Born in Los Angeles, Andy Grammer spent his childhood in Chester, New York, where he learnt to play the trumpet, guitar and piano. Encouraged by his family, particularly his father, Grammy-nominated children’s performer Red Grammer, to pursue his obvious musical talent, Grammer began writing his own songs at just 15 years old.
Upon graduation from California State University, Northridge, with a degree in Music Industry Studies, Grammer was discovered by industry executive Steve Greenberg, who immediately signed him to the label S-Curve Records. Grammer released his first album, called Andy Grammer, in 2011, and became the first male pop singer since John Mayer in 2002, to make it into the Top 10 at Adult Pop Radio. More than 1.5 million downloads were made of his first two singles, Keep Your Head Up and Fine By Me, which received Platinum and Gold certification.
His new album, Magazines or Novels, is in the works while a single, Back Home, has been released and serves to highlight Grammer’s growing confidence in his own musical talent. “Back Home is about those friends, specific places and vivid memories that remind us who we are,” he said in his official biography.
In terms of personal highlights, Grammer married recording star Aijia Lise in July 2012 and is set to appear in Season 21 of Dancing With the Stars. He wrote on social networking site Facebook that one of the key reasons he opted to do the programme was in memory of his late mother. “She would have completely lost her mind to sit front row at 'Dancing With The Stars' and I could feel that in my chest loud and clear. So this one is for you mom. I don't know how to dance, but I'm pretty sure that wherever you are it's going to make you very happy to see me try. I miss you, I love you, and I will be stretching my hammies to make you proud.”
