Ricky Lynn Gregg

Ricky Lynn Gregg
Born (1959-08-22) August 22, 1959 (age 65)
OriginHenderson, Texas, United States
GenresCountry
OccupationSinger-songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals
Acoustic guitar
Electric guitar
Harmonica
Piano[1]
Years active1978–present
LabelsLiberty
Rowe Music Group
Websitehttp://rickylynngregg.com

Ricky Lynn Gregg (born August 22, 1959) is a country music artist of Native American descent.[2] Active between the years of 1992 and 2001, he has recorded three studio albums: two on Capitol/Liberty Records (1992's Ricky Lynn Gregg and 1994's Get a Little Closer) and one on Rowe Music Group (2001's Careful What You Wish For). His first two albums produced three hit singles on the Billboard country music charts, including the No. 36-peaking "If I Had a Cheatin' Heart".

Musical career

Ricky Lynn Gregg was raised in Longview, Texas, and began singing in the church at a very early age. His earliest influences were gospel and country. As a teenager in school Gregg was influenced by rock & roll and formed the "Ricky Lynn Gregg Project" playing in local venues around his hometown. In 1978 Gregg moved to Ft Worth, Texas and began performing as guitarist and singer for a band known as "Savvy" with their debut album "Made In Texas" being released in 1982.[3] Gregg was also a member of Head East between 1984 and 1987. By 1992, Gregg was performing as a solo singer; the same year, he signed to Liberty Records and released his self titled debut album.[1] The album produced a No. 34 single in "If I Had a Cheatin' Heart", a cover of a Mel Street song.[1][2] Following it were "Can You Feel It" and "Three Nickels and a Dime". In 1993, Billboard ranked him at No. 4 on their list of Top New Country Artists of the Year.[1]

A second album, titled Get a Little Closer, was released on Liberty in 1994, with its title track being the only single. One year later, Gregg's manager, Jimmy Bowen, retired due to thyroid cancer. In 1997, Gregg found another manager, named Eddie Rhines, who helped the singer rebuild his fan base.[1] By 2001, his third album, titled Careful What You Wish For, was released on the then-newly established independent label Rowe Music Group (RMG).[1]

Gregg has also begun a charity called Trail of Hope, which provides clothing for underprivileged Cherokee, Choctaw and Sioux Indians.[1]

Discography

Albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions
US Country US US Heat
Ricky Lynn Gregg 37 190 9
Get a Little Closer
  • Release date: July 26, 1994
  • Label: Liberty Records
Careful What You Wish For
  • Release date: April 17, 2001
  • Label: Row Music Group
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Singles

Year Single Peak chart positions Album
US Country US Bubbling CAN Country
1993 "If I Had a Cheatin' Heart" 36 9 42 Ricky Lynn Gregg
"Can You Feel It" 58 79
"Three Nickels and a Dime"
1994 "No Place Left to Go"
"Get a Little Closer" 73 Get a Little Closer
"After the Fire Is Gone"
1995 "To Find Where I Belong"
"Santa Claus is Coming to Town" single only
2001 "Be Careful What You Wish For" Careful What You Wish For
2002 "I Wanna Be Loved by You"
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Music videos

Year Video Director
1993 "If I Had a Cheatin' Heart" Marc Ball
"Can You Feel It" Steve Boyle
"Three Nickels and a Dime"
1994 "Get a Little Closer"[4] Michael Merriman
"After the Fire Is Gone"
1995 "To Find Where I Belong"
2001 "Be Careful What You Wish For" Tom Bevins
2002 "I Wanna Be Loved by You" Peter Lippman

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Seida, Linda. "allmusic ((( Ricky Lynn Gregg > Biography )))". Allmusic. Retrieved August 23, 2007.
  2. ^ a b "Ricky Lynn Gregg biography". Oldies.com. Retrieved August 23, 2007.
  3. ^ "Savvy's New Album Release". eagleaudiorecording.com. April 4, 1982. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  4. ^ "CMT : Videos : Ricky Lynn Gregg : Get A Little Closer". Country Music Television. Retrieved October 14, 2011.[dead link]