Gregory Raposo
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| Greg Raposo | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Gregory Frank Raposo |
| Born | May 3, 1985 |
| Origin | Long Island, New York |
| Genre(s) | Pop, Rock |
| Years active | 1999 — 2002 (group) (Dream Street) 2003 — 2005 - Greg Raposo (solo) 2005 — 2007 - Raposo (band) 2007 - Stereopath (band) 2008 - present - Raposo (band) |
| Label(s) | Independent |
| Website | http://www.myspace.com/stereopathmusic |
Gregory Frank Raposo (born May 3, 1985)[1] is an American pop singer and actor. Raposo initially came to fame in the early 2000s as a member of the boy band Dream Street, but has subsequently branched out into a solo career as a rock singer in his band Stereopath (formerly Raposo) and now Raposo again. His self-titled debut solo album Greg Raposo was released in 2003 and charted at #40 in its opening week. His concerts have become known for their "surprises" that differ from concert-to-concert. He is known for bringing fans onstage or jumping into the audience.
He is the nephew of Sesame Street composer Joe Raposo[2].
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[edit] Early life
Gregory Frank Raposo was born in New York May 3rd, 1985 to Maryann and Octavio Raposo.
When Greg was two years old, he began to develop a fascination with the guitar. When he was six years old, Mrs. Raposo decided that she was tired of having to buy more toy guitars because he kept breaking them, so she bought him his first real guitar and arranged for him to take guitar lessons with a private teacher. O'Connell advised him to take vocal lessons with his guitar classes, and at first he refused, claiming that he had a horrible voice. But as Greg wanted to continue with the guitar lessons, he reluctantly agreed and much to his surprise, Greg had a great voice. He was soon after entered into a talent contest. Amazingly, he won, singing an Elvis Presley song. His mother then entered him on Star Search. He took second place and was referred to an agent. Things began to really pick up in the biz for little Greg after that...
[edit] Mid-Career
Greg was cast into sixteen regional and national commercials for everything from Kit-Kat candy bars to Crest toothpaste. Then at nine, he requested to be allowed to sing and play guitar on-air during a local live recording of a radio show on WPLJ. Deejay Scott Shannon agreed and Greg went on the air. Shannon thought that Greg was very talented and from that day on was crowned as "The Elvis Kid". Greg appeared on WPLJ for three years.[3]
"The Elvis Kid" performed everywhere, including with The Jordanaires and DJ Fontana who were Elvis' real backup band. Greg was even the only child invited to perform at Graceland for the 20th Anniversary of Elvis Presley's death (1997) by Priscilla Presley herself!
In 1996, Greg auditioned for 'Broadway on Broadway', an extravaganza of Broadway performers. Greg got the honor of being the opener for the show and sang an original composition in front of fifty-thousand people.
After opening for 'Broadway on Broadway', he was cast in an off-Broadway singing group called "The Broadway Kids", with whom he recorded two albums and met fellow future Dream Street member Chris Trousdale. In 1998, both boys auditioned for a group called "Boy Wonder" and obviously they both made it. Unfortunately, although Chris and Greg made it, Boy Wonder didn't and had to be disbanded for lack of interest from sponsors. Greg and Chris were kept on hold for a new project called Dream Street... and the rest is history!
Besides Dream Street and The Broadway Kids, Greg was involved with many charity and anti-substance abuse groups, and even 'adopted' an orphaned, homeless boy for Christmas one year, inspiring his song 'Don't Leave Me.' His charities included: The Kids for Kids Project, Audrey Hepburn/Children's Fund, Young Plaza Ambassadors Club, Jerry's Kids, and Variety: the Children's Charity. Greg claims that Kids for Kids is his favorite credit and the most fulfilling thing he has ever taken part in.
[edit] Solo career
He performed his first solo concert on October 13, 2002 at The Downtown in Farmingdale, New York. The event was so successful that tickets sold out in less than two hours and he had to schedule a second concert for that day at the same venue, which also sold out. He subsequently performed at several radio station multi-artist shows, solo acts, and as an opening act for several bands.[4]
On May 3rd, 2003 -- his eighteenth birthday -- Greg's first solo single, "Take Me Back Home," premiered on RadioDisney as a part of their "Music Mailbag" segment. It received rave ratings, and won a spot on the station's playlist with an amazing 92% of the popular vote -- setting records on RadioDisney.
Greg's second amazing debut-album single, "Every Summer," was premiered on the RadioDisney Music Mailbag on July 12, 2003, and again Greg broke records with an astounding 95% of the popular vote.
