Clinton Gregory

Clinton Gregory
Clinton Gregory 2013 performing live.
Background information
Born	(1964-03-01) March 1, 1964
Origin	Martinsville, Virginia, USA
Genres	Country Bluegrass
Occupations	Singer-songwriter
Instruments	Vocals, fiddle
Years active	1990-present
Labels	Step One, Rock Bottom, Polydor, Melody Roundup Music
Associated acts	Keith Stegall
Website	Official website

Clinton Gregory^[1][2] born March 1, 1964 in Martinsville, Virginia) is an American country and bluegrass singer, songwriter, and fiddler. He has recorded ten studio albums, primarily on independent labels, and has charted eleven singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now known as Hot Country Songs) charts. His highest charting single is "Play, Ruby, Play", which reached No. 25.

Biography

As a small child playing in the dirt of Henry County, Virginia, Clinton Gregory knew his life was going to differ from all those around him, but he could not have anticipated the great highs and lows his life adventures would bring. Clinton Gregory began playing the fiddle at age five;^[1] by age six, he was performing at bluegrass festivals.^[3] A fifth-generation fiddle player, Clinton was born into a family steeped in traditional country music; he carried the family past-time across state lines, moving to Nashville, Tennessee in 1987, to share his God-given, natural talent and the heart and soul ambition to keep American Music, and his heritage, alive. At age twelve, he and his family moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where his father, Willie Gregory, performed on the Grand Ole Opry.^{[1] [3]}

During the early 1990s, Gregory celebrated a string of successes with the release of six national recording projects while signed to Step One Records,^[2] eleven charting singles [including "Play, Ruby Play," “If It Weren't For Country Music I'd Go Crazy" and "Who Needs It"]found success with the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, becoming the first independent act in over a decade to reach the Top 30 on the U.S. country charts.^[1][3][4]

Clinton Gregory also performed alongside country music stars such as Willie Nelson, Hank Williams Jr, Garth Brooks, Brooks & Dunn (Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn), Marty Stuart, Travis Tritt, Aaron Tippin, Billy Dean, Pam Tillis, Tanya Tucker, Joe Diffie, Mark Chesnutt, The Statler Brothers and Suzy Bogguss.

'Music 'N' Me', His debut album,^[2] (Step One Records, 1990), included four tracks released as singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks Chart:

• 'Nobody's Darlin' But Mine', which was written by Jimmie Davis (11 September 1899 - Sunday 5 November 2000) (this single did not chart)
• 'Made For Lovin' You' (written by Curly Putman and Sonny Throckmorton) (this single did not chart)
• 'She Put The Music In Me' (written by Al DeLory and Lee Johnson) (this single did not chart)
• 'Couldn't Love Have Picked A Better Place To Die' (written by Curly Putman and Bucky Jones) (No.64, 1991)

The album also included the following tracks:

• 'Moccasin Man', which was written by Joe Allen and Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 - Saturday 17 April 2004)
• 'Back On Track', which was written by Dave Gibson, Sam Hogin (1950 - Monday 9 August 2004) and M. Johnson
• 'Darlin' Does He' (written by K. Steele, R. Steele and John Wiggins)
• 'Love Is A Road' (written by Jim Rushing, Rory Bourke and J. Hicks)
• 'Loving On Backstreets' (written by Hugh H. King)
• 'You Can't Take It With You' (written by Hal Bynum and Jim Kandy)
• 'I Can't Be Myself' (written by Merle Haggard)

Personnel involved included the following:

• Bobby All (died 19 March 2009) and Roger Ball: rhythm guitar
• Gene Chrisman: drums
• Buddy Emmons: steel guitar
• Gregg Galbraith and Brent Mason: lead guitar
• Clinton Gregory: fiddle and vocals
• Bunky Keels: piano
• Gary Prim: keyboards
• David Smith: bass
• Dennis Wilson and Rhonda Hart: background vocals
• Ray Pennington: Producer
• Kevin McManus: Engineer

Making his Grand Ole Opry debut in 1990, Gregory enjoyed the privilege of gracing the stage at the Mother Church of country music nearly 30 times over, including the cherished moment in February 1992 when his father joined him and they performed for the very last time as father and son. (Gregory’s father died two months later). In 1992 and 1993 he won the Music Row Industry's Independent Artist of the Year award.^[4] Clinton later recorded two albums for Rock Bottom Records and one for Polydor Records that same year.

