Grayson initiates Concert Conversations at Charlotte’s Web July 11

Staff Report

Charlotte’s Web for the Performing Arts is proud to introduce Concert Conversations, a new concert series recorded live for broadcast. July 11 will be the first in the series — a straight 70-80-minute set, no intermission, on a weeknight starting at 6 p.m. at Emerson House, 420 N. Main St. This is a beautiful acoustic room with a capacity limited to 60 people, cost $10 per ticket. This series will be the baby sister of Austin City Limits, right here in Rockford this July.

The initial act will be Grayson from Australia, who is traveling Route 66 and playing 66 gigs in 66 days with a film crew to follow his journey, making a movie while making music across the country and will take a break in Rockford to help us launch Concert Conversations!

“66 Days on Route 66″ is revitalizing the classic American road trip, as seen through the lens of the Australian singer-songwriter, Grayson, navigating a new identity in a new land. See www.facebook.com/66daysonroute66.

Michael Edser is Grayson. The name Grayson comes from his childhood street, where he spent many years learning to play, sing and write music. Grayson has been performing alongside his twin brother, Tony, from a very young age, and has ventured into a music career in Europe. He has traveled extensively through Europe and the U.S. after establishing a strong following in Australia. Grayson, on his tour of Europe in 2008, secured a contract with Rifle Range records. He moved to Ireland in early 2009 and spent most of the year recording his debut album, Somewhere in the Night. Grayson also found time to tour with the biggest names in Irish music as well as tour all around Europe playing his own sell-out shows.

On release, his first single, Stand Clear, entered the top 40 commercial charts and reached No. 1 on the Indie download charts (Ireland). The first Australian to do this, 2010 has seen Grayson return to Australia to tour with the likes of Jimmy Barnes, The whitlams and Vanessa Amorosi. Grayson released his first single, “Change,” in Australia, and it reached No. 1 on the official Aria physical singles charts as well as No. 8 on the Aria Hit Seekers chart. Grayson plans on playing various shows in OZ this year, along with shows in Europe, New Zealand, America and the United Kingdom.

Cost is $10. Seating is limited to the first 60 people who arrive. For more information, call (815) 543-7627 or visit www.Snapshotmusic.com.