Today we’d like to introduce you to Graham Whorley.
Hi Graham, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started playing music as a child. I studied Suzuki-method on piano starting at age 4, where I played until about age 12, when I took 3 months of standard guitar lessons and graduated (so to speak) from that instructor. It was at 12, I played my first show and fell in love. At 14, I began playing live regularly with professional musicians twice my age. I started touring when I was 18. By the time I was 22 years old, I was performing full-time and touring with the Graham Whorley Band (GWB). I released 3 albums under GWB. That was about the time I started looping. After touring off and on with GWB for almost 20 years, I started to build a solo live-loop show. GWB was disbanded approximately 8 years ago. After which, I kicked off my solo live loop shows full time, which are currently performed throughout the greater Charleston and surrounding area.
When COVID-19 hit in 2020, I was scheduled to tour the US and the UK with shows already booked. All live shows were canceled in 2020, which allowed me to go full-time into the studio to record. I just wrapped up the production of the music for “World Wrapped in Chain” a social restoration project with 15 anthems, each offering a depiction of the current events plaguing the world that include systemic racism, spotlighted via police brutality, and white supremacy in the U.S. during the pandemic. Each anthem on the album provides thought-provoking lyrics, with one-of-a-kind beats, all written, produced, mixed, and mastered by Graham Whorley.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not a smooth road. Growing up in VA posed its own set of challenges. I left VA for Charleston, SC with very little in the way of material possessions, but my heart was filled with love for making music. There were times when I did not know how I was going to survive. But through my sheer determination, and my love for the art of making and recording music, I was able to take care of my family and raise two children, as a full-time, professional musician. My journey wasn’t easy. I’ve played some decent stages, and I’ve played dive bars, not to mention the unsafe places I played while underage. But for every event, every challenge was a stepping-stone to the next adventure. There were times when I thought, “Ok, this is going to be my shot, but what I learned from those moments was that as much as I may have thought I was ready for the big stage, I was not. Life had more in store for me. I had some more lessons to get.
Fast-forward to now, with the new album, “World Wrapped in Chain” released on Sep 30, 2022, this is it! I have done the due diligence. I have put in the work, and I am ready to take on the biggest challenge of my career, making that leap to the next level.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Right now, my focus is on promoting the new album, which includes rehearsals with the eight-piece World Wrapped in Chain Live Band. And I am working on the World Wrapped in Chain documentary with AA Management and Soul Shine Studios that we hope to release in 2024. We are also planning a World Wrapped in Chain Musical, that we’re drafting the script for now.
Additionally, I am spending time in the studio working on the next project, a new loop album.
What does success mean to you?
Success is a journey. And depends on your perspective. Success for me has been being able to work as a professional musician full-time. Of course, I’ve had other jobs throughout my life, but my profession has always been a musician first and foremost. I have two adult children, whom I was able to raise and provide for making music and performing live shows.
I’m successful as a father, as an independent musician, but more importantly, as a human being with care and compassion for my fellow man, my brother.
Success for me, is having the capacity to grow, recognize when you are wrong, and having the wherewithal to right said wrong.
I’ve not yet reached my pinnacle. But from my point of view, I’m already successful.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Grahamwhorley.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grahamwhorleyofficial/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/graham.whorley
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ2aeG9mly__r6pbr_yFs_A