'If It Weren't For Country Music I'd Go Crazy his second album,^[2] with Step One Records in 1991, which included three tracks which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks Chart:

• 'If It Weren't For Country Music I'd Go Crazy' (written by Alan Syms) (No.26, 1991)
• 'One Shot At A Time' (written by Curt Ryle) (No.51, 1991)
• 'Satisfy Me And I'll Satisfy You' (written by Bill Dees) (No.53, 1991)

This album also included the following tracks:

• 'I'll Never Always Love You' (written by Mel Holt)
• 'Maybe I Should Have Been Listening' (written by Buzz Rabin)
• 'Heartbreak Highway' (written by Lonnie Wilson, Brent Mason and Don Pfrimmer)
• 'Blue Country Frame Of Mind' (written by Ray Pennington)
• 'House Of Diamonds' (written by Curt Ryle and Mike Baker)
• 'There's Never Been A Honky Tonk' (written by Mel Holt)
• 'Your Uncharted Mind' (written by Mel Holt)
• 'For Crying Out Loud' (written by David Brewer, Faye Brewer and Jerry Cupit)

Personnel involved included the following:

• Clinton Gregory: fiddle
• Roger Ball and Bobby All (died 19 March 2009): acoustic guitar
• Buddy Emmons: steel guitar
• Brent Mason: lead guitar
• Jerry Kroon and Gene Chrisman: drums
• Bunky Keels: acoustic piano
• Gary Prim: keyboards
• David Smith: bass
• Clinton Gregory, Dennis Wilson and Rhonda Hart: background vocals
• Ray Pennington: Producer
• Kevin McManus: Engineer

'Freeborn Man', arrived in December 1991,^[2] it included four tracks which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks Chart:

• 'Play, Ruby, Play' (written by Troy Seals and Tony Brown) (No.25, January 1992) / this track also reached No.20 on the RPM Country Tracks Chart in Canada
• 'She Takes The Sad Out Of Saturday Night' (written by Curt Ryle and B. Henderson) (No.50, 1992)
• 'Who Needs It' (written by J. Mehaffey and Brent Mason) (No.29, 1992)
• 'Look Who's Needing Who' (written by Clinton Gregory, Randy Hardison and Kevin Grantt) (No.65, 1993)

'Play Ruby Play' (written by Troy Seals and Tony Brown) was also a video hit on both Country Music Television (CMT) and The Nashville Network (TNN).

His album, 'Freeborn Man' (Step One Records, 1991), also included the following tracks:

• 'If A Broken Heart Could Kill' (written by Wayland Holyfield, Norro Wilson and Allen Henson)
• 'Freeborn Man' (written by Mark Lindsay and Keith Allison)
• 'Till This Ring Turns Green' (written by Mel Holt)
• 'The Game Is The Same' (written by Ray Pennington)
• 'She Can't Believe My Eyes (written by Roger Ball)
• 'Here's To You, Tears To Me' (written by Andrew Wilson Junior)
• 'The Jukebox Has A 45' (written by B. Charles and C. McGuyer)
• 'I Wish It Was That Easy Going Home', which was written by Red Lane and Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 - Thursday 15 July 2010)

Personnel involved included the following:

• Bobby All (died 19 March 2009) and Roger Ball: acoustic guitar
• Jimmy Capps, Brent Mason and Redd Volkaert: lead guitar
• Buddy Emmons: steel guitar
• Clinton Gregory: fiddle
• Bunky Keels: piano
• Jerry Kroon: drums
• Gary Prim: synthesizers
• David Smith: bass guitar
• Clinton Gregory, Jennifer O'Brian and Dennis Wilson: background vocals
• Ray Pennington: Producer
• Kevin McManus: Engineer

'Master Of Illusion', his fourth album was released in 1993,^[2] (Step One Records, 1993), it included two tracks which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks Chart:

• 'Standing On The Edge Of Love' (written by J.P. Pennington and Troy Seals) (No.52, 1993)
• 'Master Of Illusion' (written by Curt Ryle and Mel Tillis Junior) (No.59, 1993)

Other titles on the album:

