Grace Potter
Potter in 2019
Potter in 2019
Background information
Birth nameGrace Evelyn Potter
Born (1983-06-20) June 20, 1983
Waitsfield, Vermont
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer-songwriter
  • musician
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • keyboards
  • guitar
Years active2002–present
LabelsFantasy
Formerly ofGrace Potter and the Nocturnals
Websitegracepotter.com
Grace Potter in concert in 2007

Grace Evelyn Potter (born June 20, 1983) is an American singer-songwriter and musician.[1] She has released five solo albums: Red Shoe Rebel (2002), Original Soul (2004), Midnight (2015), Daylight (2019), and Mother Road (2023). She has also released four studio albums with Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, a band she formed in 2002, which disbanded in 2015 upon her divorce from her bandmate: Nothing but the Water (2005), This Is Somewhere (2007), Grace Potter and the Nocturnals (2010), and The Lion the Beast the Beat (2012).[2]

Early life

Potter was born on June 20, 1983, in Waitsfield, Vermont. Both of her parents, Peggy and Sparky Potter, were involved in professional woodworking; her mother was also a piano teacher. Her older sister, Charlotte Potter, is an artist who works with glass.[3] She was exposed to the arts at a very young age[3] and was encouraged by her parents to work with her hands.[4] Potter grew up legally blind in one eye and got bad grades. She was expelled from bands because she could not read music.[5]

In 1999, while attending Harwood Union High School, Potter was chosen to attend the three-week Governor's Institute on the Arts session at Castleton University. There, she learned from artists such as poet Verandah Porche.[3]

She attended to St. Lawrence University, but dropped out after her sophomore year to pursue a career in music.[1]

Music

Beginnings and Grace Potter and the Nocturnals (2002-2015)

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals in 2009

While in college, Potter met Matt Burr, a drummer and her future husband, who convinced her to form a band. They started playing at the Java Barn. The band could only find space to rehearse at 2AM, inspiring the band name, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. They would stay up all night rehearsing and then go to class.[6] The band included Scott Tournet on guitars (including slide guitar) and harmonica), drummer Matthew Burr, Michael Libramento on bass guitar and keyboards, and Benny Yurco on electric guitar and vocals. Bryan Dondero played bass guitar, upright bass, and mandolin with the group until his departure in early 2009.

In 2002, she released her first album, Red Shoe Rebel. Her second album, Original Soul followed in 2004.[7]

The group independently recorded and released one album, Nothing but the Water in 2005 with sound engineer Lane Gibson, who recorded and mastered Original Soul (2004). The band signed a deal with Hollywood Records in December 2005 and re-released Nothing but the Water in May 2006.

In 2005, the band was nominated in two categories at the Boston Music Awards, for "Best Local Female Artist" and also for "Best New Local Act".

In 2006, the band won the Jammy Award for "Best New Groove". At the Boston Music Awards, the band was nominated for Album of the Year (major) for the re-release of Nothing but the Water and Potter was nominated for Vocalist of the Year.[8]

The group released its second album, This Is Somewhere, on August 7, 2007, on Hollywood Records and was the opening act for Gov't Mule on its October and November North American tour.[9][3]

In August 2007, the band made appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Good Morning America, and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.

In June 2008, the band was the opening act for the Dave Matthews Band as well as for The Black Crowes.

In 2010, the band's cover version of Jefferson Airplane's song "White Rabbit" was included on Almost Alice, the companion soundtrack for Tim Burton's feature film Alice in Wonderland.

The group released their third studio recording, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, in June 2010. It included the song "Paris (Ooh La La)". On the album, Catherine Popper replaced Libramento on bass.

In 2011, Potter earned her first Grammy nomination for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for "You and Tequila" with Kenny Chesney.[10][11][12]

In July 2011, Potter was a guest on Chelsea Handler's show Chelsea Lately.

In July 2012, she joined The Flaming Lips during their show at The Lyric in Oxford, Mississippi, which was part of their attempt to break the Guinness World Record for Most Concerts Played in different cities in a 24-hour period.[13][14] That same year, Potter and The Flaming Lips collaborated on a recording of "My Mechanical Friend", which she also wrote, for the companion soundtrack to Disney and Tim Burton's film Frankenweenie.[15] In 2014, she contributed to their cover of The Beatles' "Good Morning Good Morning" for their With a Little Help from My Fwends album.

Potter made guest appearances on The Chew in November 2012 and December 2015.[16][17]

Solo career

Potter performing in 2015

After Potter's divorce from Burr, the band disbanded.[18]

In June 2015, Potter was the opening act for the Rolling Stones during the Zip Code Tour, and joined them onstage to perform "Gimme Shelter".

