Andy Grammer

Andy Grammer
Grammer performing in 2023
Born	Andrew Charles Grammer (1983-12-03) December 3, 1983 (age 41) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupations	Singer songwriter record producer
Years active	2007–present
Spouse	Aijia Guttman ​ (m. 2012)​
Children	2
Musical career
Genres	Pop rock soul pop country pop
Instruments	Vocals guitar piano trumpet
Labels	S-Curve, Mushroom Music Publishing
Website	andygrammer.com

Andrew Charles Grammer (born December 3, 1983)^[1][2] is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He has been signed to Mushroom Music Publishing since March 2022.

His debut album, Andy Grammer, was released in 2011^[3] and spawned the singles "Keep Your Head Up" and "Fine by Me". His second album Magazines or Novels was released in 2014, and featured "Honey, I'm Good" which is his most successful song to date, peaking at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. This single has been certified triple-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and was ranked one of the ten best-selling songs of 2015 by Nielsen SoundScan.^[4] The Magazines or Novels album also featured the certified gold single "Good to Be Alive (Hallelujah)".^[5]

Musical career

Grammer performing in Charlotte, North Carolina, June 2012

Grammer started as a busker on the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica.^[6] He was discovered by his manager Ben Singer in July 2009 and signed with S-Curve Records in April 2010.^[7] Grammer's popular songs include: "Honey, I'm Good.", "Keep Your Head Up", "Fine by Me", "Fresh Eyes", "Good to Be Alive (Hallelujah)", and "Don't Give Up on Me".

His debut video "Keep Your Head Up", which featured actor Rainn Wilson,^[6][8] was an iTunes Video of the Week in 2010, and won MTV's "O Music Awards" for the most innovative video on April 25, 2011.^[9] He performed the song on The Rachael Ray Show on November 17, 2010.^[10] It has since debuted at No. 94 on the Billboard Hot 100^[11] Grammer's debut album sales for the first week earned him the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums Chart.^[12] He opened for Plain White T's for the second leg of their "Wonders of the Younger" tour in the spring of 2011.^[13] In January 2011, he was named an "Artist to Watch" by Billboard magazine.^[14] He performed at SXSW 2011, playing BMI's Acoustic Brunch,^[15] where he was one of the artists contributing to a recording produced by Hanson to benefit the victims of the 2011 Japan earthquake.^[16]

Grammer credits his music influences to three genres of music: guitar players like Jason Mraz, John Mayer and Jack Johnson; modern bands like Coldplay, The Fray, and OneRepublic; and hip-hop vocalists like Common, Lauryn Hill, Jay-Z, and Kanye West.^[7]

2011–2013: Andy Grammer

His debut album, Andy Grammer, was released on June 14, 2011, on S-Curve Records.^{[citation needed]} The self-titled album was produced by Matt Wallace from Maroon 5, Matt Radosevich, Dave Katz, and Sam Hollander of Gym Class Heroes.^[17]

On the new album, Grammer said:

My ultimate goal is to try to be real. It just so happens that I'm usually more happy than sad when I'm writing. And in general I think that life is pretty great, and it's cool to be here, so that comes through in my music. I don't have a dismal outlook, but I don't aim to make positive music. It's just what I am.^[3]

He joined Natasha Bedingfield on her Less is More Tour, which began June 2011, and Colbie Caillat on her US and Canada tour, which began August 2011.^[18][19] The Grammy Museum, in Los Angeles, featured him in the first installment of its homegrown local artist series starting in May 2011.^[20]

2014–2016: Magazines or Novels

On March 25, 2014, he debuted "Back Home", the lead single from his second album, Magazines or Novels. The song, co-written with Ryan Met from the group AJR, was released to iTunes on April 8, 2014. The album was released August 5, 2014.^[21]

On November 11, 2014, he released his biggest single to date, "Honey, I'm Good." which peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100, and was certified triple-platinum by the RIAA.

On August 31, 2015, he was announced as one of the celebrities who will compete on the 21st season of Dancing with the Stars.^[22] He was paired with professional dancer Peta Murgatroyd until an ankle injury forced her to withdraw.^[23] His new partner was Allison Holker.^[24] Grammer and Holker were eliminated on Week 8 of competition and finished in 7th place.^[25]

In addition to his stint on the show, he released a new single "Good to Be Alive (Hallelujah)" on August 24, which was another gold-certified hit for him, and was included on a re-issued deluxe version of his Magazines or Novels album.