• 'If I Were A Painting' (written by Skip Ewing, Donald R. Ewing II and Don Sampson)
• 'The Day The Boys Leave The Girls Alone' (written by Troy Seals)
• 'In The Arms Of Love', which was written by Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 - Saturday 25 March 2006) and Gene Price
• 'Somewhere Beyond Nowhere' (written by Mel Holt)
• 'Surrender' (written by Kent Blazy, Joe Diffie and Lonnie Wilson)
• 'Rocking The Country' (written by Tommy Barnes and Tony Stampley)
• 'Watermelon Time In Georgia', which was written by Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 - Sunday 3 March 2002)
• 'Ladies Choice' (written by Don Singleton and Rick Yancey)
• 'Wish You Were Here' (written by Bob Dellaposta)

Personnel involved included the following:

• Clinton Gregory: fiddle
• Buddy Emmons: steel guitar
• David Smith: bass
• Gary Prim: keyboard
• Jerry Kroon: drums
• Gregg Galbraith, Brent Mason and Kelly Back: electric guitar
• Roger Ball and Bobby All (died 19 March 2009): acoustic guitar
• Buddy Spicher and Rob Hajacos: fiddle
• Anthony LaMarchina: cello
• Lee Bradley and Clinton Gregory: background vocals

Members of Clinton Gregory's Band were also involved included the following:

• Jim Murphy: steel guitar
• Jimmy Dormire: electric guitar
• Marty Privette: bass
• Eddie Davidson: drums

• Ray Pennington: Producer
• Kevin McManus: Engineer

'For Christmas', marked the release of his fifth album^[2] (Step One Records, 1993), it included one track which was released as a single on the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks Chart, but it did not chart:

• 'Christmas In Virginia' (written by Clinton Gregory, Ray Pennington and Jack Robertson) (this track did not chart)

Which also included the following tracks:

• 'For Christmas' (written by Josh Logan)
• 'Home Pulls The Heartstrings' (written by Ray Pennington)
• 'Silver Bells' (written by Ray Evans and Jay Livingston)
• 'Christmas In Texas' (written by Mel Holt)
• 'Thank God For Christmas' (written by Mel Holt)
• 'In Bethlehem' (written by Roger Ball)
• 'Christmas Time's A-Coming' (written by Tex Logan)
• 'Pretty Paper' (written by Willie Nelson)
• 'I'll Be Home For Christmas' (written by Kim Gannon, Walter Kent and Buck Ram)

In 1992 and 1993, Clinton Gregory won the Music Row Industry's 'Independent Artist of the Year' Award.

Clinton Gregorywas released as his self-titled album^[2] with Polydor Records (Polydor Records, 1995), it included three tracks which were released as singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks Chart:

• 'The Gulf And The Shell' (written by DeWayne Blackwell and Cal Sweat) / this track did not chart when released as a single in 1994
• 'You Didn't Miss A Thing' (written by Bill Rice and Sharon Rice) (No.68, 1995)
• 'A-11', which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 - Thursday 15 July 2010) / this track did not chart when released as a single in 1995

The album also included the following tracks:

• 'Today's Just Not Your Day' (written by Linda Buell and Jody Emerson)
• 'No Relief In Sight' (written by Rory Bourke, Gene Dobbins and Johnny Wilson)
• 'Three Shorts And A Long' (written by Jim Martin and Tony Toliver)
• 'Don't Our Love Look Natural', which was written by Don Cook and Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 - Sunday 3 March 2002)
• 'I've Got A Double' (written by Ken Forsythe and Danny Steagall)
• 'Sweet Healing' (written by Gene Pistilli and Anthony Smith)
• 'I Can't Take A Full Moon On An Empty Heart' (written by Bill Anderson, Jeanne Chennault and Karen Staley)
• 'Hacksaw' (written by Clinton Gregory)

Six brief years after the newcomer’s chart and tour successes skyrocketed, Gregory’s life began to unravel and the foundation he had built came crashing down. Trials and tribulations appeared around every corner: the loss of his record deal, steadily declining tour dates and heart-breaking personal difficulties including a divorce and the separation from his two little girls, Haley and Ali. The year 1996 would begin what Gregory refers to as the “lost years” where he purposely became “hard to find;” separating himself from friends, family and faith, his journey took him down a long dark road as he searched for direction, purpose and meaning—in all the wrong places.

Seeing gray, day after day, Gregory revisited his direction to rely on his faith in God for everyday necessities, while life became his muse, hope fed his hunger and music his healer. His “lost years” led Gregory through scenes that could be scripted in dramatic and tragic screenplays and Hollywood films. He crossed paths with gangs, shook hands with dope dealers and walked away from punks with guns. Along the way, God also put “good” before him; Clinton befriended the great Hank Cochran who he says was his oak and taught him the most valuable thing in life and music – how to listen.

