By Times News
7/27/17
GrayMatter has a passion for re-creating songs popular during the musicians’ youth.
“A GrayMatter show is chock-full of memories for people who grew up in the ’60s, ’70s and beyond, and we love introducing those dynamic classics in a fresh, new way to younger audiences who have never heard the songs before. Our originals are folk/rock/Americana-style pieces woven together with those same dynamic harmonies and often steeped in personal storytelling,” said Bev Gray Gude, who performs with her brothers, Brad and Barry Gray, and her husband, Dave Gude.
The band will make its third appearance at the Fourth Fridays/Musical Chairs concert series from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday at the Historic Depot, 200 S. Main St., Burlington. Admission is free, but donations of children’s art supplies for classes at Alamance Arts are appreciated.
“We grew up singing and playing music together. We’d often gather our instruments and play music around the dining room table after dinner had ended, along with our two other siblings and our dad, Bryan, who also sang and played guitar,” Bev Gray Gude said.
Bev and Dave started dating at ages 15 and 16, respectively.
“Dave was there early on for those Gray musical moments,” she added.
Bev Gray Gude is featured on vocals, 12-string and high-strung acoustic guitars, bodhran, percussion and flute; Brad Gray is on vocals, acoustic and electric guitars; Barry Gray is on vocals and acoustic guitar; and Dave Gude is on vocals, acoustic guitar, tenor banjo, harmonica and mandolin.
Harmonies set this band apart from others in the Piedmont-Triad.
“There’s something special that happens when family voices are blended together — a close-knit chemistry that’s unique,” Bev Gray Gude said.
Inspiration comes from the bands with heavy-laden harmonies and fabulous rock bands, too.
“To name just a few of our favorites we’d have to say Peter, Paul & Mary; Kingston Trio; Beatles; James Taylor; Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young; The Monkees; Bob Dylan; Simon and Garfunkel; and The Band,” she said.
In addition to Friday’s concert, GrayMatter has a show at Listen Speakeasy at Hush in Greensboro on Monday.
“In this intimate setting, we’re going to be showcasing our original songs, so this is a unique opportunity for GrayMatter fans and for folks that enjoy singer-songwriter shows,” she said. The event will begin at 3 p.m. and seating is limited so those interested should go to the website at www.graymatternc.com.
Next up at Musical Chairs: Liverpool, Aug. 4 in downtown Elon as part of the Alive After Five portion of the concert series.
For more details on GrayMatter, visit www.facebook.com/graymatternc. Videos are available on YouTube and on the Facebook page.
