys. She also plays piano as grand as Sir Elton John and writes songs as gifted as Adele and her idol, Taylor Swift. Incredibly, it’s her second starring spot on The Strip. As an 11-year-old on Season 6 of the top-rated NBC series, Anna was part of the touring version when it stopped for two nights at Caesars Palace in 2011. Her debut album was released last year. It was an incredible performance Monday night. It won her wild applause and a standing ovation. The pint-sized charmer is one giant talent and here now for seven weeks. I know she will one day return to The Strip headlining in her own right.[52][53]

In June 2014, DJ Lulleaux, a Dutch music producer, released a remix of her song Words.[54] As of 2020, it is his most popular track on SoundCloud, clocking 2.62 million plays.[55]

August 28, 2014 – Inaugural YouTube Music Night in Los Angeles: Graceman performed at the first YouTube Music Night in Los Angeles. The event was held at the studios in the YoutubeSpaceLA facilities.[56][57]

October 29, 2014 – Inaugural YouTube Music Night in Nashville, Tennessee: Graceman performed at the first YouTube Music Night in Nashville, Tennessee. The event was held at the Pinewood Social Event Center in downtown Nashville.[58][59]

September 21, 2016 – 'Pilgrimage Music and Cultural Festival' (30k in attendance) Anna Graceman appeared on NBC with her band 'Graceman' to promote the festival .[60][61]

September 25, 2016 - Pilgrimage Music Festival: Anna Graceman and the Graceman band performed at the 2nd annual Pilgrimage Festival in Franklin, TN. The line up included Beck, The Struts, Kacey Musgraves, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Kaleo, Shakey Graves, Cake, The Arcs, Anderson East to name a few.[62] The Festival was produced by Executive Producers Kevin Griffin and Justin Timberlake.[63] Anna Graceman appeared on NBC WSMV TV in Nashville to promote the festival.[64] The estimated attendance of the festival was 30,000 people over two days.[65]

June 1, 2020 - Songwriting Competition TV show Songland on NBC - Recording artist Bebe Rexha combined Graceman's song with that of fellow contestant Greg Scott and chose the song as the episode's winner.

Another Girl records

Anna Graceman records for her own independent label, Another Girl Records.[66][67]

Graceman Band
Anna, Allie, and Landon Graceman, 2016

Graceman performs with The Graceman Band, a trio that also includes Allie and Landon Graceman.[68][69] Relix Magazine stated that "The now 16-year-old singer-songwriter, who has recently begun to make her mark in Nashville, writes and produces all her own songs and, over the past couple of years, has brought her younger siblings onboard to form a trio they call 'Graceman'."[70][71] On October 4, 2016 Anna Graceman released the band's first full-length album titled ‘Rebel Days’; written and produced by Anna Graceman.[72][73]

The band's style of music incorporates elements of folk, soul and rock.[74][75] Its members are:[76][77][78][79]

  • Anna Graceman – piano, keyboards, bass, vocals
  • Allie Graceman – guitar, vocals
  • Landon Graceman – drums, percussion

Producer

Since the beginning of 2014, Graceman has produced all of her released music. These include "Speak to Me", "Living in Denial", "High Places", "Already Fallin", "IDK", "Miles Away", "Poison", "Never Meant to Me", "Leap of Faith", "Blink", "Heartbreaking Truth",[80] "Remember", "Rain", as well as the full length 'Graceman' album "Rebel Days".[81][82] Some of the selected musicians she has used in the production of her songs include Chuck Sabo,[83] Brent Mason, Randy Hope-Taylor, John Hobbs, Jim Horn, Glenn Worf, Bobby Terry and Eddie Bayers[84][85][86]

Musical influences

Graceman credits Ann Wilson (Heart), Amy Winehouse and Adele as her main inspirations.[87][88]

Studio albums
Title Album details
Anna Graceman
  • Artist: Anna Graceman
  • Released: September 25, 2012
  • Label: Another Girl Records (Self-Published)
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Rebel Days
  • Artist: Graceman
  • Released: October 4, 2016
  • Label: Another Girl Records (Self-Published)
  • Formats: digital download
The Way The Night Behaves
  • Artist: Graceman
  • Released: May 29, 2020
  • Label: Another Girl Records (Self-Published)
  • Formats: digital download

