Singer/songwriter & multi-instrumentalist known for his songs showcasing vocals over unique tap/slap guitar playing.
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About
Hailing from Del Norte, Colo., Grayson Erhard’s style leans heavily on the technically complex tap-slap style of percussive guitar often paired with moving, airy vocals. Erhard often feels the pull between performing as a musicians’ musician and the accessible, trend-obsequious world of pop, creating a sound that weaves between complement and contrast. This unique tension, combined with Erhard’s experience sharing the stage with Stevie Wonder, has led to Erhard’s viral success and a sound that both complements and contrasts his various styles.
Songs like “Manifest” and “Tapestry” showcase Erhard’s ability to stand on his own, organically, and represent beacons of the kind of musician Erhard strives to be.
While he daylights as a computer programmer, Erhard’s work showcases his authentic, organic style, honed since his childhood in the southern Colorado town of Del Norte—a rural community of 1,800 people on the western edge of the San Luis Valley. More commonly known as “The Valley,” it’s a section of Colorado hot with alien observatories and cosmic undertones. Here, in isolation, Erhard ground out a sound that is entirely his own, but this small town was no place to pursue a music career or develop his budding interest in programming, driving him to the Front Range.
However, after moving to northern Colorado, he quickly experienced culture shock. The oversaturation of fake news, politicking and the constant distraction of this new environment drove him to the extent that he needed to write music relentlessly. Hence his standout piece, “Manifest”, was born, a cultural narrative that laments our dependence on social media and its propensity to overwhelm our lives. “Manifest / your world is your reflection,” Erhard sings in its video, surrounded by televisions and computers that flicker with images of then-president Barack Obama, Kim Kardashian and infomercial detritus. Written in part to assail the internet, Erhard’s song was championed by it. In November 2016, “Manifest” shot to nearly 1 million views from Facebook and YouTube in its first week, with an appearance on Reddit’s front page.
Recently following the viral success of “Manifest”, Erhard was finishing an abbreviated cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” to a small audience at a music trade show called NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) when Wonder himself approached the stage. Baffled, Erhard apologized to him for not knowing the lyrics to the second and third verse.
The rest is viral history.
“I’ll teach you the words you don’t know,” Wonder said, and over Erhard’s knotty guitar playing, the two launched into an impromptu duet. The crowd grew exponentially and proceeded to watch through their phones. The next day, Erhard was in Rolling Stone, taking calls from Good Morning America and appearing on major television networks all across the globe. The media attention from that second strike of viral lightning allowed Erhard to resign from his day job to pursue music full time.
Ironically, with the help of his computer programming background, Erhard has been able to capitalize on the importance of social media by building a web presence and community around his music, pushing his message of authenticity via the channels that challenge it.
He is currently independent of a record label, self-managed, self-booked and self-promoted.
Stevie Wonder was walking through the lobby of the Anaheim Marriott over the weekend when he ran into Grayson Erhard. . .
Gil Kaufman
Erhard had performed an abbreviated version of the song because, as he explained to Wonder, “I don’t actually know the second and third verses yet.” The guitarist was overwhelmed by Wonder’s presence, but he was truly shocked when the music legend got onstage to perform the song with him. Erhard held his own through what must have been an overwhelming experience.
Christopher Scapelliti
Writer / Guitar Player Magazine
Erhard’s website lists his previous performances and shared studios with musicians like Shakey Graves, the Meat Puppets and the String Cheese Incident. As of this weekend, he can add Stevie Wonder to his list.
Nina Golgowski
Journalist / The Huffington Post
After Wonder dedicated the performance to “the March on Washington and all the women of the world, the two traded off the first verse and chorus. Wonder then simply leaned in and whispered the lyrics into Erhard’s ear while the guitarist belted them out. What’s even better is the stunned performer held his own, keeping his cool and delivering a solid rendition while he stood right next to the living legend.
Ben Kaye
Writer / Consequence of Sound
Grayson Erhard held his own when living legend Steve Wonder surprised him on stage!
Robin Meade
A young singer named Grayson Erhard had a pleasant, albeit nerve-wracking, surprise when Stevie Wonder happened upon him singing his classic "Superstition" in a hotel lobby.
Brittany Spanos
Staff Writer / Rolling Stone
Stevie Wonder heard Grayson Erhard play and joined him on stage.
Despite the shock of standing onstage next to a musical icon, a video of the performance shows Grayson not only keeping his composure, but holding his own.
VALERIE SIEBERT
Journalist / Daily Mail
For Erhard especially, it was as much about escaping the constant psychic noise of the internet as it was seeking artistic enlightenment. The internet, though, and the power of social networks, was exactly what would launch his career as a full-time musician.
Allison Dyer-Bluemel
Journalist / The Denver Post
Grayson Erhard, pulls listeners into the depths of a cave, recreating the struggle when loved ones are lost to drug addiction with a unique and raw guitar style. As the music searches to escape the cave, we are reminded that addiction has only one exit: oneself.
Grayson doesn't just perform perfectly timed two-handed tapping in his music. His is a hybrid style of tapping, difficult fingerpicking, sliding, neck bending and percussive use of the guitar body, presented in lush compositions with compelling themes.
The kicker with Grayson... I don't know how else to put this. He sings like a rock god! And I wouldn't use that phrase lightly.
Duncan Taylor
Columnist / Colorado Daily
"Erhard is one of the most unique performers to ever play the Hynds venue."
"Singer-songwriter Grayson Erhard is changing things up with his music."
Adrian Gomez
Entertainment Editor / Albuquerque Journal
"Our good friend Grayson Erhard stopped by Dunlop HQ today and jammed on our new Taylor Guitars with his favorite thumbpick and acoustic strings. Sounds great Grayson!"
Chrys Johnson
Artist Relations / Jim Dunlop Guitar Products
"Check out the single 'Ears, Eyes and Hands.' I was a big Jeff Buckley fan, and I think this song channels Jeff."
Debbie Mazella
Program Director / iHeartMedia Magic 98.3 FM
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RT @colindickey: Fucking tired as hell having to call these goddamn ghouls every two weeks just to keep them from killing or bankrupting everyone I love.
