The Chicago Chapter, along with the GRAMMY Foundation, hosted a GRAMMY SoundChecks with recording artists the Fray at the House of Blues in Chicago on April 2. The Denver-based band just released their debut album, How To Save A Life, this past September and have had amazing novice success. We were lucky enough to catch some of the Fray's time for a GRAMMY SoundChecks event before their first Chicago soldout House of Blues show.
Twenty-six students from Highland Park High School participated in the SoundChecks. To start the event off, the excited and eager students met the band in the House of Blues' elite Foundation room where the band played four acoustic songs for them. The exclusive concert was followed by a question-and-answer session with the band. Topics discussed included formation of the band, individual and band sacrifices, the music business (band management and finances), and how to pursue and stay motivated about one's passion.
At the end of the question-and-answer session, the Fray signed autographs, took pictures with the students and answered individual questions from them. The students were then escorted down to the stage area to watch the Fray perform a sound check. Through the band's sound check the students learned about and observed the guitar and drum techs, the order of instruments to be checked for sound, and the importance of hearing conservation and preservation.
Throughout the program, the Fray were very open, honest and fun. The students were more than thrilled to have met the band, listen to their private set and to learn so much from each of them. The Chapter received many positive comments from the students, chaperones, and from the Fray and their management. A special thank you goes out to A-squared managers Mark Cunningham and Jason Ienner, tour manager Mark Maher, and the House of Blues staff for all of their assistance with this program.