Grace Potter is the lead singer of the rock band ‘Grace Potter and the Nocturnals.’ She is an American musician, writer, and multi-instrumentalist. The band began in 2002 when a group of musicians from St. Lawrence University came together to collaborate on music. They self-released their first two albums before being approached by Hollywood Records to sing for them. Potter’s unusual voice quality, style statement, and power-packed concerts wowed the world and continue to enthrall rock music fans to this day. Potter is well-known for her solos and collaborations with artists such as Bethany Joy Galeotti, Kenny Chesney, and Gregory Douglass, in addition to being affiliated with the band. Potter, who was raised in a musical family, realized early on that music was her primary interest. Potter and her crew also founded the ‘Grand Point North Festival’ in Vermont to provide a showcase for fresh and local talent, which draws thousands of young people each year. The rock artist has also dabbled in acting, having appeared in a number of theatrical productions and television shows. Potter has been actively involved in many humanitarian events and performances for charitable organizations with the help of her husband and band mate, Matt Burr. Potter is strongly affiliated with the Alzheimer’s Association as a homage to her paternal grandpa, who battled the disease. Potter has acquired fame and notoriety after each concert she has performed with her band throughout the world.
Childhood and Adolescence
Grace Potter was born on June 20, 1983, in Waitsfield, Vermont, to Peggy and Sparky Potter. Her father was a carpenter, and her mother was a piano instructor, and it was through her mother’s instruction that she began her musical adventure.
Grace grew raised in Mad River Valley, where she developed an early love in music by seeing her mother play the piano and studying from her at the age of six. Her family encouraged her to pursue her interests in music and theater.
Potter began singing in choruses while attending Harwood Union High School in South Duxbury, Vermont. She was inspired to pursue a career in music by performers such as Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Kurt Cobain, as well as encouragement from her family.
Potter studied drama at St. Lawrence University in Saint Lawrence County, New York, from 2002 to 2004. Her passion for theatre was evident in her engagement in theatrical events where she worked on shows such as “Cabaret” and “The Pirates of Penzance.”
Grace Potter was recognized by a drummer named Matt Burr who volunteered to create a band with her while performing folk tunes in 2002 at a venue called ‘The Java Barn,’ which was organized by students.
When Courtright Beard, a bass player and a high school buddy, joined her institution, Potter accepted the offer. The group began their musical adventure by writing jazz-influenced tracks. Soon after, the shows began, with Potter serving as the lead vocalist and assisting on the Hammond B-3.
The band was renamed ‘Grace Potter and the Nocturnals’ after guitarist Scott Tournet joined. After returning to Vermont in 2003, Burr decided to devote their entire attention to the band. Beard left the game at this point and was replaced by Bryan Dondero.
Career of Grace Potter
Potter’s musical career began in 2004, when the band’s debut album, ‘Original Soul,’ was released on their label, ‘Ragged Company.’ The album was well-received, and it was even compared to Norah Jones and Bonnie Raitt, among others.
The band continued their journey on their own, focusing mostly on concerts and performances that drew a large number of ardent followers, despite receiving offers from well-known labels.
‘Nothing But the Water,’ their second self-published album, was released in 2005 and quickly became a hit.
Following that, they signed a deal with ‘Hollywood Records’ for their third album, ‘This Is Somewhere,’ which came out in August 2007.
In 2010, the band recruited Catherine Popper and Benny Yurco as new members and released the album “Grace Potter and the Nocturnals,” which featured the hits “Tiny Light” and “Paris (Ooh La La).”
Potter gained notoriety in 2010 when she performed with Ann and Nancy Wilson of the rock band ‘Heart’ at the ‘VH1 Divas Salute the Troops.’
‘You and Tequila,’ Potter’s soulful ballad with Kenny Chesney, topped the charts in 2011 and became an instant hit worldwide.
Around the same time, ‘Grace Potter and the Nocturnals’ started the ‘Grand Point North Festival,’ a musical festival in Vermont that showcased local bands. In 2011 and 2012, the band continued to tour nonstop while also releasing a four-song Christmas EP and a live album in the United Kingdom. The band taped a live show at the Fillmore and only made it available as a digital download.
The band made history in 2012 when Chesney invited them to perform on his ‘Brothers of the Sun’ tour, where they wowed country fans. The band was also featured in the VH1 Storytellers program in June 2012.
‘The Lion the Beast the Beat,’ released in 2012, quickly became the band’s most popular album, featuring a broad variety of music recorded across the United States, with Potter handling production duties as well.
Eric Valentine produced and mixed Potter’s solo album ‘2015’s Midnight,’ which was released in August 2015 and topped the charts.
Potter continues to enthrall her admirers by performing on various occasions, with updates available on her official website, ‘Gracepotter.com.’
The band has just announced that they will perform at the ‘2017 Grand Point North’ on September 16th and 17th at Waterfront Park in Burlington, Vermont.
Major Projects of Grace Potter
‘The Lion, the Beast, and the Beat’ is still one of her most popular albums.
‘Grace Potter and the Nocturnals’ and ‘2015’s Midnight’ are two other critically acclaimed albums.
Achievements & Awards
After being placed 17 on the ‘Billboard 200,’ ‘The Lion the Beast the Beat’ received the highest levels of praise.
Potter and Chesney’s duet song ‘You and Tequila’ was nominated for a ‘American Country Award’ for Single of the Year Vocal Collaboration. The ballad was also sung at the CMA Awards by the vocalists.
Personal History and Legacy
Potter met percussionist Matt Burr, a senior at St. Lawrence, while she was a freshman, and the two were romantically linked shortly after. They began pursuing a career in music together and formed a band before marrying in the Caribbean on May 11, 2013.
Until a label report was revealed on November 12th, 2013, the marriage was kept hidden from the public light.
Estimated Net Worth
Grace Potter’s net worth is $4 million dollars. She is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actress. Grace Potter was born in June 1983 in Waitsfield, Vermont. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals was created in 2002. Her musical tastes include rock and pop, and she plays keyboards and guitar.
Trivia
The moniker ‘Grace Potter and the Nocturnals’ was chosen since the band used to practice late at night in its early days.
Despite the fact that music was her heart and soul, Potter was compelled to work in ordinary jobs such as babysitting, dishwashing, house painting, and sandwich making due to circumstances. She has also worked as a theatre director and a general contractor.
Potter has appeared in several television shows, including ‘Rizzoli & Isles’ and ‘Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice.’
Potter is also involved with the Alzheimer’s Association, KIND, Oceana, the Central Park Conservancy, and the National Resources Defense Council, among other social and environmental non-profits.