Greg Holden

{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Greg Holden | image = | birth_name = | birth_date =  | birth_place = Aberdeen, Scotland, UK | years_active = 2005–present | genre = folk, soft rock, acoustic rock | occupation = Singer, songwriter | instrument = Vocals, guitar, piano, drum | label = Falling Art Recordings Collective Sounds Warner Music Group | website = {{URL|www.gregholdenonline.com/}} }}

'''Greg Holden''' (born 28 February 1983) is a Scottish singer-songwriter based in the United States.<ref name="people">{{cite web |url=http://www.people.com/article/greg-holden-writer-home-phillip-phillips-american-idol|title=Meet Greg Holden, the Singer-Songwriter Who Penned the Phillip Phillips Hit 'Home' |author=Gillian Telling |date= 5 February 2015 |work=People }}</ref> He is best known for his hit charity single "The Lost Boy" and for co-writing "Home", the 2012 debut single for ''American Idol''-winner Phillip Phillips.

==Early life==

Holden was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, and lived in Methlick in Aberdeenshire until he was three.<ref name="thr">{{cite news |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/idol-worship/phillip-phillips-coronation-song-home-greg-holden-338731 |title=Songwriter Greg Holden Discusses the Success of Phillip Phillips' 'Home' |author=Michele Amabile Angermiller |publisher=The Hollywood Reporter |date= 18 June 2012 }}</ref> The family then moved to Lancashire in England, and he was raised in Morecambe and then Leyland. He went to St. Patrick's Primary School, Heysham near Morecambe, then attended Leyland St. Mary's Catholic Technology College and the University of Central Lancashire.<ref name="lep">{{cite news |url=http://www.lep.co.uk/news/millions-wowed-by-greg-s-song-1-4584635 |title=Millions wowed by Greg's song |author=Melanie Wallwork |work=Lancashire Evening Post |date=25 May 2012}}</ref> Holden started learning to play the guitar when he was 18.<ref name="people"/>

After graduating in 2005, he went to Brighton with his band.<ref name="sundaymail">{{cite news |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/showbiz/2012/06/17/scots-songwriter-greg-holden-tells-of-his-shock-as-song-he-co-wrote-becomes-hit-for-american-idol-winner-86908-23896830/ |title=Scots songwriter Greg Holden tells of his shock as song he co-wrote becomes hit for American Idol winner |author=Karen Bale |work=Sunday Mail |publisher=Scottish Daily Record and Sunday Mail Ltd |date=17 June 2012 }}</ref> He then moved to London in 2007 to attempt a career, before moving to New York City in 2009.<ref name="thr"/> He relocated to Los Angeles in July 2016.{{Citation needed|date=July 2016}}

==Music career==

Holden wrote his first song called "You Go Left, I'll Go Right" when he was 18.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.americansongwriter.com/2013/11/greg-holden/ |title=Greg Holden| author= Andrianna Yeatts |date=17 November 2013 |work=American Songwriter }}</ref> He won the ''Lancashire Evening Post'' Battle of the Bands in 2005.<ref name="lep"/>

Greg first gained a large following by posting live videos of himself performing his songs on YouTube. One series of videos was called the "Not My Living Room Tour" where he performed for his fans in their living rooms.<ref name="Q&A"/> Greg Holden's debut album, ''A Word in Edgeways'' (2009, 9 tracks) was followed by the EP ''Sing for the City''.<ref name="Q&A">{{cite web |url=http://yousingiwrite.blogspot.co.uk/2009/11/q-with-greg-holden.html |title=Q&A with Greg Holden |date=25 November 2009 |work=You Sing, I Write}}</ref> All of Holden's albums were initially either self-released or released on his own label, Falling Art Recordings.

In 2009, Holden moved to New York soon after the release of his first album. A few months later, he toured as a support act for Ingrid Michaelson in the US after she heard him live in his previous visit to New York.<ref name="Q&A"/><ref>{{cite web |url= http://blogcritics.org/concert-review-ingrid-michaelson-with-greg/ |title=Concert Review: Ingrid Michaelson with Greg Holden – Center Stage Loft, Atlanta, Georgia on September 22, 2009 |author= R.P.M. |date=3 October 2009 |work=Blogcritics }}</ref>

His songs have been featured on several TV shows, for example a track from ''A Word in Edgeways'', "Choking on the Concrete", was featured on an episode of the TV show ''Private Practice''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spinner.com/2010/03/14/greg-holden-interview-sxsw-2010/ |title=Greg Holden Interview: SXSW 2010 |author= Maggie Gryske|work= Spinner|date=14 March 2010 }}</ref> Other shows include ABC's ''Make It Or Break It'', ''One Tree Hill'' and the CW's ''Life Unexpected''.

