Artist description Pop/Rock

Music Style Pop/Rock

Musical Influences The Beatles, 10cc, Level 42, Squeeze, Crowded House, Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins, Blue Rodeo, Tears fof Fears, Elton John, John Mellencamp, The Police, Tom Petty, The Eagles, Paul Carrack, Queen, Elvis Costello, Eric Clapton, Tonic, Jellyfish, The Wallflowers, Toy Matinee, Steely Dan

Similar Artists John Mayer, David Gray, Crowded House, Paul McCartney, 10cc, Paul Carrack, Blue Rodeo, Phil Collins, Squeeze

Artist History Greg Wyard is a songwriter who believes that songwriting is a craft, and each song is its own reward for the work put into it. "A good song is like a true friend - it will always be there when you need it." Wyard, who grew up in the south of England before immigrating to Canada at age 13, credits seventies British pop bands such as 10cc, ELO and Squeeze for giving him his musical foundation. Over several years, he has built on this to develop his own sound, best described as Neil Finn meets John Mayer. Greg's latest CD, "Something I made up" is a testament to that Brit-pop songwriting tradition. It is a collection of 11 finely crafted songs, full of McCartneyesque melodic hooks, and thoughtful lyrics, dealing with diverse subjects that we all relate to - love, happiness, loss and regret. These emotions are explored in songs like "Just be you", a beautiful song about appreciating what you have in the here and now, and resisting change for change's sake. "Ready to come back home" is an upbeat folk-rocker that explores the anticipation of returning home after a separation. Greg even tackles a difficult topic such as Alzheimer's disease with grace in the poignant "Few and far between", with its sweet and simple guitar / cello arrangement. As an artist, Greg is a triple threat with incredible songwriting skills, a powerful voice, and amazing acoustic guitar chops. He is at his best when performing live, which he does up to 200 times a year. He is currently living in Toronto, Canada where he performs regularly and working on his third CD with a proposed release in 2003.

Group Members Greg Wyard - guitar, lead vocal Jason Farrar - bass, Nick Wyard - drums Todd Huckabone - guitar, vocals Ken Fahie - keyboards

Instruments Vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards, drums

Albums The First - released April 22 1998 Something I made up - released April 6, 2001

Press Reviews "...as far as lyrical, songwriterly pop/rock goes, Toronto singer and guitarist Greg Wyard is onto something with The First. Hooky songs abound, and Wyard's clear, highly articulated voice drives his points home" - Kim Hughes, Now magazine "The uptempo songs shift in style from the Argy-Bargyness of "Nothing left to the Imagination" to the stax feel of "Let your hair down", but Wyard maintains strong melodies on weepers like "Looking in from the outside" and the sweet title track ["The First"]. Wonderful." - Erin Hawkins, Eye Toronto “Wyard’s debut CD, The First, is a fine piece of work, an eclectic blend of acoustic and electric guitars, piano and strings...Wyard gives the listener some thought-provoking music, and this CD is well worth picking up.” - Sheri Levine, Ottawa Life Magazine “With his debut release...he proves himself a more than capable songwriter who is particularly adept at the sort of mid-tempo, folk-flavored pop Blue Rodeo has done so well ... A fine debut, with superb musicianship and confident songwriting on display.-Shelley Devoto, The Ottawa X Press “The First is a polished effort...” -Alan Wigney, The Ottawa X Press “I like the CD a lot...I especially like track 2 [Hoping for a happy ending], Musically it's a good example of Wyard’s songwriting creativity...I like the unaffected quality of his singing. Direct, honest. reminds me a little of Neil Finn... and... Hemingway Corner, especially Scott Dibble.” -John Whynot, record producer (Blue Rodeo, Colin Linden) “Very impressive. I was pleasantly surprised that this could be someone’s first recording. You could tell Wyard spent the money where it had to be spent” -Steve Boyton, Music Director Lite 101.1 “Wyard’s work has really caught my attention” -Saul Jacobson, Majic 100 “We like Greg for a number of reasons, including his enthusiasm, perserverence, songwriting and his passion for what he does. But my primary interest in him is my belief that Greg will become the next trendsetter in music.” -Alan Morissette, Integrity Talent Direction

Location Toronto, ON - Canada

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