Retrieved from the “lost and found” in 2005, Gregory’s talents were sought out by one of Rock and Roll’s greatest songwriters and performers. The legendary Neil Young extended the personal invitation to Clinton to appear on two projects in the works; Gregory is featured on Young’s CD, Prairie Wind, and he played fiddle and sang back-up vocals on the guitar hero’s autobiographical film Neil Young: Heart of Gold. The album debuted on the Billboard Album 200 Chart at No. 11 (charting for 27 consecutive weeks), was recognized as a “Top 100 Editor’s Picks of 2005” on Amazon and nominated for two Grammy awards including “Best Rock Album Of The Year.” The Neil Young: Heart of Gold film, documenting Young’s decorated history, spotlights the tracks as well as other selections. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was released to theaters in February 2006.

In 2007,^[2] Gregory was hired as a new band member for the Gene Watson Farewell Party Band and on Friday July 27, 2007 he played fiddle, acoustic guitar, and provided background vocals alongside Joe Eddie Gough(piano), Staley Rogers (bass guitar), Corky Owens (steel guitar), Steve Anderson (guitar) and Todd Hines (drums) at The Georgia Mountain Fair in Hiawassee, Georgia. The group went on to perform together until August 2008.

Thanks to a Godsend relationship formed with Hank Cochran, Young and current producer, Jamie Creasy made for an awakening. With a brand new understanding of music and the power of lyrics, the support and belief of his friends, and a new lease on life, Gregory put pen to paper and began to develop his own songwriting craft—determined to re-enter the world of entertainment as a multi-faceted artist: a world-class fiddle player, singer, songwriter and performer worth hearing.

Gregory’s new album,^[5] Too Much Ain't Much, co-produced by Gregory and Creasy of Melody Roundup Music,^[1] opens the door to the place he calls “home” revealing his sense of humor, his vision and his deeply rooted passion for raw and real traditional country music.

The album Too Much Ain't Enough included the title tracks:

• 'Too Country For Nashville' (written by Tommy Barnes and Wild Bill Emerson)
• 'Bridges' (written by Gary Hannan and Marty Brown)
• 'You Play Like Chet' (written by Paula Jo Taylor, Larry Williams and Gerald Smith)
• 'Has Love Taken It's Toll' (written by Clinton Gregory)
• 'It Took Every Tear' (written by Jimmy Rinehart and Craig Martin)
• 'Too Much Ain't Enough' (written by Tony Ramey, Trey Matthews and Earl Clark)
• 'If That Ain't Jones' (written by Buck Moore and Gerald Smith)
• 'She Did' (written by Craig Martin)
• 'Chase Away The Lonely' (written by Jerry Salley and Amanda Martin)
• 'You Smile' (written by Pebe Sebert and Gerald Smith)
• 'Crucifixion' (written by Clinton Gregory)
• 'The New' (written by Johnny Holland)

The album bore 4 single releases with 'Too Much Ain't Enough', 'Bridges', 'She Did', and 'You Smile'.

After a 17-year departure from the spotlight as a performer and sought-after fiddle player, both in-studio and on stage, the project is the product of humility, tragedy and light.

In Spring 2013, The Clinton Gregory Bluegrass Band ^[1][6] had its debut release entitled Roots of My Raising.^[7] Clinton Gregory organically comes full circle to take the stage in the Bluegrass arena. Produced by Jamie Creasy and IBMA multi award winning banjoist/producer Scott Vestal, who has worked alongside Sam Bush, Tim O'Brien, Jim Lauderdale, Ralph Stanley, Ricky Skaggs, and Jerry Douglas, the album is a “life - like” reflection of the sounds and songs that were both the foundation and the springboard to launch Clinton Gregory as a multi-talented career entertainer as a vocalist, musician, instrumentalist and performer.

The handpicked collection of 12 acoustic tunes are a personalized translation of some of Bluegrass and country music’s classics ^[6] with Gregory’s vocals, distinct in character, blending seamlessly in timeless arrangements such as “Sittin’ On Top Of The World,” “How Mountain Girls Can Love” and “Somehow Tonight.” As an honorable nod to the forefathers, Gregory tips his hat to Bill Monroe, The Stanley Brothers and Flatt & Scruggs while the band showcases “newgrass” interpretations of Merle Haggard, Mel Tillis and Lefty Frizzell favorites.

