Biography
The legions of country music fans wondering where real country has gone, need to look no further than Justin Grant. From the red dirt roads of his hometown of Uvalde, Texas, Justin has crisscrossed the US performing in clubs and at fairs up to seven nights a week, often five sets a night. From the most modest of tiny dives to opening for national acts like Eric Church, BR549, Heartland, Luke Bryan, Elizabeth Cook Sammy Kershaw & Johnny Lee. The influence of rich, traditional country music set the standard for Justin's passion for performing. In this & "American Idol" age, the age for instant celebrity status, Justin is doing what his musical heroes Waylon Jennings, Earl Thomas Connelly, Brad Paisley, Pete Anderson, and many more have done.
He has spent the last ten years traveling and playing in many different venues making a name for himself. The years of lugging equipment to small clubs from Georgia to Montana, of selling his horses because music held priority, of saying goodbye to relationships torn by his week long travels only solidified his dedication. Justin earned his journeyman's license in the electrical field in 2003 and has been working hard to support his passion. Every dime he has earned has gone to producing his CD's, paying for photo shoots, and the costs of trying to get that platinum record on the wall. Justin was fortunate in the fact that his employer has allowed him to come and go as he has needed to reach the goals he has set for himself. While working in the methane fields of Wyoming Justin has a 480 volt cabinet blow up with him in it, he was burnt on over 23% of his body and spent 2 months in the hospital, a month of which was in ICU. Yet through it all he only ended up with a graft on his left forearm and knows how lucky he is to be here. While in the hospital Justin received a call from long time friend John Christie. John wanted to know if Justin would be interested in recording an album and of course, he was.
Justin became friends with John Christie in 2006. John has been in Artist management for years helping along the carriers of such acts as Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Kathy Mattea, Sons Of The Desert, Darryl Dodd, Craig Morgan and many more. With John’s help Justin began his first professional record in May 2008 and between writing for the record and tracking the music he formed B.C.R. Entertainment Group, LLC to house the record label, Big Country Records and the publishing company, Phat Lick Publishing. Justin wrote many of the songs on this project, during this process paired up with Jarrod Johnson and wrote a song that was put on hold for a George Strait project. He also became friends with Shelee Morris of the band Twister Alley who had a smash hit called “Dance” in the 90’s, Shelee makes an appearance with her amazing harmonies on the title track to the album “All The Way To Abilene.” Justin completed his project having funded it completely from working in the oil and gas fields. Justin soon paired up with Ed Spacek of The Spacek Company and together they released Justin’s first single to radio.
“Drink More Beer” hit the Texas airwaves in 2009 and climbed as high as #60 on the Texas Regional Radio Report, made it to the top 30 on several countdowns and charts overseas and went to #4 in the International Independent Music Country Chart. Later in 2009 Justin released his second single “That’s All She Wrote” to radio. This is an up tempo ballad written by Justin that sums up the road he has been on and the sacrifices that come with it. “That’s All She Wrote” received rave reviews from radio for Justin’s vocals and ear for producing a professional sound.
Also in 2009 Justin, working with the Spacek Company, paired with Dorthea Ivey of Cabin Creek Promotions to release Justin’s third single, “Last Time It Rained” and in March of 2010 the power ballad hit the Texas Music Chart at #50 becoming Justin’s first top 50 hit. Currently making it’s way up the charts is his fourth single,“Till It DOn’t Burn Going Down,” a jamming country song with a southern rock feel. In addition to returning to his job to fund the effort Justin keeps himself busy with visiting radio stations all over the south as well as making stops at acoustic nights, open mic nights and song writer rounds like the one in San Marcos at Cheatham Street Warehouse to promote the album and break out some new material
Justin believes that singing from a working man's perspective fits his core belief that country music should be a true reflection of common people and their simple lives. "I have been referred to as an old soul and my love of the country and simple things in life are amplifiers of that trait," says Justin. This shows in Justin's music as well as showing his overwhelming respect for everyday people who through their lives leave a lasting impression on those around them. Justin's role as the troubadour for the common man was destined almost from the start.
He has spent the last ten years traveling and playing in many different venues making a name for himself. The years of lugging equipment to small clubs from Georgia to Montana, of selling his horses because music held priority, of saying goodbye to relationships torn by his week long travels only solidified his dedication. Justin earned his journeyman's license in the electrical field in 2003 and has been working hard to support his passion. Every dime he has earned has gone to producing his CD's, paying for photo shoots, and the costs of trying to get that platinum record on the wall. Justin was fortunate in the fact that his employer has allowed him to come and go as he has needed to reach the goals he has set for himself. While working in the methane fields of Wyoming Justin has a 480 volt cabinet blow up with him in it, he was burnt on over 23% of his body and spent 2 months in the hospital, a month of which was in ICU. Yet through it all he only ended up with a graft on his left forearm and knows how lucky he is to be here. While in the hospital Justin received a call from long time friend John Christie. John wanted to know if Justin would be interested in recording an album and of course, he was.
Justin became friends with John Christie in 2006. John has been in Artist management for years helping along the carriers of such acts as Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Kathy Mattea, Sons Of The Desert, Darryl Dodd, Craig Morgan and many more. With John’s help Justin began his first professional record in May 2008 and between writing for the record and tracking the music he formed B.C.R. Entertainment Group, LLC to house the record label, Big Country Records and the publishing company, Phat Lick Publishing. Justin wrote many of the songs on this project, during this process paired up with Jarrod Johnson and wrote a song that was put on hold for a George Strait project. He also became friends with Shelee Morris of the band Twister Alley who had a smash hit called “Dance” in the 90’s, Shelee makes an appearance with her amazing harmonies on the title track to the album “All The Way To Abilene.” Justin completed his project having funded it completely from working in the oil and gas fields. Justin soon paired up with Ed Spacek of The Spacek Company and together they released Justin’s first single to radio.
“Drink More Beer” hit the Texas airwaves in 2009 and climbed as high as #60 on the Texas Regional Radio Report, made it to the top 30 on several countdowns and charts overseas and went to #4 in the International Independent Music Country Chart. Later in 2009 Justin released his second single “That’s All She Wrote” to radio. This is an up tempo ballad written by Justin that sums up the road he has been on and the sacrifices that come with it. “That’s All She Wrote” received rave reviews from radio for Justin’s vocals and ear for producing a professional sound.
Also in 2009 Justin, working with the Spacek Company, paired with Dorthea Ivey of Cabin Creek Promotions to release Justin’s third single, “Last Time It Rained” and in March of 2010 the power ballad hit the Texas Music Chart at #50 becoming Justin’s first top 50 hit. Currently making it’s way up the charts is his fourth single,“Till It DOn’t Burn Going Down,” a jamming country song with a southern rock feel. In addition to returning to his job to fund the effort Justin keeps himself busy with visiting radio stations all over the south as well as making stops at acoustic nights, open mic nights and song writer rounds like the one in San Marcos at Cheatham Street Warehouse to promote the album and break out some new material
Justin believes that singing from a working man's perspective fits his core belief that country music should be a true reflection of common people and their simple lives. "I have been referred to as an old soul and my love of the country and simple things in life are amplifiers of that trait," says Justin. This shows in Justin's music as well as showing his overwhelming respect for everyday people who through their lives leave a lasting impression on those around them. Justin's role as the troubadour for the common man was destined almost from the start.