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From serving country to serving country music
By David Moye
June 26, 2006
San Diego--When Joshua Gracin was a marine stationed at Camp Pendleton back in 2002, he gave his all to his country.
Now, the former Lance Corporal is giving his all to country music.
Gracin is most famous as the marine-turned-singer who, in Season 2 of American Idol, saluted the show’s English judge Simon Cowell.
|
200 concerts in the last year |
Although he came in
fourth that season behind Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken and Kimberly
Locke, Gracin has become one of country music’s rising stars, thanks
to hits like “Nothing To Lose,” “I Want To Live,” and “Stay With Me
(Brass Bed)” from his self-titled debut CD, and his current single,
“Favorite State Of Mind,” which is quickly climbing the charts. Now, Gracin is getting ready to release his second CD, “All About Y’All,” and says this recording is more him than the first one. |
“For the first album, I was still in the service, so I had to fly in and out to record when I could. ‘All About Y’All’ had my undivided attention.”
Gracin has spent most of the last year on the road performing more than 200 concerts and that’s given him an idea of his strengths as a singer.
“I love doing upbeat songs. We didn’t do anything differently on this album than last but I know my direction and we had more time to put it together. So, it’s much more me.”
But while Gracin is focused on country music, he is enjoying jumping into other arenas of entertainment, such as acting. On June 29, he makes his professional acting debut on the CBS soap opera, “The Young And The Restless,” playing what he calls “some guy in a bar.”
Gracin admits he “acted in high school” but doesn’t see it as a full time gig.
“Country music is my main focus. I don’t want to do anything that takes away from that. At the same time, it’s nice to do things that extend what you are and like to do.”
In fact, he’d love to use some of what he learned in the Marines in a war movie, as long as the role didn’t interfere with his country music career.
These days, Gracin doesn’t spend much time in Camp Pendleton and makes his home near Franklin, Tennessee, with his wife Ann Marie, who was also his high school sweetheart, and his two kids (with another due in the fall).
Although Gracin isn’t nostalgic for the days when he had to say “Hoo-Ah” instead, “Howdy Y’all,” he does remember Oceanside fondly because “that was the first time, I lived near a beach. That was cool.”
Still, he admits he doesn’t miss another San Diego tradition: Mexican food.
He laughs: “I wasn’t a big fan of Mexican food. That’s more my wife’s thing.”
For more information on Josh Gracin, check out www.joshgracin.com
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David Moye is a fifth generation resident of San Diego county and has the same birthday as Reggie Bush--but none of the athletic ability.
| Suggested Vyuz reading... |
| Sha na na co-founder and La Jolla resident Jocko Marcellino refuses to get a real job | By David Moye |
| The Redcoats are coming, again | By Brian Swarthmore |
