Josh Gracin has a diverse and impressive set of skills. The most obvious is the voice that captured the attention of millions of American Idol fans during his season two run on what has become an American cultural phenomenon.
His all-American good looks, earnest charm and passionate vocal style earned him a devoted legion of fans, but beyond the stage, Gracin possesses a poet’s heart and an ex-Marine’s discipline and work ethic. It’s that potent combination of talent and tenacity that set Gracin apart and is fueling the newest chapter in his career.
“I want to sing. I want to write. I want to produce. I want to put myself on the chopping block,” says Gracin, who has always had an independent streak and a creative maverick spirit that has served him well. As a child, Gracin listened to and sang Rhythm & Blues, Motown and oldies. “There’s not another genre that better reflects situations in my life,” he says.
A Michigan native who grew up listening to country and R&B music, Gracin auditioned for American Idol (placing fourth on season two) while serving in the Marine Corps. Following his run on American Idol and the completion of his military service, he released his self-titled debut album in June 2004. The album was RIAA-certified gold and spawned three top five singles. In 2008, Gracin released his highly anticipated sophomore effort, We Weren’t Crazy.
In addition, Gracin has lent his vocals to The Disney Songbook on “When I See An Elephant Fly” with Jim Brickman and the soundtrack to Herbie: Fully Loaded on “Working for the Weekend.”
Gracin’s newest project has a very fresh, unique sound. “We aimed to paint that picture and give it a feel that everything is in the room with you,” he says of the album. “The band was able to live with the songs and given the artistic freedom to bring in their interpretation to the music.”
All songs on the album are identifiable slices of life that listeners can readily embrace, including family life, lost love and romance. Gracin’s favorite out of the collection is the poignant ballad “Enough.” “Writing this song felt like a turning point artistically. I was better able to take what was going on in my head and get it onto paper in a way I feel is relatable to so many.”
This new album shows the growth of Josh Gracin as a writer, producer and artist. From the early days of growing up in Michigan to now being a father of four, Gracin has taken everything and poured it all into REDEMPTION. The maturity in Gracin’s work is undeniable and people will hear the difference.