===2011–2014: ''I Don't Believe You''=== Greg Holden's second album, ''I Don't Believe You'', was funded by fan donations using Kickstarter in 2010 which raised $30,000.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gregholden/help-greg-holden-fund-his-new-album-0 |title=Help Greg Holden Fund His New Album! |work=Kickstart |date=10 March 2012 }}</ref> In late 2010 Holden started recording his second studio album with producer Tony Berg in Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.grammy.com/news/believing-in-greg-holden |title=Believing In Greg Holden |work=Grammy.com}}</ref> The album was released in May 2011, and an acoustic version of ''I Don't Believe You'' was also released in March 2012, including 2 bonus tracks, one of which is "The Lost Boy".

"The Lost Boy" was written by Holden in 2011 but was not included in the original release of the album, but added in its subsequent releases. It was inspired by the book ''What is the What'' by American writer Dave Eggers about Sudanese refugees.<ref name="EW"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://merqurious.wordpress.com/2011/12/22/must-watch-greg-holden-the-lost-boy/ |title=Must Watch: Greg Holden – The Lost Boy |date= 22 December 2011 |work=merqurious}}</ref> Holden recorded it and released as a charity single on 20 December 2011, and it became a hit for him in the Netherlands, topping the Dutch iTunes singles chart on Christmas Day and reaching No. 2 on the Dutch Top 40.<ref name="billboard">{{cite magazine |url=http://myblackguitar.com/gregholden/2012/06/08/billboard-magazine-interviews-greg/screen-shot-2012-06-08-at-13-55-10/ |author=Phil Gallo |title=Home is Where the Cash is |magazine=Billboard |date=8 June 2012 }}</ref> In December 2013, he released an official video for "The Lost Boy" after his album ''I Don't Believe You'' was re-released in the US when he became signed by Collective Sounds.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.cmtedge.com/2013/12/17/greg-holden-sees-the-world-with-the-lost-boy/ |title=Greg Holden Sees the World With "The Lost Boy" |author=Craig Shelburne |date=17 December 2013 |work=CMT Edge }}</ref><ref name="EW">{{cite magazine |url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2013/09/12/greg-holden-sons-of-anarchy-phillip-phillips/ |title=Singer-songwriter Greg Holden steps into the spotlight from behind Phillip Phillips and 'Sons of Anarchy' |author= Kyle Anderson |date= 12 September 2013 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly }}</ref>

The song "The Lost Boy" was featured in an episode of the TV show Sons of Anarchy in 2012, where it was used as the musical backdrop to the funeral procession of Opie Winston.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2012/10/02/sons-of-anarchy-opie-wake/ |title='Sons of Anarchy' recap: The Lost Boy |author= Mandi Bierly |date= 2 October 2012 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly }}</ref> In the following week debuted at No. 36 on the Billboard Rock Charts, selling over 20,000 copies.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ascap.com/eventsawards/events/sundance/2013/bios/greg-holden.aspx |title=Greg Holden |work= ASCAP}}</ref> Holden's single "I Need An Energy", which was released on 26 October 2012, is used on the soundtrack of the film, Chasing Mavericks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ianohio.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1181:greg-holdens-releases-official-music-video-for-qi-need-an-energyq&catid=73:music&Itemid=417 |title=Greg Holden's Releases Official Music Video For "I Need An Energy" }}</ref>

Holden has toured throughout Europe and the United States as a headliner. The Dutch leg of his 2012 European tour sold out months in advance. He has also toured with A Great Big World, BOY, The Lone Bellow, and Jukebox the Ghost.<ref name="EW"/><ref name="emoatheart"/>

