The San Francisco Chapter, in partnership with the GRAMMY Foundation, recently hosted GRAMMY SoundChecks with the Fray in the historic poster room of The Fillmore.
Twenty-five students from the Marin School and various schools in Redwood City joined the San Francisco Chapter to meet with the band in a room decorated with hundreds of posters from historic concerts — from Janis Joplin and Country Joe McDonald through concerts of the 1970s and 1980s. The band was just as amazed by their surroundings as the students, explaining as they arrived for the question-and-answer session how they never imagined they would play at this historic venue.
Co-hosted by Merl Saunders Jr., Sr. Executive Director of the San Francisco Chapter, and Greg McQuaid, morning show producer for KFOG 104.5, the question-and-answer addressed topics including songwriting, touring, and the band's beginnings in Denver. When asked by the teens if they support local bands now that they have had this success, Isaac Slade (vocals, piano) explained, "We make a point of mentioning our favorite local bands, and having local bands open, especially when we are in Colorado."
The Fray brought up some interesting points when questioned by a student about advice for young songwriters. Slade offered, "You should feel like 'this is the best song' when you write new songs. Let it be you and don't try to be like anyone else." Joe King (guitar, vocals) added: "The greatest advice I received was, 'Write 100 songs and throw them out; then you'll be ready.' Reach further each time you write! Keep writing even when they say you suck. Keep writing even when you're doing better. Keep writing even when you've sold 1 million records. Just keep writing."
The Fray left the students with a timeless and unassailable piece of advice: "Just make music that moves people." The students then enjoyed the Fray's sound check, where the band took requests from the students, playing songs that moved the audience.