On October 27, 2015, he performed the National Anthem prior to the start of the opening game of the World Series between the Kansas City Royals and the New York Mets at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.^[26] In January 2016, he performed an a cappella version of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the Denver Broncos–New England Patriots AFC Championship Game in Denver.^[27][28]

2016–present: The Good Parts, Naive, and Monster

On July 29, 2016, Grammer released a new single titled "Fresh Eyes", which was another platinum hit for him that reach #19 on the Spotify Global Viral 50 Chart.^[29]

On June 9, 2017, Grammer released his new single featuring LunchMoney Lewis titled "Give Love". Grammer also wrote and performed the song "A Friend Like You" for the animated film Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie.^[30]

The third single from his album The Good Parts, titled "Smoke Clears", was released on November 3, 2017. The album was released on December 1, 2017.^[31]

On February 21, 2019, Grammer released his new single, "Don't Give Up On Me", from the soundtrack of the film Five Feet Apart.^[32] It is also the lead single from his fourth studio album, Naive, which was released on July 26, 2019.

In March 2022, Grammer announced he had signed with Mushroom Publishing.^[33]

In 2024, he announced his upcoming fifth studio album, his first in nearly five years, titled Monster, which was released on October 4, 2024.^[34]

Personal life

Andrew Charles Grammer was born in Los Angeles, the son of Kathryn Willoughby^[35] and recording artist Robert Crane "Red" Grammer.^[36][37] He is of German and English descent. He grew up in Chester, New York and graduated from Monroe-Woodbury High School.^[38] As a child, he learned to play the trumpet and later the guitar and piano.^[38] He began writing songs at 15.^[39] At 20, he left Binghamton University in Vestal, New York, and returned to Los Angeles,^[40] where he currently resides.^[41] In 2007, he graduated from California State University, Northridge, with a B.A. in music industry studies.^[42]

While at college, Grammer met Aijia Guttman, whom he would marry in July 2012 in Fullerton, California. He and Aijia have two daughters: Louisiana K Grammer (b. July 28, 2017)^[43] and Israel Blue Grammer (b. April 3, 2020).^[44]

Grammer and Aijia adhere to the Baháʼí Faith.^[45] He meditates, and memorizes and recites Baháʼí prayers. Grammer finds that being outside and going on walks, hikes, or runs has many mental health benefits. When he is stressed, he visualizes zooming out and seeing himself as a soul in the Baháʼí context.^[46]

Discography

Further information: Andy Grammer discography

• Andy Grammer (2011)
• Magazines or Novels (2014)
• The Good Parts (2017)
• Naive (2019)
• Monster (2024)

Filmography

Grammer made a guest appearance on the episode "SPARF-a-Rooney" of the Disney Channel series Liv and Maddie, performing the song "Honey, I'm Good."^[47][48]

Songwriting credits

Grammer also co-wrote Galantis's single, "Bones" (featuring OneRepublic).^{[citation needed]}