References
  1. CBS Television highlight's Anna Graceman's Lexi's Lullaby Retrieved on May 27, 2013
  2. Anna Graceman sings Lexi's Lullaby on Wimp.com Archived September 21, 2013, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on May 27, 2013
  3. Anna appears on The Ellen Show. Ellen Invites Anna to second show to meet Taylor Swift. Retrieved on November 5, 2014
  4. "11-Year-Old Anna Graceman Steals Spotlight on America's Got Talent". Inside Edition. September 7, 2011. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  5. CBS Television highlight's Anna Graceman's Lexi's Lullaby Retrieved on May 27, 2013
  6. July 03, Florida Weekly Staff | on; 2019 (July 3, 2019). "Capturing the creative process in 'Songland'". Fort Myers Florida Weekly. Retrieved September 18, 2020.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. "'Songland' Winners Anna Graceman And Greg Scott Combine Their Songs For Bebe Rexha « American Songwriter". American Songwriter. June 2, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  8. newmusicweekly (June 9, 2020). "Anna Graceman Releases New Album, The Way The Night Behaves". New Music Weekly. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  9. Anna Graceman talks about her early life Archived October 23, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on May 27, 2013.
  10. Anna Graceman's song So I Cried. Retrieved on May 27, 2013.
  11. Anna Graceman talks about her early life. Retrieved on May 27, 2013. Anna Graceman states that her soulful style of singing comes from her mother who loved listening to Motown records as did her grandmother
  12. Anna Graceman talks about Motown influence. Retrieved on May 27, 2013.
  13. Anna Graceman steals the spotlight on America's Got Talent Retrieved on May 27, 2013
  14. Anna Graceman steals the show at the Palazzo Retrieved on April 29, 2013
  15. Anna Graceman Sings "If I Aint Got You" by Alicia Keys Retrieved on September 23, 2013 Archived January 15, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  16. Anna Graceman videos on Disney Retrieved on May 26, 2013
  17. Anna Graceman announced as top finalist for the 2012 International Songwriting Competition Retrieved on April 29, 2013
  18. Anna Graceman states that she moved to Nashville, Tennessee Retrieved on November 7, 2014
  19. Relix magazine September issue cover. Page 23 Retrieved on November 7, 2016
  20. Relix Magazine article. Picture and article. featured on page 23 Retrieved on November 7, 2016
  21. Number of Anna Graceman Songs Retrieved on April 29, 2016
  22. Number of Anna Graceman Songs Retrieved on April 29, 2013
  23. Anna Graceman writes all of her own melodies and lyrics Retrieved on April 29, 2013
  24. Anna Graceman songs on YouTube Retrieved on April 29, 2013
  25. Anna Graceman songs on Soundcloud Retrieved on April 29, 2013
  26. Anna Graceman's songs begin to get noticed around the web Retrieved on April 29, 2013
  27. Anna Graceman the little singer songwriter Archived September 11, 2016, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on April 29, 2013
  28. Anna Graceman appears on the Ellen Show Archived October 22, 2014, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on May 26, 2013
  29. Anna Graceman entertains on Ellen Age 9 Archived October 23, 2013, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on April 29, 2013
  30. Anna Graceman tells the story of Ellen discovering her Retrieved on September 23, 2013
  31. Anna Graceman explains her visit to Ellen Retrieved on May 26, 2013
  32. Anna Graceman performs at the 36th Annual Alaska Folk Festival Archived October 13, 2013, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on April 29, 2013
  33. Anna Graceman the favorite to win this seasons AGT Archived November 9, 2013, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on April 29, 2013
  34. local girl shows her talent on National TV Archived November 9, 2013, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on April 29, 2013
  35. Anna Graceman AGT Audition mainstream Retrieved on April 29, 2013
  36. Anna Graceman audition wows the media Retrieved on April 29, 2013
  37. Anna Graceman Sings "If I Aint Got You" by Alicia Keys Retrieved on April 29, 2013
  38. Anna Graceman performs 'What A Wonderful World' in her own style Retrieved on April 29, 2013
  39. Avril Lavigne discusses Anna Graceman Archived November 9, 2013, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on May 26, 2013
  40. Anna Graceman gets noticed by Mötley Crüe Retrieved on April 29, 2013
  41. Anna Graceman receives accolades for her rendition of Mötley Crüe's Home Sweet Home Retrieved on April 29, 2013
  42. Anna Graceman does it again. Wild Applause. Archived November 9, 2013, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on April 29, 2013
