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For more than four
decades Dobie Gray’s
distinctive voice has graced record charts all over the
world. It is not an understatement to say that he is a
singer’s singer - a songwriter’s songwriter.
Through his prodigious talent and fluid performing
style, this multi-talented performer has earned the
respect and admiration of his peers. In his long and
distinguished career, Dobie has had the good fortune to
record numerous career songs, any of which would have
sustained another artist throughout their entire career.
From 1965’s “The In Crowd” to “Drift Away” and “Loving
Arms,” Dobie has demonstrated his wide - ranging musical
tastes. But, as great as the songs are, what really set
them apart from so many other great songs was...that
voice!
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Born into a
family of sharecroppers in Simonton, Texas,
and greatly influenced by his Grandfather, a
Baptist Minister, Dobie’s life revolved
around family, the church and music. Thus,
Gospel, Country, Tex-Mex and R& B have all
found a comfortable home in his repertoire.
Moving from Texas to California in the early
60’s, Dobie met Sonny Bono, then A&R manager
for Specialty Records. That encounter led to
his first notable single, "Look At Me."
(later recorded by The Righteous Brothers).
Although "Look At Me" remained on the charts
a healthy five weeks, Dobie’s real
breakthrough came in 1965 with the release
of "The 'In' Crowd."
In Hollywood he enrolled in acting classes,
and appeared in Theatre-group Productions,
including "A Raisin In The Sun," "The Amen
Corner," "Look Homeward Angel" and
"Rhinoceros." His dramatic gifts eventually
landed him a role in the L.A. production of
the Mega – Hit, Musical "Hair," in which he
remained for two and a half years.
Dobie’s voice was also being heard on a
number of motion picture soundtracks: Uptown
Saturday Night, Casey’s Shadow, The
Commitment and Dick Clark’s teen musical
extravaganza, "Out Of Sight, among them.
(Today, his compositions can be heard on
Movie and TV Soundtracks around the globe.)
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"See You At
The Go Go" |
"The 'In'
Crowd" |
"Look At
Me" |
Sonny Bono |
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"Drift
Away" |
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"Loving
Arms" |
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During
his three-year tenure as a Staff-Writer at Almo/Irving
Publishing, Dobie’s Vocal talents landed him a
recording contract with MCA Records, in late 1973.
"Drift Away," still heralded as his signature
tune, was written by Mentor Williams, and his
follow-up, "Loving Arms," written by Tom Jans, and
produced by Williams, has been covered by everyone
from Elvis to Ray Charles.
While Dobie enjoyed moderate
success as a composer, in Hollywood, the true
persona of Dobie Gray - the songwriter - began to
emerge in earnest, and given his Country - Gospel
roots, his next move was not surprising.
With more than a little trepidation and the
absolute conviction that he could become a
"polished" Songwriter, he traded the bright lights
of L.A. for the southern graces of Nashville,
Tennessee. The move was well timed. Though his
reputation as a consummate performer was
accelerating toward international prominence and
new-found stardom, Nashville would afford him
peace and tranquility after his travels abroad.
Above all, though, it would bring him a feeling of
belonging in Music City U.S.A.’s community of
auspicious Songwriters - many of whom became his
friends during the recording of his three albums
for MCA, at Quadrafonic Studios, on 18th Avenue.
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