Grant Tilly Singer/Songwriter - Grant Tilly - news

Des Tribute/Jersey Boys Press Tour

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0700

I'm back in Toronto, only to be flown out to a few of my favourite Canadian cities as part of a mini-performance in anticipation of a Canadian tour of Jersey Boys coming next summer. I'll answer the question off the bat: no, at this point I'm not cast in that upcoming tour (which is actually a tour that's currently going through the states) but with already one of our Canadian Cast members, Michael Lomenda, on that tour... who knows what can happen in a year? Whatever the case, it's a blast to see friends in Saskatoon, Edmonton, Vancouver and my hometown of Calgary and sing some Jersey Boys songs and work with some of my favourite people once again.

Also, got to share the stage last week with some amazing people as part of "How to Succeed, a musical Tribute to Des McAnuff" at Koener Hall. So great to meet and chat with crazy talented people, Bruce Dow (what a great MC), Sean Cullen (I have never laughed so hard backstage in my life), as well as some of the cast of Stratford's Jesus Christ Superstar, which is headed to Broadway-- Paul Nolan, I cannot say enough about his voice. And at the end, Des himself picked up his guitar and played with his band, which I gotta say, was pretty cool...

Planning the first of a few CD releases, starting with one in Calgary over the Christmas Holidays-- stay tuned!

Newfoundland wrap up

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0700

What a wonderful four months in Newfoundland. The Brand New Beat tour brought us all around the island, to Carbonear, Clarenville, Grand Falls, Gander, Corner Brook, Stephenville, and even over to Labrador City(!). I finished up everything with a few days in St. John's with family and friends before catching the flight back to Toronto. Just wanted to send a quick thanks out to everyone at Rising Tide and the Arts and Culture Centres-- thank you for being so welcoming to me, even though I'm a mainlander (though I did play heavily on the "my father was born in St. John's" card). And now... back in Toronto, let's see what new adventures there will be...

Brand New Beat Tour

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0700

After a summer of great experiences in Trinity, I'm now getting the chance to see most of the rest of the island with the tour of "Brand New Beat", a musical about the Art Andrews Dance Party, by Petrina Bromley and Amelia Manuel. There's a great write-up of the show at the St. John's Telegram. We've just opened in St. John's and now will be touring the province's arts and culture centres, heading to Clarenville, Gander, Grand Falls, Corner Brook, Stephenville, Labrador City, and Carbonnear. I'm loving this cast so if you have a chance to see it come on by, there's a link to the Arts and Culture centre website in the links section.

Newfoundland and New CD

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0700

Well, they've arrived... I have some wonderful new CD's that have been delivered. Now comes the fun part of getting it out there and into everyone's hands and ears...

The summer here in Trinity has been lovely so far, and now that all the shows I'm in have opened (This Marvellous Terrible Place, No Man's Land, Beacon of Light, and the Trinity Pageant), I've got some time to play some music as well. I'll be playing at "C'est la V" cafe in Trinity on August 18th, so if you're around, drop by!

In other news, I'll be heading out on tour with Rising Tide, covering what seems like the whole Island of Newfoundland and also Labrador. More info on that to come.

Trinity Newfoundland

Sun, 05 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0700

It's been one week now since I've been in Trinity starting rehearsals for Rising Tide's Theatre in the Bight festival. Trinity is an historic town about three hours north of St. John's on the east coast of Newfoundland, (you can visit the festival at www.risingtidetheatre.com) and it is beautiful. I'm feeling quite lucky to get to spend the summer doing theatre by the ocean with some wonderful people, and getting around and seeing relatives that I haven't seen for awhile.

And... the CD is almost finished, I believe as I write this they're being manufactured. I'm very proud of what we've done, and can't wait for everyone to hear it.

If you're around Trinity this summer, drop by and say hello!

Album

Thu, 05 May 2011 00:00:00 -0700

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Just finished what may be the final day of mixing the new album at the Canterbury Music Company and I'm loving how this is sounding. I'm deeply grateful to the amazing musicians and singers we've had on this project, as well as producer Konrad Pluta for his arrangements and coming along for this ride. If you're interested in buying a copy in advance, or supporting the album, please go to the the "Buy" section of the website. I think you'll love it.

It's been a long winter in toronto and it's great that spring seems to finally be here. Hope you're enjoying yours!

3 Guys gig and Elvis

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0700

Thanks to everyone who made it out for our 3 Guys from the Prairies gig last night. The Bread and Circus was sold out and the food was amazing. As I mentioned at the show, I'm in Port Hope today rehearsing, "Elvis, from Memphis to Vegas" for The Capitol theatre here-- and I'm kind of loving the music and the company. If you're interested in coming out, go to the links section and find all the information you need to get your tickets!

My Side of the Country Website

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0800

The website for the new musical I've written, My Side of the Country is up and running-- go to the links section and check it out! I've been working on the show for a few years, and recently had a workshop and the chance to record the songs, which you can hear snippets of on the website. It's a wonderful new family musical about Canada's history and cultures, and we've got some great people involved.

As well, the Three Guys from the Prairies will soon ride again! You can join David Hein (Singer/Songwriter and co-writer of My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding), Jeff Straker (who is tearing it up on the music scene and just recorded an album in Nashville), and I for a hilarious night of music-- March 15th and the Bread and Circus in Toronto, hope to see you there.

Working on the new album

Fri, 08 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0700

I love doing shows, but maybe the best thing is coming out of a show and the rush that accompanies it. I guess there's just more room in your head for other ideas. Right now, all energy is being put towards the new album, "World Keeps Passing By". Producer Konrad Pluta and I have been working through the charts, getting together the musicians, and at the end of the month we'll be heading into Canterbury Studios to record these new tracks. Since the release of the last album, I've had requests for a recording of the song, "With Open Arms" and I'm happy to report this song will be on it. Stay tuned for more info!

Bye Bye Baby-- closing Jersey Boys

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0700

I'm sitting backstage at the closing matinee of the Canadian Company of Jersey Boys. It doesn't look like I'll be on for this one, so it's great to just sit and listen to an audience go nuts for a show-- they're wild. I experienced a bit of it on the last friday and saturday shows as Tommy; cheers where you'd never expect them, screams when characters come onstage, roses thrown at the bows, Bizarre!

What a crazy experience this show has been. I can't think of a more challenging or rewarding experience than understudying two leads and four ensemble parts. In the past year and a half I have learned so much-- if ever an actor wanted to learn about being in the moment or dealing with stress... this is the gig.

I'll miss everyone, especially a cast who never failed to welcome me onstage, whether playing a Jersey thug turned pop star or a french rapper. And thanks to everyone who came to see the show and left me a personal message or on the guestbook, it means a lot.

As for me, I'm taking a break! Off to Newfoundland, and probably some writing in the near future... What's next for everyone? We'll see...