  43. Anna Graceman talks to NBC about her time on AGT. Retrieved on May 27, 2013.
  44. Piers Morgan said Home Sweet Home was her best performance yet. Archived June 26, 2013, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on May 26, 2013
  45. Anna Graceman talks to NBC about her time on AGT. Retrieved on May 27, 2013.
  46. Anna Graceman performs True Colors at AGT Finals Archived November 9, 2013, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on April 29, 2013
  47. Anna Graceman NBC Pictures of her performances and time on AGT Retrieved on May 26, 2013
  48. Anna Graceman performs at Caesars Palace Colosseum Retrieved on April 29, 2013
  49. Anna Graceman performs at Caesars Palace Colosseum Retrieved on April 29, 2013
  50. Anna Graceman performs at the Palazzo Theater for seven weeks Retrieved on April 29, 2013
  51. Anna Graceman Palazzo Theatre Residency Retrieved on April 29, 2013
  52. Anna Graceman wows at the Palazzo Retrieved on 2013-04-29
  53. Anna Graceman is spectacular at the Palazzo Archived May 25, 2013, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2013-04-29
  54. "Anna Graceman - Words (Lulleaux Remix)". June 9, 2014.
  55. "Lulleaux (Popular tracks)". Sound Cloud. DJ Lulleaux. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  56. Anna Graceman performs at the first ever YouTube Music Night in Los Angeles Retrieved on November 4, 2014
  57. Anna Graceman appears on National News Los Angeles ABC News after performing at YouTube Space in LA Retrieved on November 4, 2014
  58. Anna Graceman performs in Nashville for the very first ever YouTube Nashville Music Night. Retrieved on November 4, 2014
  59. Anna Graceman performs in Nashville. YouTube To Sponsor Educational Workshops For Nashville Music Community. Retrieved on November 4, 2014
  60. Anna Graceman performs Glass Walls on NBC Nashville Hardrock Cafe Stage. Retrieved on November 10, 2016
  61. pilgrimage festival attendance beats record for 2016. Retrieved on November 10, 2016
  62. Anna Graceman performs at pilgrimage festival. Retrieved on November 4, 2016
  63. Justin Timberlake executive producer of the pilgrimage festival. Retrieved on November 4, 2016
  64. Anna Graceman performs Glass Walls on NBC Nashville Hardrock Cafe Stage. Archived October 17, 2017, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on March 20, 2018
  65. pilgrimage festival attendance beats record for 2016. Retrieved on November 10, 2016
  66. Anna Graceman Ingrooves Fontana distribution deal reference Retrieved on November 7, 2014
  67. Anna Graceman Ingrooves Fontana distribution deal 2nd reference Retrieved on November 7, 2014
  68. Anna Graceman and band playing on NBC channel 4 in Nashville TN Hardrock Cafe Stage Retrieved on November 7, 2016
  69. CBS Television highlight's Anna Graceman's Lexi's Lullaby Retrieved on May 27, 2013
  70. Relix magazine september issue cover. anna featured on page 23 Retrieved on November 7, 2016
  71. Relix magazine inside magazine. anna graceman picture and article. featured on page 23 Retrieved on November 7, 2016
  72. itunes digital release Retrieved on November 7, 2016
  73. anna holding a copy of her bands vinyl album and cd Retrieved on November 7, 2016
  74. Graceman band performing their song 'Never Meant to Me' Retrieved on November 7, 2016
  75. Graceman band performing Anna Graceman's song 'Heartbreaking Truth' Retrieved on November 7, 2016
  76. Graceman band performing their song 'Dust' Retrieved on November 7, 2016
  77. Main Graceman Band Website Retrieved on May 29, 2015
  78. 'Rebel Days' released on Vinyl and CD format. Retrieved on November 7, 2016
  79. iTunes download link of 'Rebel Days' Album produced by Anna Graceman Retrieved on November 7, 2016
  80. the magazine Music Connection reviews Heartbreaking Truth. Retrieved on November 10, 2016
  81. the Franklin Theatre states that she is producing all of her music. Retrieved on November 7, 2016
  82. Anna Graceman states that she is producing much of her recent music and lists musicians she is working with. Retrieved on November 7, 2014
  83. Anna Graceman working with Chuck Sabo. Retrieved on November 5, 2014
  84. Anna Graceman lists top session musicians she is currently Producing with. Retrieved on November 5, 2014
  85. Anna Graceman Produces her song "Speak to Me". Retrieved on November 5, 2014.
  86. Anna Graceman states that she is producing much of her recent music and lists musicians she is working with. Retrieved on November 7, 2014
  87. Anna Graceman interviewed at Scholastic Books. Celebrityinterviews.tumblr.com (February 21, 2010). Retrieved on December 30, 2012.
  88. Anna Graceman interview. Celebrityinterviews.tumblr.com (February 21, 2010). Retrieved on December 30, 2012.
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