References

1. Fuller, Bonnie (2016). "Andy Grammer". Hollywood Life. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
2. "Californiabirthindex.org". Retrieved July 26, 2017.
3. Rome, Emily (June 13, 2011). "How Andy Grammer Graduated from Street Busker to the Majors". HollywoodReporter.com. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
4. "101.9 THE MIX LIVE Stream | Chicago". 101.9 THE MIX LIVE Stream | Chicago.
5. "US: Andy Grammer announces new album and single". BMG. November 3, 2017.
6. Tacopino, Joe (March 8, 2011). "Andy Grammer Goes From Busker to Pop Phenom, With Rainn Wilson's Help". Spinner. Archived from the original on September 16, 2012. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
7. Lopez, Korina (June 13, 2011). "On the Verge: Andy Grammer". USA Today. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
8. Bruno, Antony (October 25, 2010). "Andy Grammer, Rainn Wilson Create Viewer-Interactive Video". Billboard.com. Billboard. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
9. "Andy Grammer, Rainn Wilson Create Viewer-Interactive Video". Billboard. October 25, 2010.
10. "Andy Grammer Performance". RachaelRayShow.com. KWP Studios Inc. November 17, 2010. Archived from the original on November 10, 2012. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
11. Trust, Gary (June 8, 2011). "Adele's Still 'Deep' Atop Hot 100, Coldplay Makes a Splash". Billboard.com. Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2013.
12. "Heatseekers Albums - 2011 Archive". Billboard Magazine. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
13. Fuoco-Karasinski, Christina (March 22, 2011). "Plain White T's add more "Wonders of the Younger" dates". SoundSpike.com. SoundSpike Media. Retrieved May 3, 2013.
14. "Andy Grammer concert at Bay". DailyPress.net. Daily Press (Michigan). February 21, 2011. Retrieved May 3, 2013.
15. Kennedy, Drew (March 11, 2011). "SXSW Ready: Andy Grammer". BMI.com. Broadcast Music Inc. Retrieved May 3, 2013.
16. Chancellor, Jennifer (March 23, 2011). "Hanson to release digital album for Japan quake victims". TulsaWorld.com. Tulsa World. Archived from the original on June 30, 2013. Retrieved May 3, 2013.
17. Hrabkovska, Silvia (September 24, 2015). "50 facts about Andy Grammer: he often joined his dad on-stage to sing, promoting his fierce ambition to succeed". boombeats.com. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
18. "NATASHA BEDINGFIELD ANNOUNCES "LESS IS MORE" SUMMER TOUR PRESENTED BY FRESCHETTA®" (Press release). Sony Music Entertainment. April 19, 2011. Archived from the original on May 22, 2011. Retrieved May 7, 2011.
19. "Andy Grammer on tour with Colbie Caillat". andygrammer.com. August 8, 2011. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
20. Lewis, Andy (May 17, 2011). "Grammy Museum to launch Homegrown series spotlighting L.A.-area music on May 31 with Andy Grammer* (Updated)". Latimesblogs.latimes.com. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
21. "Andy Grammer Unveils New Feel-Good Single 'Back Home': Listen". Ryanseacrest.com. March 25, 2014. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
22. "On Air/Ryan Seacrest Twitter". Twitter. August 31, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
23. Gomez, Patrick (August 31, 2015). "Dancing with the Stars' Peta Murgatroyd Sidelined for Season 21 Due to Injury". People. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
24. "Dancing with the Stars Season 21 Cast Announcement". ABC. September 2, 2015. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
25. "'Dancing with the Stars' Recap: Immunity and the Dance-Offs". buddytv.com. November 2, 2015. Retrieved November 2, 2015.
26. "Andy Grammer". Billboard.
27. Andy Grammer's national anthem wasn't quite world class Timothy Finn. Kansas City Star. October 28, 2015. Retrieved March 9, 2016
28. Best & Worst from Patriots' loss to Broncos Dan Ventura. Boston Herald. March 9, 2016. Retrieved March 9, 2016
29. "The Spotify & Apple Music tracker". Spot On Track. August 4, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
30. Tom, Lauren (May 12, 2017). "Captain Underpants' Movie Scores Epic Soundtrack With 'Weird Al', Lil Yachty & More". Billboard. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
31. "Andy Grammer's New Album 'The Good Parts': Stories Behind Songs". Billboard. December 1, 2017.
32. "Five Feet Apart' Movie Soundtrack Andy Grammer - Don't Give Up On Me". February 21, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2019 – via YouTube.
33. "Andy Grammar Signs With Mushroom Music Publishing". The Music Network. March 29, 2022. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
34. @andygrammer (August 16, 2024). "MY NEW ALBUM MONSTER IS COMING OCTOBER 4TH #newmusic #andygrammer #songwriter Pre-save here: lnk.to/monster-ag" (Tweet). Retrieved October 3, 2024 – via Twitter.
35. "Andy Grammer Launches Campaign for Women's Equality". Broadwayworld.com. May 10, 2013. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
36. Smith, Haley (December 2, 2010). "Performer Andy Grammer Brings Hollywood to TJC". MyTJCNews.com. Archived from the original on December 12, 2013. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
37. "Rolling along, singing a song. By Robert Crane Grammer (Red Grammer) & Kathryn Willoughby Grammer". Copyrightencyclopedia.com. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
38. "Andy Grammer: 20 Things You Didn't Know..." 96.5 TIC FM. March 27, 2013. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
39. Herman, Emily (February 21, 2012). seacrest foundation.org/2012/02/21/andy-grammer-visits-children's-hospital-of-philadelphia/ "Andy Grammer Visits Children's Hospital Of Philadelphia!". Ryan Seacrest Foundation.org. Retrieved December 12, 2013. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
40. Morelli, Christina (November 19, 2009). "Andy Grammer: Sincere, Soulful, and All Smiles". NYCArtScene.com. NYC Art Scene. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
41. Demchak, Erin (February 24, 2011). "Andy Grammer Chats With Starpulse Before His Show At The Troubadour". Starpulse.com. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
42. "Andy Grammer Keeps His Head Up". Grammy.com. June 30, 2011. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
43. "Honey, He's Good! Andy Grammer and Wife Aijia Welcome Daughter Louisiana K - See Her First Photo". Peoplemag. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
44. "Family of Four! Andy Grammer and Wife Aijia Welcome Daughter Israel Blue". Peoplemag. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
45. Episode 6: Andy Grammer & Aijia, July 31, 2016, retrieved August 15, 2022
46. "I'm singer/songwriter Andy Grammer, and here's a piece of my mind". IDONTMIND. January 7, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
47. "Liv & Maddie Video – Liv and Maddie Guest Star – Andy Grammer". Disney Channel. The Walt Disney Company. Retrieved November 12, 2017.
48. ""Liv and Maddie" SPARF-A-Rooney (TV Episode 2015)". IMDb. Retrieved November 12, 2017.

^[1]

External links

• Official website
• Andy Grammer at IMDb

1. "Andy Grammer Says Becoming a Dad Has 'Forced' Him to 'Really Look at Myself': It's 'Heavy'". PEOPLE.com.