#CFF2022 Artists' Spotlight: Gunnar and The Grizzly Boys
Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys (GGB) have a name that rings true! A song that rang true, “Standard American!” And now they have an album of truly Good Rhythm...
GGB have fashioned a style that leader Gunnar Nyblad describes as, “Country music with a Michigan root.”
After years of honing its live show, GGB enters 2017 riding “These Are The Good Times” with the release of its second album, Good Rhythm, on November 22, 2016. It’s the first since 2010 during the band’s first year together and is built on the success of “Standard American”, which has sold over 35,000 downloads, had 850,000 YouTube views and 700,000 Spotify streams.
There’s an explosive energy at live Grizzly Boy shows, as evidenced by their appearances at festivals, including last summer at Country Stampede in Manhattan, KS. (watch video HERE).
Good Rhythm has been described as a diverse album that includes songs Gunnar wrote with Keesy Timmer (Kelsea Ballerini), Big Kenny (Big & Rich), as well as by himself and with bandmates. “These Are The Good Times” and “Forever Sounds Good To Me” were written with Timmer and “Heart of Dynamite” and “A Little’s Enough” with Big Kenny. The album also includes a cover of Ray Wylie Hubbard’s “Snake Farm”. Other highlights are the punky “Make Your Claim,” rockin’ “Devil Woman” and countrified “Hole In My Heart.”
While attending Michigan State University for an agricultural degree, Gunnar introduced his childhood friend, bass player Rob Mason (Kent City, MI), to his college buddies, lead guitarist Shane Grehan (Alpena, MI); guitarist/keyboardist Chris Newberg (Rockford, MI); and drummer Joe Connolly (Rochester Hills, MI). Gunnar & Rob have been in bands together since they were 12 years old.
The group debut was opening for Justin Moore in 2009 to a sold-out crowd at The Intersection in Grand Rapids. The Intersection continued to book GGB to open for Nashville acts until GGB reached headline status there. They also played local WBCT’s (B93) Birthday Bash and WYCD’s Detroit Hoedown.
Over the course of their career, GGB has sold over 20,000 CDs. Back in 2010, Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys self-released their 12-song debut album Homegrown and followed it in 2011 with a 5-song EP Country My Whole Life. In 2013, the Grizzly Boys put out the North Country EP, produced by former Wilco drummer Ken Coomer.
We are so excited to welcome Gunnar &The Grizzly Boys on the Campground Stage After Party this summer at CFF2022. Connect with us @countryfanfest on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Be a fan on Facebook!
Adapted from Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys Bio