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29 May 2012
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David Gray

Born:	1970
Place of Birth:	Manchester, moved to Wales aged nine
School:	Ysgol Dewi Sant, St David's, Pembrokeshire

Famous For: Successful singer-songwriter. His "Greatest Hits" album was released in November 2007.

Trivia: The album title 'White Ladder' is a metaphor for a woman's spine.

Biography: Having decided to leave the family bakery business in Manchester, David's parents upped sticks to Solva and entered the tourism industry, making and selling craft items. A far cry from David's huge success later as a singer songwriter!

David grew up in Pembrokeshire and during his teenage years played in a number of punk bands, attending Carmarthenshire College of Art (CCTA) after finishing school. From Carmarthen he went on to study in Liverpool, and it was while on Merseyside he formed a band called 'Waiting for Deffo'. It was at this time he began to develop a more soulful, expressive style of writing, moving away from his earlier punk direction.

On graduating he moved to London and was soon signed up by two record companies - 'Hut' in the UK, and 'Caroline' in the USA. His first release was the single 'Birds Without Wings' in 1992, followed by the album 'A Century Ends'. Though not a commercial success, it nontheless won over a core of loyal followers, many of whom have remained with him ever since.

In 1993 he married Olivia who is a lawyer in London.

After his first European tour he recorded 'Flesh', his second album. Again this didn't achieve any greater commercial success and he was consequently dropped by Hut. All was not lost however - EMI were quick to sign him up and it was at this point that he began to gain popularity in Ireland. His videos were constantly played on 'No Disco' - Network 2's alternative music programme.

In 1996 his third album 'Sell Sell Sell' was released which again added to his popularity in Ireland. However in Britain his success remained low key.

In 1998, however, he recorded the album that would change his fortunes dramatically. David recorded 'White Ladder' at his North London home and at first released it on his own 'IHT' label. After an initial run of just 4,000 copies it went on to top the charts in Ireland and became his fastest-selling album.
To date the album has sold over 2.2 million copies, and shows no sign of abating.

With this success it seemed as if the tide was, at last, turning for him. At around this time the British film 'This Year's Love' was released. Five songs from 'White Ladder' were included on the soundtrack and David could even be seen on screen as the singer in the film's band.

In 2000 Christian Tattersfield joined EastWest Records. He was a massive fan of David's work, and Gray was quickly signed to the label who reissued 'White Ladder', backed by a huge promotional campaign. By May 2000 the album had reached the Top Ten and it stayed there for the rest of the year. When the song 'Babylon' was released it entered the UK Singles Chart at Number Five.
At long last he had achieved fame in Britain.

Gray subsequently performed two sets at Glastonbury and appeared on David Letterman's prime-time talkshow in the US. Since then his previous labels have not beem slow to cash-in, re-releasing much of his older material such as 'Lost Songs' and 'Sell Sell Sell'.

In October 2002 Gray released the long-awaited follow-up album to 'White Ladder' - 'A New Day At Midnight'.

Moment of Glory: The enormous success of 'White Ladder'

Off the Record: His early albums did not meet with much commercial success

Jason, Louisville, KY, USA
I had the chance to meet David in 2003. To this day it is still the greatest day of my life. I'm immersed in his music daily.
Fri Mar 14 12:39:25 2008

Luke, West Yorkshire
I love David's music, can sit and listen to it all night long. There's nobody else like him, I would love to meet him and tell him face to face how good his lyrics and voice is!
Thu Dec 13 10:29:03 2007

Apryl Heyens
Your music has saved my life...a friend of mine introduced me to David's music 4 years ago when I was going through a very hard time in my life. I listened to the music over and over again until I finally found my soul again. We are both your greatest fans, our life dream is to meet David, or even just to attend a concert. I am from Canada, and you have never toured any where near me and financial reasons keep me from traveling. Please let him know he is a true angel and my life would be over if not for his words and comfort all those days and even today. Truely worlds greatest songwriter/ singer by far.
Tue Jan 30 09:12:59 2007

Denise Morris Haverfordwest
I was in school with David Gray he used to play on stage in school in St Davids and look where he is now wow. Saw him in Cardiff in the CIA brilliant live especially when his guitar string broke. He just came back to Solva where he used to live to open a park for the kids. Love you David your music is from the heart words like 'go to sleep my one true love'.
Fri Sep 29 08:48:33 2006

Geoff Bray, USA
I cant express my appreciation for his music. Some of it sounds like it came from another time. He should be a world legend!!!!!
Fri Aug 4 13:48:58 2006

rob lewis, pontypridd
Love your music. Know every word to all your songs. Can't wait 4 u to tour Wales again! The last one in Cardiff was great!
Mon Apr 24 09:29:46 2006

Nikki - Ex Cardiff Lass
When are you touring New Zealand?!
Mon Dec 19 20:06:22 2005

Ruth,Plymouth
Saw him in concert last year and he just gets better n better.
Thu Dec 8 17:07:17 2005

Debbie ~Ohio
We want you in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Sat Oct 29 12:57:55 2005

Phillip Grant from Caerphilly
Fair play mate your music comes from the heart, it's inspiring and easy to listen to, looking forward to seeing you in Cardiff, will be singing all the way.
Fri Oct 28 14:24:38 2005

Beth from Sydney, Australia
Please tour Australia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tue Oct 18 11:55:18 2005

Hannah, Monmouthshire
Great singer. My whole family love him and my parents LOVE "this years love". They saw him at glastonbury i think, we have lots of his songs. GO DAVID!
Fri Sep 16 15:43:16 2005

Matthew St Dogmaels
You are the best.
Wed Aug 31 14:47:50 2005

Philippa ex Haverfordwest girl
I went out with David for a couple of weeks in 1983 - I met him at a young farmers disco at the Rochgate Motel nr St Davids. He was doing his nutty boy dance and was a huge fan of Madness. His mother drove and picked him up everywhere and my sister and I went mackeral fishing with his dad (who used to play the spoons at their family parties)in the drizzle.

My mum still gets on with his mother Kay as they used to be neighbours in Manchester before moving to Pembs. Oh by the way - Kay used to wear floor length fur coats everywhere. David if your listening do you want your gonk back which you gave me as a present from the Pembs County show?
Fri Jul 29 13:42:35 2005

Serena, Romania
Thank you so much for all the songs, especially for Sail away, This year's Love, Brick Walls and,of course, Babylon, Please forgive me... you are such a great artist!(I bought all your CDs in Dublin, fortunately!)
Fri Jul 15 12:48:00 2005

Jen from South Australia
Tour Australia!!
Wed Jun 15 02:01:45 2005

Ian from Llanelli
Keep on rocking brother!!!!!
Mon Jun 6 19:57:47 2005

Bungy, Yorkshire
Thanks for the music its from the soul.
Sun Apr 17 20:26:12 2005

James, Solva
My gran used to play scrabble with his mother! She said she could hear his music up the road!
Fri Feb 18 12:25:18 2005

Are you a fan of David's songs? Were you in his band at Ysgol Dewi Sant? Are there any other famous CCTA alumni? Add your comments here.

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