Greg's self-titled debut album hit shelves on September 2, 2003. The album was in the top fifty on the Billboard Top Sales chart (#40) and was #67 on the Billboard Top HeatSeekers chart the week of its release. The first single from the album, "Every Summer," debuted on the RadioDisney Top Thirty Countdown on September 14, 2003 at spot #22. He first debuted on the RadioDisney Dot Com Top 3 with "Every Summer" on November 19, 2003, at the #3 spot.
In November of 2003, Greg embarked on his first national tour as a headlining act, co-heading with Stevie Brock for the RadioDisney Jingle Jam Tour, with fellow ex-Dream Streeter Jesse McCartney opening. The tour hit nineteen cities across the United States and the average audience size was around 2000 people for each venue.
Greg's second single, "Take Me Back Home," was officially added to the RadioDisney playlist on November 21, 2003.
[edit] Raposo
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New York rock band RAPOSO are strong musicians with talent, focus and drive to take them on the road to success. Often headlining at New York's Knitting Factory, they are in constant demand to tour by their fans. "I have dedicated my life to music since I was very young because I've always known what I'm meant to be," says front man Greg Raposo. "I hope through my music, I can give my generation a new voice." The band is currently in the studio working on their debut album.
The leading force behind RAPOSO, Greg's lyrics chronicle everyday life of today's youth, creating anthem-like songs that connect with the fans. RAPOSO's songs are vibrant, energetic, and dynamic--catchy hooks and melodies wrapped in up-tempo rhythms and guitar riffs. The songs are radio-friendly but never lose their mainstream rock edge. "If I could put the balls of Stone Temple Pilots on Gavin DeGraw, and then mix it with the mainstream styles of Nickelback and 3 Doors Down, it would resemble our sound," says Greg. Delivering powerful lyrics that leave the audience chanting along, Greg is reminiscent of a new generation Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi; a reference he has heard frequently over the years. The songs showcase Greg's diverse vocal abilities-rich, deep and soulful on the quieter songs, and intense and powerful on the faster songs. RAPOSO's live shows are high-energy, fueled by passion and devotion, always leaving their audience wanting more.
Lead singer and guitarist Greg Raposo, 20, is a New York native with undeniable stage presence and hit songwriting pedigree. His 17-year career has seen him gain international recognition, do major television appearances, tour constantly across the country, appearing on covers and in every popular magazine, selling a million records, and building a solid fan-base who have grown with him over the years. He has performed in many venues including Jones Beach Amphitheater, Nassau Coliseum and House of Blues. At 16, Greg released a self-titled debut album of pop/rock songs, which debuted on the Billboard Independent Albums chart at #40, and released a live concert DVD last year. These were all incredible experiences for the young Raposo, but to him they were stepping stones that would to lead him to now.
"It's important that my band consists of the best musicians for me that are out there. We must all share the same musical vision and have the same passion for what we do," states Greg. Through years of various band formations, Greg finally found what he was looking for in lead guitarist Nick Slobodskoy, 22. Nick was first a classically trained violinist, but that all changed when he was introduced to the music of Guns N' Roses and purchased his first guitar 7 years ago. Nick formed rock band Floffus and later joined local band Brookside, sharing the stage with such national acts as Thursday, Taking Back Sunday, The Starting Line, Wheatus and Superdrag. Drummer Lou Vecchio, 21, started playing drums the moment his foot could reach the pedal. This third-generation drummer cites his father, Louis Vecchio, among his many idols. Endorsed by MRP Drums, Lou is recognized as one of the best drummers on Long Island. His tight rhythms and passionate playing brings a distinctive groove to the RAPOSO sound. Bassist Jakey Lee, 21, grew up on classic rock. He was in Brookside for several tours and played with Nick. He had also done some studio sessions with Lou, and their chemistry was already there. Matching Lou's tight rhythms brought Jake into the fold as the final member of RAPOSO.
The band's determination and professionalism leaves no doubt they have what it takes to succeed. They are gearing up to bring the arena-rock crowd back to their feet. "The music is what brings us together," says Greg. "It is the definition of who we are." RAPOSO prefers to just let the music speak for itself.
[edit] Stereopath
The second incarnation of Raposo, Stereopath existed until guitarist Nick Slobodskoy left in February 2008. The band recorded an unreleased 6-song EP entitled "Stereopath."
[edit] Raposo
The third incarnation of Raposo began in May 2008.
[edit] Acting career
Raposo has also pursued an acting career, playing Henry in Return To Sleepaway Camp in 2003. He also appeared as himself in The Biggest Fan in 2002, and in Destination Fame in 2004.
[edit] External links
- [1] Stereopath Homepage