===="Home"==== In 2012, Holden became known in the United States for "Home", a song he co-wrote with Drew Pearson. The song was picked by ''American Idol'' mentor Jimmy Iovine for Phillip Phillips as his coronation song for the final of the show's season 11.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/idol-worship/american-idol-phillip-phillips-coronation-song-home-327974 |title = 'American Idol': The Story Behind Phillip Phillips' Coronation Song (Exclusive) |author=Shirley Halperin |publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|date=22 May 2012 |accessdate=26 May 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.americansongwriter.com/2012/05/the-ballad-of-phillip-phillps/ |title=The Ballad of Phillip Phillips |author=Marissa R. Moss |work= American Songwriter |date=24 May 2012 }}</ref> The song quickly topped the US iTunes singles chart and became the best-selling song by an ''American Idol'' alum with over 5 million copies sold.<ref name="Yahoo Chart Watch 03-27-2013">{{cite news|title=Chart Watch Extra: Phillips Takes Idol Title |url=http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/chart-watch-extra-phillips-takes-idol-title-145031876.html |last=Grein |first=Paul |work=Chart Watch |publisher=Yahoo |date=27 March 2013 |accessdate=27 March 2013}}</ref> In 2014, "Home" was named one of the most performed pop songs of 2013 by ASCAP,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ascap.com/eventsawards/awards/popawards/2014/most_peformed_songs.aspx |title=Most Performed Songs |work=ASCAP |access-date=1 November 2014 |archive-date=24 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224153303/http://www.ascap.com/eventsawards/awards/popawards/2014/most_peformed_songs.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> and Holden also performed "Home" at the 2014 ASCAP Award Ceremony.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/tom-petty-fun-max-martin-honored-at-ascap-pop-awards-6069769/ |title=Tom Petty, Fun., Max Martin Honored at ASCAP Pop Awards|author= Phil Gallo |date= April 24, 2014 |magazine=Billboard }}</ref>

=== 2015: ''Chase the Sun'' === In 2014, Holden worked with Greg Wells to record a new album.<ref name="emoatheart">{{cite web |url=http://www.emoatheart.com/post/89964905768/interview-greg-holden |title=Interview: Greg Holden |date=June 21, 2014 |work=Emo at Heart }}</ref> He signed a record deal with Warner Brothers, and the new album, ''Chase the Sun'', was released on 14 April 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/countygrind/2015/02/singer_greg_holden_is_a_scotsman_with_a_heart_of_gold_interview_2015_charities.php |title=Singer Greg Holden Is a Scotsman With a Heart of Gold |author=Ashley Zimmerman |date=12 February 2015 |work=Broward/Palm Beach New Times |access-date=12 February 2015 |archive-date=12 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212201621/http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/countygrind/2015/02/singer_greg_holden_is_a_scotsman_with_a_heart_of_gold_interview_2015_charities.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was preceded by the single "Hold On Tight",<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.baeblemusic.com/musicblog/6-10-2015/know-whos-next-greg-holden.html |title=Know Who's Next: Greg Holden|date=10 June 2015 | author= Becky Foinchas |work=Baeble Music }}</ref> which debuted in the Triple A chart April 2015.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/tomorrows-hits-ryn-weaver-galantis-greg-holden/ |title=Tomorrow's Hits: Ryn Weaver, Galantis & Greg Holden|date= April 10, 2015 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref> The single was released on 27 January 2015, and its video on 18 February 2015. The album also includes "Boys in the Street", which was written after he was asked by Everyone Is Gay, an organization that supports LGBTQ youth, to contribute to their 2014 fundraiser compilation, ''The Gayest Compilation Ever Made II''.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://time.com/3929658/greg-holden-boys-in-the-street/ |title=How Greg Holden Did Gay Acceptance Right on 'Boys in the Street'|author=Nolan Feeney|date= June 23, 2015 |magazine=Time }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.yahoo.com/music/greg-holden-goes-from-home-to-the-street-with-116664615126.html |title = Greg Holden Goes From 'Home' to 'Street' With Touching Gay Rights Anthem |author=Lyndsey Parker|date=April 17, 2015 |work=Yahoo! Music}}</ref>

Holden co-wrote three songs on A Great Big World's sophomore album ''When The Morning Comes'' (which was released on 13 November 2015): ''All I Want Is Love'', ''The Future's Right In Front Of Me'' and ''When The Morning Comes''. === 2019: ''World War Me'' === Holden was dropped by Warner Bros Records in late 2017 just before he was due to record his fourth album. He decided to record the album himself in his home studio in Los Angeles, and the album ''World War Me'' was released in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://performermag.com/new-music-and-video/interviews-and-features/greg-holden-takes-us-inside-the-recording-of-world-war-me/ |title=Greg Holden Takes Us Inside the Recording of 'World War Me' |first= Greg|last= Holden |date=6 May 2019 |work=Performer }}</ref> He wrote five of the songs on the album with Garrison Starr, and recorded all the songs himself except for “On the Run” which was recorded by Butch Walker, with whom he had originally intended to record the album.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://substreammagazine.com/2019/03/interview-gh-wwm/ |title=INTERVIEW: Greg Holden discusses 'World War Me' and its political message|first= Brad |last=LaPlante |date=29 March 2019 |work=Substream Magazine }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sideways-media.com/news-updates/2019/4/1/greg-holden-releases-world-war-me |title=Greg Holden Releases World War Me|date=29 March 2019 |work=Sideways }}</ref>

