Grant Tye is the quintessential side man. Always prepared, versatile and respected. Grant splits his time between recording studios and the stage, performing alongside acclaimed artists from nearly every musical genre.  

 

Born in Dallas, Texas and raised in cities throughout the south including Jackson, Mississippi and Charlotte, North Carolina, Grant began his musical life playing guitar in his middle school jazz band.  When he was a freshman in high school he saw an ad about a brand new stratocaster being sold by a local Gospel preacher.  Grant’s mom drove him to the preacher’s house where he pulled it out from under a bed for him to try.  “Blackie” has been his constant companion ever since, changing him from a music fan into an inspired and soulful professional.  

 

As a teen, Grant played blues and rock shows all over the South.  He moved to LA to attend the Musicians Institute where he honed his chops in local Hollywood clubs.  His side gig as an Elvis impersonator band member paid the bills.  

 

Grant formed the band Dick Holliday and the Bamboo Gang with fellow LA musicians and moved to Chicago.  Dick and the Gang played sold out shows at The Cubby Bear, The Metro and the Park West for many years.  They toured the country, Mexico and the Caribbean, recording more than four CD’s together.  The Bamboo Gang and all of its original band members still play festivals and sold out shows today.   

 

For more than a decade, Grant wowed audiences trading licks with two-time Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Robbie Fulks.  Fulks’ work helped define the ‘alternative country’ movement of the 1990’s.  The band played nationally and overseas, recording numerous albums including the critically acclaimed record, “Georgia Hard’.  

 

In addition to hundreds of rock clubs in the United States and abroad, Grant has played some of the most prestigious music venues in the world including appearances at The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Buddy Guy’s in Chicago, The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, The Fillmore in San Francisco, The Pabst Theatre in Milwaukee and Millenium Park in Chicago.  TV appearances include The Today Show, The Conan O’Brien Show and numerous appearances on local Chicago television.  

 

Grant has played shows with Jeff Tweedy, Sonia Dada, Cathy Richardson, The Insiders, The Juleps, Nora O’Connor, Kelly Hogan, Jason Narducy, Lush Budgett, Mavis Staples, Tina Fey, Otis Clay, Justin Roberts, Sam Bush, Redd Volkert, Lloyd Green, Buddy Miller, Bill Kirchen, Big Al Anderson, Jennifer Hartswisck,  The Social Act, Michael McDermott, Jay O’Rourke and many others.