Potter's next solo album, Midnight, was released in August 2015 on Hollywood Records, produced by Eric Valentine. Several notable artists contributed to the album: Rayland Baxter, Audra Mae, Noelle Scaggs of Fitz and the Tantrums, Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips, and Nick Oliveri of Queens of the Stone Age.[19]

In September 2015, Potter performed The Star-Spangled Banner during the New England Patriots' season opener.[20]

In 2016, her collaboration on the song "Wild Child" on Kenny Chesney's album The Big Revival garnered award nominations from the Academy of Country Music, CMT Music, and the Country Music Association.[21][22][23][24]

Potter was the musical guest on the episode of Conan that aired on January 25, 2016.[25]

Potter in 2018

Daylight, produced by Eric Valentine, was released in October 2019 on Fantasy Records.[26] It features guest musicians Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig of Lucius, and Benmont Tench.[26]

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Potter launched weekly streaming media performances from her home in California and her childhood home in Vermont and performed a special episode on the set of the original Star Trek.[27]

Potter's fourth solo album, Mother Road, was released in August 2023 on Fantasy Records.[5]

Artistry

On guitars, Potter primarily plays the Gibson Flying V; however, she also plays classical guitars with nylon strings.[5] On keys, she plays the Hammond organ.[28] Her voice has been described as soulful and bluesy and she has been compared to Bonnie Raitt and Janis Joplin.[29] She has also been described as a "grittier Patty Griffin".[28]

Tracks used in film and television

Potter's song "Apologies", was used in an episode of One Tree Hill; Potter also made a cameo appearance as a street performer in the episode. "Apologies" was also featured on All My Children, Kyle XY, and Brothers & Sisters.

The song "Falling or Flying" was featured on ER and Grey's Anatomy and appeared on Volume 3 of the latter's soundtrack.

In 2010, Potter re-recorded "Something That I Want" with altered lyrics for the end credits to Disney's animated feature Tangled.

In December 2011, Potter was the voice of Carol in Disney's Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice, for which she also wrote and recorded "Naughty, Naughty Children (Better Start Actin' Nice)."

In 2011, the song "Paris (Ooh la la)" was featured in the Season 2 promo for the TNT television series Rizzoli & Isles.

In 2012, the song "Nothing but the Water" was used in trailers for the short-lived 2012 ABC drama Last Resort.

Potter's version of the Stealer's Wheel song "Stuck in the Middle with You" was used as the theme song for the Netflix series Grace and Frankie (2015–2020).[30]

In June 2017, her song "Instigators" was featured in the video game Dirt 4.[31]

In 2019, the song "The Lion the Beast the Beat" was featured in the season 2 episode of Cloak & Dagger titled "Vikingtown Sound".

Personal life

Potter married bandmate Matt Burr on May 11, 2013.[32] They divorced in 2015, at which time the Nocturnals disbanded.[18]

Potter married her current husband,[33] record producer Eric Valentine, in 2017. They have one son, Sagan Potter Valentine (born January 12, 2018).[34]

Potter identifies as bisexual.[35]

Potter lives in Topanga, California. She previously lived in Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles, where she owned a 1920s Spanish bungalow that she refurbished; she sold the house in 2017.[4]

Potter has supported and fundraised for the Alzheimer's Association in honor of her paternal grandfather's battle with Alzheimer's disease.[36][37]

In June 2015, Potter was presented the "ASCAP Harry Chapin Vanguard Award" by WhyHunger for her work towards defeating world hunger.[4]

Potter is legally blind in one eye.[38]

Potter said that she does not belong to any religious group but values a spiritual life.[39]

In 2011, Potter founded the Grand Point North music festival in Burlington, Vermont.[40]

Discography

Solo

List of studio albums, with selected details and chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
[41]		 US
Rock
[42]		 US
Taste.
[43]
Red Shoe Rebel
  • Released: 2002[44]
  • Label: Dream On Productions[44]
Track list
  1. "Red Shoe Rebel"
  2. "Moondance"
  3. "Time After Time"
  4. "Angel From Montgomery"
  5. "Landslide"
  6. "Kuma Ka-ya-ya"
  7. "He's Already Made Up His Mind"
  8. "Don't Stand So Close to Me"
  9. "Lay Down Brother"
  10. "My Fifth Pocket"
  11. "Tink's Cafe"
 ———
Original Soul
  • Released: May 5, 2004[45]
  • Label: Grace Potter Music, Indie911[46][47]
Track list
  1. "At Your Request"
  2. "Go Down Low"
  3. "Crazy Parade"
  4. "I Chose You"
  5. "Deliverance Road"
  6. "Gumbo Moon"
  7. "Hidden Superstition"
  8. "Moonbeams"
  9. "No Good, Mean Old, Lowdown Lover Man"
  10. "Somebody Fix Me"
  11. "Driving Blind"
  12. "Bull in a China Shop"
  13. "Kissing in a Tree"
 ———
Midnight 2643
Daylight 74920
Mother Road
  • August 18, 2023[53]
  • Label: Fantasy
 ———
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Singles