==Discography==

===Albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;" | Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:25em;" | Album details !colspan="1"|Peak chart positions !rowspan="2"|Notes |- !NL Top 40 <ref name=DutchTop40>{{cite web|url=http://www.dutchcharts.nl/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Greg+Holden |title=Greg Holden in the Dutch Top 40 |language=Dutch |work=dutchcharts.nl |accessdate=22 May 2012}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"|''A Word in Edgeways'' | *Released: 19 February 2009 *Label: Falling Art Recordings *Formats: digital download |align="center"|- | |- ! scope="row"|''I Don't Believe You'' | *Released: 31 May 2011, 30 September 2013 *Label: Falling Art Recordings, Collective Sounds *Formats: CD (2013), digital download (2011, 2013) | |align="center"| Re-released in 2013 |- ! scope="row"|''I Don't Believe You'' (Acoustic Version) | *Released: 13 March 2012 *Label: Falling Art Recordings *Formats: CD, digital download |align="center"|22 | |- ! scope="row"|''Chase the Sun'' | *Released: 14 Apr 2015 *Label: Warner Bros *Formats: CD, digital download | | |- ! scope="row"|''World War Me'' | * Released 29 March 2019 * Label: Falling Art Music * Formats: CD, Vinyl, Digital | | |- |}

===EPs=== *2007: ''Run, Don't Walk'' *2009: ''Sing for the City''

===Singles=== {| class="wikitable" !rowspan="2"|Year !rowspan="2"|Title !colspan="4"|Peak chart positions !rowspan="2"|Album |- !US Rock <ref>{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=Greg Holden|chart=Rock Songs}} |title=Greg Holden Album & Song Chart History: "Billboard Hot Rock Songs"|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc}}</ref> !US AAA !NL Top 40 <ref>[http://www.top40.nl/greg-holden/greg-holden-the-lost-boy_22264 Top40.nl: greg Holden - "The Lost Boy" song page]</ref> !NL Single Top 100 <ref name=top100>[http://dutchcharts.nl/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Greg+Holden DutchCharts.nl - Single Top 100 - Greg Holden page discography]</ref> |- |2011 |"The Lost Boy" |align="center"|36 |align="center"| — |align="center"|15 |align="center"|2 |align="center" rowspan="1"|Non-album song |- |2015 |"Hold On Tight" |align="center"| — |align="center"| 15 |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center" rowspan="1"|''Chase the Sun'' |- |2016 |"Exactly Like You"<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.30days30songs.com/42 | title=Greg Holden - 30 Days, 30 Songs | website=30 Days 30 Songs | accessdate=June 23, 2020}}</ref> |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center"| — |align="center" rowspan="1"|''30 Days, 50 Songs'' |- |}

;Others *2012: "I Need an Energy" (on soundtrack of film ''Chasing Mavericks'') *2015: "Boys in the Street" (in collective album ''The Gayest Compilation Ever Made II''. Also included in Holden album ''Chase the Sun'')

===Songwriting=== *2011: "Home" (Phillip Phillips song, appearing in Phillips' album ''The World from the Side of the Moon'') *2015: "When the Morning Comes" (title track) / "All I Want Is Love" / "The Future's Right in Front of Me" (3 tracks on A Great Big World's second album ''When the Morning Comes'' released 13 November 2015)

==References== {{Reflist|2}}

==External links==

===websites=== *[http://gregholdenonline.com/ Official website] *[https://www.youtube.com/user/gdholden Greg Holden's YouTube Channel]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Holden, Greg}} Category:1983 births Category:21st-century English singers Category:Alumni of the University of Lancashire Category:English male songwriters Category:Living people Category:Musicians from Aberdeen Category:Musicians from Lancashire Category:People from Methlick Category:People from Morecambe Category:People from Leyland, Lancashire Category:21st-century English male singers