Singer Songwriter Billy Grima Talks Texas, Charities And “Sugar & Cream”

Award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter, Billy Grima has had quite a 2015.  He’s received airplay on North American college radio stations with his third album release, “Sugar & Cream.”  He’s performed at the TexasSounds Country Music Awards earlier this month, and he’s won a prestigious Akademia Award for Best Pop/Rock Song, with “Pleasure To Have Met You.”  Billy took a few minutes out from his busy schedule to talk about his journey to Texas, his charitable concerns and his latest critically acclaimed album.

“It was an outdoor concert at the Diamond Don Pavilion. It was an amazing feeling performing with the house band as we did all the tracks from the Sugar & Cream Album. I loved playing with these incredibly talented musicians who were able to play my songs – We sounded tight!   I liked the fact that people took a liking to my material and they actually came up to me telling me that they were touched by my songs and that they could personally relate to them.  One of them being was my song “I Miss You Baby”.  An individual who is a survivor of stage 4 cancer came up to me and thanked me for writing this song as the lyrics touched home. Second being was “You Mean the World to Me”. After the show, I took a stroll into town and as I was being seated at a downtown restaurant, a man approached me and said, “I can totally relate to your song “You Mean the World to Me”. I said “Thank you” as he wanted to know more about the song and as he learned more about the song we talked about our personal experiences with our families and we had many similarities in common.  Growing up in a small town myself, visiting Jefferson, Texas felt just like home. It brought back many memories for me touring the downtown area with all its’ historical, libraries, churches, courthouse, and museums.  The history of this small town was really quite amazing.  I visited the historic Jefferson Hotel which was originally a 1861 cotton warehouse and was converted to a hotel in 1900. It later became a country inn and restaurant. I toured the Jefferson Carnegie Library, another amazing historical experience. The library was built in 1907.  It was one of the few libraries still serving its’ original purpose where the second floor was designed as an opera house. I wish I had more time to sightsee this beautiful scenic State.  Again, the best part of all was that the people made me feel very very welcome in their home town. From going out to breakfast with the locals or singing a song on the patio at the local pubs where we jammed after performing, that was a great highlight for me because right then and there it was not about a show or a performance, it was more about singing with these people and having a great time and getting to know these people on a personal level. I look forward to doing that again. “

What’s the craziest thing that has happened while on the road, and where did it happen?

“The craziest thing that happened to me on the road was when the band vehicle stalled on the way to a show.  Half of the band was with me and the rest were waiting for us at the venue.  We were going to Lake Simcoe for a show in the winter time. We had somebody pick us up and we had to leave the band vehicle behind.  We were a tad late for the show, but we ended up playing for a great audience.  It was a great party.”

You’ve received some wonderful award nominations over the past year or so.  Which one is your favorite and why?  

“I have been nominated in 6 categories:  Best Adult Contemporary Artist, Best Americana Song for Pleasure to Have Met You, Best Americana Album for Sugar & Cream and Songwriter of the Year with the International Music and Entertainment Association. – I am incredibly honoured by these nominations.  Also, I have been nominated in a Country Music Award Show held by the Josie Show Awards in Nashville for Pop Artist of the Year and Pop Song/Video of the year for Pleasure to Have Met You- Once again, extremely proud and happy!  My favorite nomination is Songwriter of the Year because when I am writing, and I am in my own world and putting lyrics and music together and telling a story from deep within is what I love to do. I live and breathe song-writing.  I am so very happy to be recognized and acknowledged for something that I am very passionate about doing.  This is not about work, this is something that I must do on a daily basis. This is my medicine. This is my life. “

Critical praise, record sales, or industry awards…which one is most important to you and why?

“Well, recently, I won an award for Best Pop /Rock Americana Song for “Pleasure to Have Met You” with the Akademia Music Awards.  I must say that being recognized and awarded for my contributions as an artist is extremely important to me to but all three equally play an important role in the progression of any artist.  Having people critiquing my music is one thing of course as I try to understand their vision when I am reading their remarks whether good or bad and I try to learn from their opinions which helps me to envision new ideas, but record sales show how my music is shared with the world, with the public. It’s not about the money, it’s about knowing that your fans want to hear your album or songs all the time, where they can play it at home or at parties and they do not have to wait for it to be aired. This way your fans can listen to your music at any given time.  On the other hand, I am not saying that little bit of “Sugar & Cream” along with some extra “gravy” would not come in handy either, I am just a simple man really LOL, however, getting a return on my music will only enable me to get the stories out there, to make the music, to pursue my passions and to raise money for underprivileged children, diseases such as cancer and to help families who have loved ones serving in the Armed Forces. This is what is important to me.”

