Biography

Born in Houston, Texas, Greg Shirley spent the majority of his youth traveling with his parents all along the southern coast. It was here in these laid back fun-loving coastal towns that music really ingrained its sound into Greg’s soul and became a constant companion in his day to day life. Greg’s father became a southern gospel bass vocalist later in his life, while his mother played the guitar and was a fan of the folk sounds of the ‘60s and ‘70s.
At the age of 17, Greg picked up his first guitar and quickly discovered he had a natural talent for playing and singing. He became a front man for many area bands in and around the Birmingham area and was soon performing at college parties and local events, as well as area clubs.
By the early ‘90s, Greg had married and started a family. He soon made the decision to take his music to a more professional level and moved his family to Nashville. During this time, his talents as a songwriter emerged and he also worked as a studio demo singer and musician. When Greg’s dad was unexpectedly diagnosed with a terminal illness, he decided to move his family back to Alabama, settling in the Tuscaloosa area. During that time, Greg’s passion and talent for writing and performing music continued to grow and his dream of one day recording his music flourished.
Now, Greg Shirley has recorded an album of his own original songs and plans to release the CD in early 2015 on Garage Door Records. He is currently performing at live venues in and around the Birmingham/Tuscaloosa area.
Years after he left Nashville to raise his family and start a business, Greg found himself back in Music City studios. He’d tried his luck here two decades earlier, but this time, Greg was singing for himself. “It was like seeing a close friend I hadn't seen in years,” he says. “I was really excited, but I still felt comfortable being there.”
Supporting Greg on his debut is a virtual “who’s-who” of Nashville players. Jim Moose Brown, a veteran multi-instrumentalist who has lent his talents to recordings from Waylon Jennings, Brad Paisley and Alan Jackson, plays keys. Drummer Eddie Bayers has earned the prestigious Academy of Country Music Drummer of the Year award for eight years straight. Bassist Kevin “Swine” Grantt’s resume includes work for Toby Keith, Brad Paisley and Willie Nelson. Engineer T.W. Cargile, co-producer of Johnson’s Grammy-nominated “In Color,” recorded Greg’s vocals at Johnson’s Big Assed Studio in Nashville.
In addition to Greg’s own compositions, the album includes songs from some of Nashville’s most celebrated songwriters, including Bernie Nelson and Chris Wallin. Kenny Chesney, Chris LeDoux, and Randy Travis have all taken Nelson’s songs to the top of the charts, and the smash, “Daddy Never Was the Cadillac Kind,” earned him Million Airplay status. Chris Wallin’s “Something to Be Proud Of” kept Montgomery Gentry at number one for weeks. His songs have appeared on albums by everyone from Trace Adkins to Confederate Railroad and Diamond Rio. Greg’s first single and video off the new CD is “Hillbilly Girl.”
Though he’s made a name for himself among Nashville’s elite, Greg Shirley is happy to call Alabama his home. Performing to fans throughout his adopted home state, he has built a loyal following that recognizes him as one of their own. Pretty impressive roots for someone “raised on the run.”