As lead artist

List of singles as lead artist showing year released, selected chart positions, and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
[54]		 US AAA
[54]		 US Country
[55]		 US Country Airplay
[56]		 CAN
[57]		 CAN Country
[58]
"I Want Something That I Want" 2008 —————— Music from One Tree Hill
"Wild Child" (with Kenny Chesney) 2015 56—91693 The Big Revival
"Alive Tonight" —29———— Midnight
"Empty Heart" —15————
"Love Is Love" 2019 —8———— Daylight
"Back to Me"
(featuring Lucius)		 —28————
"Mother Road" 2023 —————— Mother Road
"Good Time" —14————
"—" denotes releases that did not chart
List of singles as featured artist showing year released, selected chart positions, certifications, and album name
Single Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[54]		 US Country
[55]		 US Country Airplay
[56]		 CAN
[57]		 CAN Country
[58]
"You and Tequila"
(Kenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter)		 2011 3333625 Hemingway's Whiskey

Other appearances

List of other appearances showing year released, other performing artists, and album name
Title Year Other performer(s) Album Note(s)
"Wellwisher" 2009 Phonograph OKNO
"Ordinary Man" Gregory Douglass Battler
"Something That I Want" 2010 none Tangled also credited as co-writer
"Naughty Naughty Children (Better Start Actin' Nice)" 2011 Prep & Landing: Naughty vs Nice: The Complete Soundtrack
"My Mechanical Friend" 2012 The Flaming Lips Frankenweenie Unleashed!
"You and Tequila (Live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre)" Kenny Chesney Welcome to the Fishbowl
"I Shall Be Released" 2013 Don Was, Matt Burr Love for Levon: Benefit to Save the Barn
"Whisper in Your Soul" Gov't Mule Shout!
"Good Morning Good Morning" 2014 The Flaming Lips, Zorch, Treasure Mammal With a Little Help from My Fwends
"Gold Dust Woman" 2015 Warren Haynes, Railroad Earth Ashes & Dust

with Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

Studio albums

References

  1. 1 2 Stern, Andrew (October 6, 2015). "Move over, Adele — you're no longer the best voice in music". Business Insider.
  2. ↑ Graff, Gary (September 27, 2019). "Grace Potter Finds 'Release' After Tough Times With Daylight Album". Billboard.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Hallenbeck, Brent (September 15, 2016). "Grace Potter builds on diverse artistry". The Burlington Free Press.
  4. 1 2 3 Spevak, Jeff (June 18, 2016). "Grace Potter refuses to be contained". Democrat and Chronicle.
  5. 1 2 3 Bosso, Joe (August 23, 2023). ""There's Nothing Better Than Writing a Cool Riff. But These Songs Were Crying out for Something Different": Grace Potter Talks Charismatic New Album, 'Mother Road'". Guitar Player.
  6. ↑ MARTIN, ROBEY (September 30, 2015). "Q&A: Grace Potter". Richmond magazine.
  7. ↑ "Grace Potter, Original Soul". Seven Days. June 30, 2004.
  8. ↑ Kenefick, Cara (August 2, 2011). "Final Weekend of Sunset Music Series Features Grace And Floyd". Patch Media.
  9. ↑ Dye, David (August 24, 2007). "Grace Potter and the Nocturnals: Timelessly Modern". NPR.
  10. ↑ BURNS, BRENT. "Skipping To The Beat Of Grace Potter". Grammy Awards. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
  11. ↑ Watts, Cindy (November 28, 2017). "Kenny Chesney validated by first solo Grammy nod". The Tennessean.
  12. ↑ Balac, Milos (September 15, 2013). "Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Kenny Chesney Headline Grand Point North (PHOTOS)". HuffPost.
  13. ↑ "The Flaming Lips' 24-Hour Party: Chasing a Guinness Record With Wayne Coyne". Spin. July 2, 2012.
  14. ↑ "Flaming Lips beat Jay-Z's most concerts played in 24 hours world record". Guinness World Records. June 29, 2012.
  15. ↑ Dunkerley, Beville (August 29, 2012). "Grace Potter Makes a 'Friend' in the Friendly Skies". The Boot.
  16. ↑ "Grace Potter Will Appear on _The Chew". Relix. November 28, 2012.
  17. ↑ "Instant Holiday Party - The Chew: Season 5: Episode 67". Metacritic.
  18. 1 2 Hallenbeck, Brent (September 11, 2017). "Grace Potter on divorce, life and this weekend's Grand Point North festival". Burlington Free Press.
  19. ↑ Powers, Ann (August 5, 2015). "Review: Grace Potter, 'Midnight'". NPR.
  20. ↑ Shanahan, Marc (September 11, 2015). "Grace Potter handles the anthem at Patriots season opener". The Boston Globe.
  21. ↑ Dukes, Billy (February 1, 2016). "2016 ACM Awards Nominees Announced". Taste of Country.
  22. ↑ "2015 CMT Music Awards Nominations Announced". CMT. May 13, 2015.
  23. ↑ "Nominees Announced for The 49th Annual CMA Awards". Country Music Association Awards. September 9, 2015.
  24. ↑ Morris, Edward (June 20, 2015). "Kenny Chesney, Grace Potter Top Country Airplay Chart With "Wild Child"". CMT.
  25. ↑ Wilstein, Matt (January 26, 2016). "Conan O'Brien and Michelle Obama Entertain the Troops, and Each Other, in Qatar". The Daily Beast.
  26. 1 2 Hudak, Joseph (August 22, 2019). "Grace Potter Announces New Album 'Daylight' With Soul-Baring 'Love Is Love'". Rolling Stone.
  27. ↑ Spaleta, Steve (August 3, 2020). "Cosmic singer Grace Potter will rock a space-themed set tonight. Watch it live online!". Space.com.
  28. 1 2 Holden, Stephen (February 25, 2008). "The Sound of the '70s From a Singer in Her 20s". The New York Times.
  29. ↑ "Grace Potter and the Nocturnals in Concert". NPR. June 2, 2006.
  30. ↑ "Bauhaus brews up new Minneapolis outdoor concert series with Grace Potter, St. Paul & Broken Bones".
  31. ↑ DiRT 4 Official Soundtrack Instigators Grace Potter – via YouTube.
  32. ↑ Halperin, Shirley (November 12, 2013). "Grace Potter Got Married ... Six Months Ago". The Hollywood Reporter.
  33. ↑ Graff, Gary (September 27, 2019). "Grace Potter Finds 'Release' After Tough Times With 'Daylight' Album". Billboard.
  34. ↑ Hallenbeck, Brent (January 22, 2018). "Vermont-born rocker Grace Potter gives birth to first child". Burlington Free Press.
  35. ↑ Hatch, Holly (July 27, 2011). "Hippie to sex-vixen, rocker Grace Potter gets gay in exclusive interview". Out Front.
  36. ↑ "Vt.-raised Rocker Grace Potter Joins Fight Against Alzheimer's". New England Cable News. June 8, 2014.
  37. ↑ Hallenbeck, Brent (March 26, 2014). "Grace Potter to speak at Alzheimer's benefit dinner". The Burlington Free Press.
  38. ↑ "Grace Potter Talks Beauty Musts, Crossed Eyes, And (Oops!) Setting Her Hair on Fire". Allure. October 11, 2012.
  39. ↑ Budnick, Dean (December 2, 2015). "The 'Midnight' Ride of Grace Potter". Relix.
  40. ↑ Hallenbeck, Brent (June 25, 2022). "Why Grand Point North, Lake Champlain Maritime Festival won't happen this year". The Burlington Free Press.
  41. ↑ Grace Potter albums on the Billboard 200:
  42. ↑ "Grace Potter Chart History: Top Rock Albums". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  43. ↑ "Grace Potter Chart History: Tastemaker Albums". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  44. 1 2 Red Shoe Rebel (CD liner). Grace Potter. Canada: Grace Potter Music; BMI; Dream On Productions. 2002. 625989319921.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  45. ↑ "Original Soul – Grace Potter". AllMusic. Retrieved February 25, 2017.
  46. ↑ Original Soul (CD liner). Grace Potter. Canada: Grace Potter Music. 2004. GPM0S04.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  47. ↑ "Original Soul by Grace Potter". MTV Artists. Retrieved February 25, 2017.
  48. 1 2 Madden, Michael (August 6, 2015). "Grace Potter – Midnight". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
  49. ↑ "Midnight – Grace Potter". AllMusic. Retrieved February 25, 2017.
  50. ↑ Midnight (CD liner). Grace Potter. United States: Hollywood Records. 2015. D002026792.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  51. ↑ Johnson, Ellen (August 22, 2019). "Grace Potter Announces New Album Daylight, Shares First Single". Paste. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  52. ↑ Daylight (CD liner). Grace Potter. United States: Fantasy Records. 2019. 888072117396.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  53. ↑ "Mother Road CD". Hello Merch. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  54. 1 2 3 "Grace Potter Chart History: Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  55. 1 2 "Grace Potter Chart History: Hot Country Songs". Billboard. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  56. 1 2 "Grace Potter Chart History: Country Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  57. 1 2 "Grace Potter Chart History: Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  58. 1 2 "Grace Potter Chart History: Canada Country". Billboard. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  59. ↑ "American single certifications – Kenny Chesney – You and Tequila". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
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