Artist description A New York born singer-songwriter with rootsy pop songs drawing from country, folk, blues and jazz. A true "Americana" artist.

Music Style Acoustic Americana

Musical Influences country, pop, blues and jazz

Similar Artists Bonnie Raitt, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Carly Simon, Emmylou Harris

Artist History Julie Grower Biography:Julie Grower Biography Ever since Julie Grower discovered the Beatles and Cream at age seven, she became a music intoxicated radio addict and had dreams of being a DJ. Even late at night, she played a game with sister tapping out rhythms and trying to guess songs without any notes to identify them. Says Grower, “One of my most powerful memories is hearing my voice on tape for the first time on an old Wollensack tape deck. At 10, Grower joined a city-sponsored performing arts group. A friendship with a camp counselor one summer served to introduce her to the folk singer-songwriter scene and left an early intense impression on the burgeoning singer/songwriter. She explains her youth evolution further “When a move to the suburbs crashed my hopes of going to the High School of Music and Art, I started junior high a stranger, and took to less extroverted pursuits like painting, drawing and reading. But I couldn’t stay away from music for very long, and joined the school chorus as well as studying classical guitar.” In high school, Grower formed a trio with two other musicians playing Grateful Dead and New Riders of The Purple Sage covers. “This was a wonderful way to hone my three-part harmony skills and work on rhythm guitar playing.” Says Grower. “I soon discovered the songs of Joni Mitchell, Bonnie Raitt, Bob Dylan and James Taylor, and started playing talent shows and youth center performances locally. I also had a short stint in the high school repertory group and took drama lessons independently.”In college, Grower turned to activism and environmental issues, but she still found musical ways to express her support. “I participated in a project called “Save The Mountain” which produced an album of songs celebrating the Hudson Valley scenic environment and toured throughout the area, challenging the Marriot Corporation in their efforts to buy beautiful Lake Minnewaska and turn it into condominiums and a golf course. The campaign was a success and Lake Minnewaska is today an untouched state park open to all.” After a stint with a five-part a’capella group and various small combos doing swing, jazz and folk, Grower decided she wanted to work in a full band situation. “Putting out feelers in the local college area, I discovered a working country and western band looking for a new singer. I did not know the country repertoire but liked the idea of a band where I wouldn’t have to scream and compete with wailing guitars. My love of folk music and swing combined to spark my interest in country. I auditioned with the one folk-country crossover song I knew—“Someday Soon”. I was hired on the spot, took a tape of current and classic country songs and memorized and studied for two weeks until I knew every one of them.”The material included old Patsy Cline songs, Dolly Parton songs, Emmylou Harris songs and more. This band later went on to be voted Top Country Band in Ulster County. “I also got to harmonize with the male lead singer who had a deep gruff voice that made a great contrast with mine. Thus started a five-year profession, singing country in red-neck bars, wineries, festivals and jamborees throughout the Hudson Valley area.”Upon her return to NYC, she renewed an interest in blues and jazz, performing at night clubs and private affairs through independent and agency bookings. This period also found Grower singing demos for many New York song and jingle writers. “Although I had written a couple of songs in high school and college, songwriting was not a serious endeavor for me until I began to perform around the New York City area. I cut my teeth at a club called Downtime at their Thursday night songwriter’s open mic, trying out new material every week. My writing was strongly influenced by the country and folk music I had sung and was drawn to the Nashville songwriting scene, taking trips there 3-4 times a year to perform showcases at the Bluebird and other Nashville venues, meet with publishers, and co-write.”During this period, Grower was hired by two all-female country singing trio and started performing with them around the New York area, sometimes including her original material in the sets. The songs “All Night Diner” and “Parking Spot” became part of this repertoire and were recorded by these bands. During this time she was the recipient of two Billboard Song Contest certificates of achievement.The past three years have found Grower writing songs which fall into the category of New Country or Americana: “I have been expanding my style and experimenting with the genres which have influenced me most; country, folk, jazz and blues. I have also written several songs for an organization called “Songs Of Love” which delivers personalized songs to chronically ill children. My co-writing experiences have been very positive and I look forward to doing more of this in the future.”Now Grower has released her nine-song debut CD, with songs co-produced by Jon Gordon (Musical Director; Suzanne Vega, Madonna). It is scheduled for release in early October 2000 and will be available at CDBaby.com, among other sites, by direct mail, and of course at live shows.”From her earliest musical influences—Maurice Ravel, George and Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter— to her latest Grower remains committed to music and a musical life.

Group Members Julie Grower

Instruments Guitar, Voice

Albums In A New Light

Press Reviews Songwriter's Monthly: Crisp Melody driven songs. Julie’s angelic voice delicately renders snapshots of life and love. Her sultry snarl in “Bad Boys” is a pleasant shocker. Grower has a knack for penning tunes that reside comfortably in your ear.Lord Litter, Radio Marabu:When I put on this CD for the first time I immediately knew that this would be on my list forever. Pure, honest and unpretentious Folk, Country, Rock songs that have a timeless quality. Listening to this I simply feel good…this is real music for music lovers who do not care about ANY fashion aspect. Pure emotion put to music. If you are looking for pure and honest songs you simply can’t go wrong with this release – I love it!Eddie Russell, Country Eastern Outlaw for Peace Radio Show:I find “In A New Light " CD to be most outstanding. Way, way above average...& enjoy so much the vocals, lyrics & melodies...plus such warm production.Jos Van Den Boom, BRTO Radio:In my view Julie Grower is a great singer and songwriter. She sounds a bit like Carly Simon but that doesn’t matter at all. “In A New Light” is a terrific album…purchase this fabulous album as soon as possible.

Location Nasville, TN - USA

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