John Gregory

Roots rocker John Gregory began composing songs during his teenage years. Having performed with several Los Angeles bands, he launched California alongside childhood companion Max M. When their label collapsed in 2001, the group disbanded as well, prompting Gregory to pitch his material across Nashville and L.A. His manager succeeded in reaching Atlantic Records co-president Ron Shapiro by phone, after which Gregory arrived in New York City within three days. Initial recordings with a Grammy-winning producer struck the vocalist as lifeless and were promptly abandoned. He connected immediately with Rob Jacobs, the former Eagles and Alanis Morissette producer, and together they began shaping an album. A single cut appeared on the What a Girl Wants soundtrack in 2003, while the complete album Pictures From Home arrived in early 2004.