Tell me about your current album, Sugar & Cream.  How did the title come about, what’s your favorite track, and what was the recording process like?

“Sugar & Cream is a combination of personal stories and notorious stories that made headline news such as the story about Donald Marshall, Jr. in my song “Baby Please Don’t Cry”, an Aboriginal Mi’kmaq man who was wrongly convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment  in 1971, and was later acquitted in 1989. This case was one of the most controversial in the history of the Canadian Justice System.  The title Sugar & Cream came about because I am a man who likes his tea with sugar and cream, but on many occasions I had to run to the store because I did not have both. While riding my John Deere tractor, tea with sugar & cream in one hand, and steering with the other… this man likes his tea. As for the song Sugar & Cream, listen to the song, the story says it all.  “I Miss You Baby” is one of my most favorites.  When I finished writing the song, which I had a very hard time finishing, I was so overwhelmed with emotion after hearing the finished product.  I was speechless for one, and my daughter was in a panic asking me “What is wrong daddy?” and my answer to that was “I just finished the most powerful song I have ever written.” I could not wait to have it recorded. “I Miss You Baby” is another song based on a true story. The song was written on piano. I wrote the chorus when I was in high school – a song that I had never forgotten as it was very very fitting to the rest of the story. I played the song for Peter Swan, my producer and engineer, he was speechless. The recording process was very emotional but we managed to complete and produce this beautiful song with our hearts and souls combined.”

Have you been writing and recording for a new album yet?  If so, tell us about the direction the new album is taking.

“Yes I am working on my fourth album and I am experimenting with new techniques, as I find myself writing more and more on guitar than piano for the moment.  The first seven songs from Sugar & Cream were written on piano and then I changed it up so I wrote the last three songs on guitar. The direction of my new album is always a surprise here and there, depending on what side of the bed I get up.”

Up to this point, what is the highlight of your music career?

“Singing at a concert and seeing people singing my songs along with me.  That is pretty cool. Having my music heard on the radio and being given the opportunity to have a write-up like this is also pretty amazing but being nominated and winning awards tops it all.  I have been doing this since I was 8 years old.  Music is my therapy, my medicine, my life.”

Tell us about the video for “Pleasure To Have Met You.”  Where was it shot?  Who is in it?  Who directed? What is the concept, and How did the concept come about?

“The video “Pleasure to Have Met You” was shot at my home in Caledon, Ontario.  In the video there was Wayne Melnechuck on drums, Julio Fuenzalida on bass and myself on guitar. Anna Pereira played the part of girlfriend and of course my dear friend (dog) Sandy. It wasn’t planned for her to be in the video, but she is my shadow and my good friend and she just stood right by me as this is something  that we do everyday, sit on the porch and play music. Gregory De Souza produced and engineered the video.  The concept of the video “Pleasure To Have Met You” is about meeting your soulmate. It’s about never getting enough of that person because that person will be the highlight of your day. I just wanted the video to be a laid-back, relaxed atmosphere, sitting and enjoying a glass of wine with that special person.”

What is one career goal that you hope to accomplish in the next year?

“I would love to have artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel or Tim McGraw sing “I Miss You Baby”. Also performing a duet with Sarah MacLachlan or Faith Hill would be something I would love to accomplish in the next year.”

Outside of music, what does Billy Grima enjoy?  And if I was to come to your house, what would you serve for dinner?

“Well I love peace and quiet.  I enjoy walking my dog on the Bruce Trail.  I have a huge family and every Sunday, without fail, 19 of us, all family, sisters, husbands and kids, all get together at my parent’s house and we feast on great food cooked by my dear mom. Nobody gets in Mama’s kitchen- do not get in her way or you will get yelled at. Even dad is not allowed in the kitchen or he will also get yelled at.  The best part of all is that we all get to take doggie bags home with leftovers. Michael, when you come to my house for dinner, we will first start with bread & butter and a cup of water LOL. All kidding aside, we will start with an escargot appetizer going into a main dish of either fish or coffee chicken, vegetables will be asparagus, carrots and peppers as I grew up on a farm, so I do like my vegetables. Do you like grilled zucchini? I can serve that up too! I will serve mashed potatoes for your pleasure as well. As for dessert, heck, bring your own!! But no, I would make you the best home-made trifle, my dear mom’s recipe. Wine, cheese and tomatoes will be served and tea with Sugar & Cream to end the night. Thank you Michael, very much for all your help as you have made so many things possible for me. Cheers!”