Gregory Scott Ericksen
Gregory Scott Ericksen (born May 29, 1949) is an American composer, singer, songwriter, musician, artist, attorney[1], producer and developer. Ericksen has been practicing law[2] for over 40 years but his true passion is in his music. He is known for writing popular songs including, "The Darkness and The Night[3]" charting on regional radio charts while in the rock band "The Grimm" during the 1960s and "Light Up The Land[4]" for the 2002 Utah Winter Olympic Games. He was a contributor and executive producer of the inspirational Olympic album of the same name, "Light Up The Land[5]" featuring Gladys Knight, Donny Osmond, Marie Osmond, Brooks and Dunn and others. Ericksen wrote the title track "Light Up The Land" performed by Jenny Jordan which has been covered several times by other artists[6] winning 9 music film festival awards and featured in a PBS soundtrack[7] for a documentary title "Sweetwater Rescue: The Willie and Martin Handcart Story[8]". He also wrote "Life Goes On" after the devastating loss of his youngest son Adam Ericksen during a drowning accident on the Colorado River in 2015. He produced film segments[9] for American Idol Extra featuring 2002 American Idol contestant Carmen Rasmusen as well as represented[10] her in a record deal with Lofton Creek Records in Nashville. Ericksen was the executive producer of Carmen's August 28, 2007 release of her first album, "Nothin Like the Summer[11]". In 2015 Ericksen developed the largest commercial film studio[12] in Utah located in Park City, landing ABC Network Television show Blood & Oil, starring Don Johnson[13], upon opening the doors. The studio has hosted several productions and events including Imagine Dragon Music Video, and Sundance Film ‘Wind River[14]’ starring Jeremy Renner. Ericksen sold his studio interest in 2017 and began actively pursuing his musical passion. Dedicated to good 'ol fashion rock 'n' roll with pursuit to make uplifting music, The Grimm will release its first single in years and vinyl album in late 2018 “Lost Tracks” featuring 12 original compositions written by Ericksen, and a second album Lost Tracks II is scheduled to be released in 2019, also featuring compositions written by Ericksen.
MUSICAL FAMILY
Ericksen’s father, Max Ericksen, claimed that his young son Greg started to sing before he could talk. His Father Max wrote original music during the 1940s and formed an orchestra where he played trumpet. His mother LeIsle Ericksen played a lap steel guitar and sang.
BAND YEARS 1962-1969
Ericksen started to write original music when he formed a band at age 12 while attending South Davis Junior High[15] in Bountiful, Utah. The band was first a folk group named "Four/Fifths". The folk group featured Greg Ericksen on guitar, and singers Mike Alder, Marvin Ellis, and Martha Smith. They appeared on several local television shows in Utah, such as Terry Williams Hi Shop[16], a Salt Lake City television program, and the March 29, 1963 Eugene Jelesnik Talent Show Case[17], an affiliate of the Ted Mack Original Amateur Hour. They were also top finalists in several local and regional talent contests.
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ROCK GROUP
In early 1965 the Four/Fifths folk group converted to a rock group[18] adding drummer Lane Ward. In June 1965 Ericksen’s rock band won a regional Battle of the Bands with a grand prize of a recording contract with Warner Brothers Records[19]. Although that contract never materialized several other major labels courted Ericksen, including Columbia Records, with producer Gary Usher offering Ericksen a deal that Usher would form a group around Ericksen to utilize his singer/songwriting skills. Ericksen politely declined.
THE GRIMM
In 1967, the Four/Fifths changed their name to "The Grimm" and Denie Hill took the place of Lane Ward who left the band as a Christian missionary to Peru. During the spring of 1967 Ericksen wrote his first hit song at age 17, titled "The Darkness and the Night" released on SVN Records[20], an independent label. In 1968, "The Darkness and the Night" began climbing regional charts[21]. Several other major labels pursued discussions with members of the band including Columbia Records, Liberty Records and Reprise Records.
Darkness and the Night 1.5 First Single to Chart[22]
As "The Darkness and the Night" climbed regional charts, Ericksen wrote two full albums of original compositions and "The Grimm" recorded their second and third singles, "The Beggar", and "Mr. Parkingsworth" which was never released.
EARLY RELEASES
In 1968, as the group was touring extensively[23] and moving up regional radio charts having recorded their second 45 rpm single featuring "The Beggar" and "Mr. Parkingsworth", two other members (Marvin Ellis and Mike Alder) left the band to also become Christian missionaries. Greg Dickman became the third member to leave as a result of being called into the Air Force National Guard during increased hostilities in the Vietnam War. The exodus of band-mates of "The Grimm" brought delays to the second single release and planned tours along with delays to The Grimm's first full album release.
LIGHT UP THE LAND
In 1998, while returning from Afton Wyoming during a wintry night, Ericksen wrote "Light Up The Land", which became the title of an inspirational album for the 2002 Utah Winter Olympic Games[24], as well as one of the Olympic album cuts. The song was performed by Jenny Jordan[25] and won several awards including, "Best Album Design"'[26].
LIGHT UP THE LAND COVERS [27]
After the release of the 2002 Inspirational Olympic album, several other artists covered the song winning over 9 awards[28].[29]
LIFE GOES ON
On June 4, 2015, Ericksen was notified by phone that his 27 year old son, Adam Ericksen, had drowned in the Colorado River. Adam was on his way to propose to his long time girlfriend when he drowned. Early on a cold Christmas morning 2015, Ericksen walked into his music studio where he discovered some unfinished melodies written and recorded by Adam were in a protools session that he had been working on. Ericksen finished the song through the inspiration he felt that day producing “Life Goes On”. "Life Goes on" was recorded by Ericksen, American Idol Carmen Rasmusen and the Calvary Baptist Church of Salt Lake City, Utah. It will be released without cost to those who are suffering from the loss of loved ones to help the healing process. Ericksen considers "Life goes On" as a gift of comfort, and one of his greatest blessings on that Christmas day in 2015.