In the company of traditional standards, Gregory displays his fiddle wizardry in the age - old rosin and bow tune “Katy Hill.” The conclusion of the project presents one of the most exceptional moments—with just four and a - half minutes remaining, Gregory performs the faithful and passionate original composition “Crucifixion,” penned by the bandleader himself.“This Bluegrass album has been 40 years in the making,” said Clinton Gregory.

“The project came to life when we spent a weekend up at a cabin; we played until our fingers couldn’t play anymore. Something really rare happened and we knew we needed to get into the studio. In fact, the songs on the record are the very same songs from those inspiring evenings at the cabin.”

The Clinton Gregory Bluegrass Band ^[6] is composed of accomplished players who have lent their talents to number of famed projects:

Harold Roper banjo and baritone; Doug Flowers/mandolin and tenor(has appeared with Alison Krauss, Earl Scruggs, Little Roy Lewis and Betty Fisher); Scott Terry/bass and harmonica with Clinton Gregory on fiddle and lead vocals. In a time - honored recording and production style, Scott Vestal captured the sound “live” as each musician called and answered to one another’s instrumentation in real time.

Gregory is currently signed with Melody Roundup Music.^[1][5]

Discography

Albums

Title	Album details
Music 'n Me	Release date: 1990 Label: Step One Records
If It Weren't For Country Music I'd Go Crazy	Release date: 1991 Label: Step One Records
Freeborn Man	Release date: December 1991 Label: Step One Records
Master of Illusion	Release date: June 21, 1993 Label: Step One Records
For Christmas	Release date: August 7, 1993 Label: Step One Records
Clinton Gregory	Release date: January 17, 1995 Label: Polydor Records
Play, Ruby, Play	Release date: July 28, 2000 Label: Step One Records
I'm Back	Release date: January 2010 Label: Out Of The Box Records
Too Much Ain't Enough	Release date: April 16, 2012 Label: Melody Roundup Music
Roots of My Raising	Release date: May 13, 2013 Label: Melody Roundup Music

Singles

Year	Single	Peak chart positions		Album
		US Country	CAN Country
1990	"Rockin' the Country"	—	—	N/A
	"Nobody's Darlin'"	—	—	Music 'n Me
	"Made for Lovin' You"	—	—
	"She Put the Music in Me"	—	—
1991	"Couldn't Love Have Picked a Better Place to Die"	64	—
	"(If It Weren't for Country Music) I'd Go Crazy"	26	—	If It Weren't For Country Music I'd Go Crazy
	"One Shot at a Time"	51	51
	"Satisfy Me and I'll Satisfy You"	53	41
1992	"Play, Ruby, Play"	25	20	Freeborn Man
	"She Takes the Sad Out of Saturday Night"	50	74
	"Who Needs It"	29	39
1993	"Look Who's Needin' Who"	65	—
	"Standing on the Edge of Love"	52	—	Master of Illusion
	"Master of Illusion"	59	—
1994	"The Gulf and the Shell"	—	—	Clinton Gregory
1995	"You Didn't Miss a Thing"	68	85
	"A-11"	—	—
	"Christmas in Virginia"	—	—	For Christmas
2012	"Bridges"	—	—	Too Much Ain't Enough
	"She Did"	—	—
2013	"Too Much Ain't Enough"	—	—
	"You Smile"	—	—
2014	"Some Real Good People" (with Collin Raye)	—	—	TBD
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Music videos

Year	Video	Director
1991	"(If It Weren't for Country Music) I'd Go Crazy"[8]	Kenny Kiper
1992	"Play, Ruby, Play"[9]	Stan Moore
	"Who Needs It"[10]	Greg Crutcher
1993	"Look Who's Needin' Who"[11]
	"Standing on the Edge of Love"[12]
	"Master of Illusion"[13]
1994	"The Gulf and the Shell"[14]	Bill Young
1995	"You Didn't Miss a Thing"[15]	Bill Young/Jim Barham
	"A-11"
2006	"Writing on the Wall"	Peter Lippman
2012	"She Did"	P. J. Schenkel
2013	"Too Much Ain't Enough"	Brett Bortle

References

External links

• Official Website
• Official Facebook

Authority control VIAF: 50872966

Persondata
Name	Gregory, Clinton
Alternative names
Short description	American musician
Date of birth	March 1, 1964
Place of birth
Date of death
Place of death