Former Marine and Country Artist, Josh Gracin, Talks Nashville Favorites and New Music in Exclusive Interview

Nov 11, 2017

Talk to us about the songs on your most recent EP “Nothin’ Like Us,” that released in February.

An energetic, lyrical journey through what I believe country music is to me. Country music has always been about the story! You can take any country song and apply it to a moment in your life. Ten years down the road you can hear those songs and remember exactly what you were going through.

Was “Nothin’ Like Us” born in Nashville or on the road?

It was born all over. We chose all the songs based on how I related to them. Life has made me who I am today so we tried to tap into my many situations good and bad when deciding the songs for the album.

“Redemption” was released in 2011 and your new EP “Nothin’ Like Us” came out earlier this year, What has changed in your life between then and now.. Was there a big difference in writing between these two.

Everything! I am happy inside and out! My wife truly saved me from a road of anger and regret. She is the reason I stood back up and fought to get of the bench and back in the game.

What made you want to become a musician?

When I was 10 years old and discovered I could sing. I’ve loved all types of music ever since I could remember, but my heart was Country the moment I was exposed to Garth Brooks.

You have played with a lot of artists in your career, who has left the biggest impact and why?

Honestly, they all have! The country community has always been great towards me whenever we cross paths on the road. From actual advice to open arms, the country music community tries to build up each other.

Anyone you would love to collaborate with?

Garth, Brett, Maren just to name a few!

What else is coming up for you for the remainder of the year?

Continuing to visit radio to setup the release of the single Jan 15th! I know the importance of getting back out to radio and letting them know I’m willing to do whatever is needed!

What’s the best thing to eat that’s deep fried?

Chicken Tenders lol! I’m a big kid!

What condiment do you always have in your fridge?

Ketchup!

What are your top three US cities for food?

New York City, Chicago, and Nashville

Favorite food to cook with that comes in a can?

Chilli! A lot of the ingredients come in a can, so I think that counts lol!

One junk food you know you could never give up?

Pizza!

If you could be on a reality cooking show, what would it be?

Anything on the Food Network!

Aside from your passion for food and music, what’s the one thing that really keeps you ticking?

My wife Katie and my children from my previous marriage. They keep me going, pushing me to go forward.

Website: http://www.joshgracinofficial.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joshgracin/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshgracin/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/joshgracin
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/joshgracin

ABOUT JOSH GRACIN:
A Michigan native who grew up listening to country and R&B music, Josh Gracin catapulted to fame after auditioning for the second season of the hit television series American Idol. Josh, who was serving in the United States Marine Corps at the time, quickly became a fan favorite and won the hearts of viewers with his strong fourth place finish on Idol.
Following his appearance on the series and the completion of his military service (he was honorably discharged in 2004), Josh released his self-titled debut album that summer. Three Top Five singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart later, the Recording Industry Association of America certified the album gold. “Gracin Nation” was wanting more, and Josh delivered in the form of his sophomore album, We Weren’t Crazy, which was released in 2008. The album produced five more chart singles, including a top ten in its title track. Redemption, Josh’s third album, was released in 2011 and showcased his growth as a writer, artist and producer with the hit single “Long Way to Go” making its way up the adult contemporary charts.
Now, intermission is officially over. The Josh Gracin Drink It Gone Tour is rolling through the country playing sold out shows to fans from the East Coast to Down South. And when he’s not on stage, Josh is in studio — writing and recording the next generation of country music hits for his upcoming album. Dust off your boots. Get ready. Josh Gracin is back.

Nothin’ Like Us Interview

Oct 19, 2017

Josh Gracin is back at country radio and back in the game with a new single and a new outlook. Gracin recently released “Nothin’ Like Us,” and he tells Taste of Country that “things are going really well” as he travels the country to promote the song at country radio.
The former American Idol Season 2 finalist had “written about 20 or so things” before he went into the studio to cut, he says. He asked his producer “right at the last minute” if there were any other songs they should consider. His producer played four songs for him, “and I instantly knew that I had some more work to do from the writing side,” Gracin confesses.

“Nothin’ Like Us” was part of that batch, and Gracin knew immediately it was a song he wanted to cut. It’s the title song of his new EP, Nothin’ Like Us, Part 1, which is actually the first installment of an album he is releasing in halves.
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“The whole thing has changed,” the former singer says of the music business. “I felt it was really important to get music out there in front of the industry, country radio and most importantly, the fans. All with the understanding that we were going to be coming with a full album, I would say in late fall of 2018.”

Gracin has taken the reigns of his career by launching his own label, and he’s been through enormous changes in his personal life in recent years, too. In 2014 he made headlines when he posted what many fans thought was a suicide note on Facebook, and he subsequently lost half of his music rights in a divorce from his wife of 17 years.
The singer is hesitant to discuss the specifics of those hard times out of fear of impacting his children. He is circumspect in looking back at that period, choosing his words carefully.

“It was just a thing where somebody decided the grass was greener elsewhere, and there was nothing I could do about that, no matter what I tried,” he admits. “Everything happens for a reason, and going through that and finally realizing where I made mistakes personally, and where I could be a better person, better husband, better father later on down the road, I think that’s the reason. The man upstairs had to strip me down to my foundation in order to build me up for what’s next. I truly believe that.”

Gracin wed Katie Weir in May of 2017, and he credits her with a new outlook that has had a huge impact on his music. “Nothin’ Like Us” is a reflection of that sunnier state of mind. “I wasn’t looking for anything, and finally being content to be with myself and be who I was … right at that moment, my wife comes along and changes everything for me.”