The Greatest Thing You'll Ever Learn by Bobby Gray

Almost flunked out of high school my freshman year because of booze and girls. Got straightened out when I started surfing and made honor roll. Still played in bands. Got drafted while I was trying to retire on Maui at the age of 18 and while becoming a hippie with hair down to my butt. Played in several jazz bands in the army back east, and survived being the only white in some pretty tough clubs. Became a lead singer in rock bands for 12 years and got sucked hard into the decadent lifestyle as I became a pro surfer. Blew my voice out singing Zepplin 5-9 nights a week as I was drinking and smoking everything in sight, and fulfilling every male fantasy ever conjured. Had my clothes ripped off twice by mobs of crazy, beautiful girls, and it was not pleasant. Got jobs singing backup and playing sax/percussion with some very good rock bands. While still competing in national and international surfing contests and while being married with kids. Gave up the drugs and worked days as a framing carpenter while playing or recording almost every night in LA and living in Orange County.

I played with the first Rolling Stones cover band and did some pretty good touring. Recorded constantly with several very good bands that just did not make it bigger than the LA club scenes. Put together a horn section for Dick Dale and became a Del Tone. Got offered an opportunity with the Coasters and turned it down to raise my kids. Jammed a little with some great players and even got to sing one time with Tina Turner at a big concert. I was on the stage drunk singing along with her and she grabbed me and held the mic to my mouth as we sang the song Higher. Ike looked at me like I was dead meat and that was the first time I ever sang with a female vocalist. I was pretty wasted.

I quit surfing contests at the age of 37 after being eliminated at the World Trials. All my trophies are in boxes in the basement. I guess they weren't really that important.

I kept playing music but not as much until my kids grew up. Been very happily married for 35years.

Eight years ago I decided that God had been so good to me that I was going to devote my life to Him. I did and gained more Joy and self control than I ever thought possible.

I started concentrating on my music and playing every chance I could. I met some world-class musicians and brought them into the studio with me and this new CD is the result.

My goal is to bring a little bit of joy, peace, love, and romance to this hectic world and to help troubled children.

My musical influences are too numerous to list but some of the biggest are: Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Tony Williams, Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, The Stones, David Sanborn, Frank Sinatra, Led Zepplin, Eric Clapton, The Doors, Love, Canned Heat, Muddy Waters, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Angus Young, Tina Turner, Janis Joplin, Carlos Santana, Andreas Borcelli, Christine Agularia, Chris Falson, Donovan, Blackeyed Peas, Iron Butterfly, Bob Dylan and Lenord Cohen.

Some of my favorite musicians today are actually on my CD. WOW! How cool is that!!

The track "To Mari My Bride" is already being featured on 88.5 FM KSBR.

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