ALBUM RELEASE
Interest in The Grimm has remained active over the years with KCPX top forty charts featuring The Grimm auctioned on Ebay of their first and only rare 45 rpm single “Darkness and the Night” being auctioned off on Ebay at premium prices.
The full vinyl, a single featuring “The Darkness and the Night” and “1400 Miles” will be released in November 2018. The single will be in limited release on a 7” vinyl 45 rpm. On the “A” side will be “The Darkness and The Night”, and on the “B” side will be “1400 Miles”.
“Lost Tracks” album was released in late fall 2018 on 180 gram vinyl as well as compact disc (CD) and streaming services featuring original music composed between 1965-1969. The album includes a first set of twelve (12) unreleased original compositions released by The Grimm™ through independent label r3 Records, on 180-gram vinyl LP’s, featuring album art work contemplated by The Grimm™ in the 1960s.
In 2014, Ericksen performed the lead vocals and rhythm guitar for a pilot streaming TV series from a rooftop concert set depicting Barcelona, Spain and filmed by Park City Film Studios Content Division. These concert performances will be released in late 2018.
The “Lost Tracks II” album released in 2019, through an independent label, r3 Records, on 180 gram vinyl, featuring 12 more original tracks composed between 1965-1969. Lost Tracks II is a continuation of original compositions performed by The Grimm.™
Upcoming releases are Oculus Album to be released in July 2021 and “Grimm Times” album (working title) the fourth Album being recorded by the current band.
CURRENT BAND
On March 9, 2021, former organist Michael Alder passed away who was an amazing talent.
In 2021 ‘The Grimm’ founding member Greg Ericksen has been joined by Brett Raymond (organ), Michael Dowdle (lead uitar), Joel Stevenett (drums), Ryan Shupe (Bass) and Andrew Doolittle (Guitar) who will begin to perform both live concerts and and on a streaming platform made for television show “London RoofTop”.®
References[edit]
- ↑ Davis County Clipper. Accepted by Calif. Law School. August 8, 1975
- ↑ 27May1978. University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law; Juris Doctor
- ↑ Ericksen, Greg. "Darkness and the Night". YouTube. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
- ↑ Copyright Gregory Ericksen/r3 April 2000; written by Gregory Ericksen
- ↑ Wadley, CArma (June 16, 2002). "2002 Pearl Awards highlight inspirational music". Deseret News. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
- ↑ Cedar Breaks. Winner Best Gospel Song World Music and Independent Film Festival DC 2015. Screening International Christian Film Festival Orlando 2015. Screening LDS Film Festival 2016. Screening Narrow Way Film Festival Pennsylvania 2016. Winner 5 awards "Best Song, Best Music Video, Best Gospel Song, Best Choreography, and Fan Favorite" Christian Film Festival West Virginia 2017. Finalist American Tracks Music Award LA November 2017. Winner 2nd place "Best Song" International Christian and Music Festival 2018. Winner Bronze award Global Music awards CA 2018.
- ↑ Cardon, Sam. "Sweetwater Rescue The Willie and Martin Handcart Story". Amazon. Groberg Film. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
- ↑ Groberg, Lee. "Sweetwater Rescue". Famous Mormons. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
- ↑ 'Hitching a Ride'
- ↑ Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carmen_Rasmusen. Retrieved 26 October 2018. Missing or empty
|title=(help) - ↑ "Nothin' Like the Summer". Wikipedia. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
- ↑ Wimmer, Nadine. "New Film Studio Nearly Complete in Park City". KSL. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
- ↑ Iwasaki, Scott (September 18, 2015). "Park City and Summut County open up to 'Blood and Oil'". ParkRecord.com. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
- ↑ Goundry, Nick. "Frontier feature Wind River filmed in Utah". KFTV. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
- ↑ Davis County Clipper. Val Verda. November 22, 1965
- ↑ Davis County Clipper, Preferred Man. December 11, 1964
- ↑ Davis County Clipper. Quartet Will appear on Program. March 27, 1964
- ↑ Salt Lake Tribune. Utah 'Four Fifths' Add To One Top Rock Unit. September 9, 1966
- ↑ Davis County Clipper. Four Fifts [sic] Visits in California. January 7, 1966
- ↑ Deseret News. by Bryan Gray. May 10 1968
- ↑ KCPX News, The GRIMM, The Blue...Going Strong. June 7, 1968 Vol 1 No 54
- ↑ KCPX News, THE GRIMM, The Blue...Going Stron. June 7, 1968 Vol 1 No 54
- ↑ Davis County Clipper. Rock 'n Roll in Idaho. October 29, 1965
- ↑ "Popular Music". WorldCat. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
- ↑ Allmusic https://www.allmusic.com/album/salt-lake-2002-light-up-the-land-mw0000215003. Retrieved 31 October 2018. Missing or empty
|title=(help) - ↑ Wadley, Carma. "2002 Pearl Awards highlight inspirational music". Deseret News. Deseret News. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- ↑ Also known as "Light" covered by "Cedar Breaks" band
- ↑ Announcements (September 1, 2015). "Band 'Cedar Breaks' wins in national music, film festival". St. George News. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
- ↑ "Light aka Light up the Land". Cedar Breaks. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
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