Grace Pettis
Bugle Boy Sunday Showcase Winner & Best of 2009 Winner
Mountain Stage (NPR)
NewSong 2009 Winner &
Best Song Winner
WildflowerPerforming Songwriter 2010 Winner &
People's Choice Winner
Rocky Mountain Folks Festival 2010 4th Place Winner
Grace Pettis is the 22-year-old daughter of Pierce Pettis, and has just released her debut, self-titled CD, Grace Pettis, on the Blue Rock Artists label. Already, Grace has begun to earn national recognition, with her 2009 win at the Mountain Stage NewSong Songwriting Competition. Grace performed on the prestigious Mountain Stage radio show for NPR, and was also awarded NewSong's 'best song' award for her 'Nine to Five Girl.' In addition, Grace also was awarded 'audience favorite' at the May 2010 Wildflower Songwriting Contest in Richardson, TX, where she won the prize of a handmade Gallagher guitar. Most recently she was selected as a finalist for the August 2010 Folks Festival Songwriting Showcase in Lyons, Colorado.
'It might be expected that the daughter of singer/songwriter Pierce Pettis would make music that's both brainy and quietly spiritual. Grace Pettis displays a winning idealism and an awareness of the world's injustices. 'Nine to Five Girl' is a bittersweet portrait of a harried working woman that earned Pettis top honors in the 2009 Mountain Stage NewSong Songwriting Competition. The rock-tinged 'Heard Enough Now' confronts an authority figure with a defiantly questioning attitude. More introspective are the dreamily jazzy 'A Bird May Love' and the ruminative, Sarah McLachlan-esque 'The Gypsy's Code.' 'What you Didn't Want to Know' is an engaging slice of lovelorn torment. While Grace can't be called carefree in attitude, she does allow herself a lighthearted moment with 'Italy,' a sunny travelogue. All the tunes benefit from Pettis' clear, emotive vocals, distinguished by her keening upper range. Grace Pettis is heartfelt and free from affectation and its fresh outlook is its strength.'
-Official Itunes Review
Touring Update
This partnership has created the perfect blend of music, coffee, and justice! For more information please visit Storyville's website.
Wildflower Update
In addition to taking home 1st place honors and an extraordinary guitar, Grace was also was selected as the "People's Choice". This award goes to the crowd favorite judged by a live audience. Louise Mosrie, Allie Farris, andJulianna Waters also placed Saturday night. The four winners shared the stage Sunday afternoon for a Songwriter's Round.
In the photo Al Johnson, Allie Farris and Louise Mosrie watch as Grace Pettis is presented with the Grand Prize by luthier Stephen Gallagher.
Grace's New Guitars
Both instruments are beautiful works of art, with unique qualities. The guitar on the right is Grace's new OOO 12 fret Moonstone Guitar, hand crafted by Steve Helgeson and given to her by John Phelps, owner of Storyville Coffee.
Grace is also holding a G-55 Dreadnaught Gallagher Guitar, handmade by Stephen Gallagher, and won as the grand prize at the Wildflower Songwriting Contest this May.
'In the marriage of word and melody, Grace Pettis sets the bar at a jaw-dropping high level...I can't force you to purchase a copy of this gem encrusted Grace Pettis. If you do I can guarantee a musical voyage that will have you pressing the repeat button with regularity.'
-Arthur Wood of Maverick Magazine, UK
'This first outing for Grace Pettis is just great...These are fine songs from a brave, transparent young woman. She has a voice that reminds me of Karla Bonoff or a young Linda Ronstadt.'
-Larry Baumgartner of Victory Review Acoustic Music Magazine
'Songs like the opener 'The Gypsy's Code' possess the dusky Western folk sound of Patty Griffin and Kate Rusby, and Grace's voice has a warm lilt similar to Beth Nielson Chapman.'
-Victoria McCabe of Muruch.com
'...it certainly lives up to the family name. This selection of guitar-and-vocal-driven folk songs stands on its own feet, with soulful lyrics...'
-Image Update
Management: No manager either: grace.pettis (at) gmail.com
Publicist: You guessed it- Grace does this too: grace.pettis (at) gmail.com
Hair stylist/Nutritionist/Voice Coach/Answerer of All Questions from Web Site Visitors:
grace.pettis (at) gmail.com