Yankee Grey is 

Lyle Gudmunsen:  Lead Vocals and Acoustic Guitar

Joe Caverlee:  Fiddle and Vocals

Matthew Basford:  Lead Guitar and Vocals

Jerry Hughes:  Keyboards and Vocals

David Buchanan:  Bass and Vocals

Kevin Griffin:  Drums and Vocals

"Yankee Grey is a real band" says rock legend Edgar Winter. "The sound has a fresh, energetic innocence about it, an optimistic enthusiasm that just makes you feel really good." Clearly he knows what Yankee Grey’s multitude of other fans know—that the six members of Yankee Grey share a burning desire and abiding love for making music. That love for performing comes through loud and clear, whether it’s on Untamed, their debut CD on Monument Records, or in their stage show. With new lead singer, Lyle Gudmunsen, at the helm, Yankee Grey is committed more than ever to making great music!

Along with veterans Joe Caverlee, Matt Basford, Jerry Hughes, Kevin Griffin and Dave Buchanan, Yankee Grey cites a wide range of musical influences—everyone from Bill Monroe to Jean Luc Ponty. In addition, they share a bond that was tightly formed by years of touring the club circuit.

When Lyle joined the band as the year 2000 drew to a close, it was literally a dream come true for the North Dakota native. His musical background includes stints as a sideman for  Sherrie Austin, Carman and Clay Crosse, in addition to being one of Music City’s hottest demo singers.

"He’s a welcomed addition to the band," says Dave. "He has an incredible voice with great range that makes me work even harder to hit those high notes.

Kevin adds, "He’s a great guy. He’s been around the block a time or two like the rest of us, and can joke about it!"

"I sang a demo of a song called ‘Nothing Without Your Love’. The band heard the demo from the publishing company pitching them songs," explains Lyle. "They called their management and said ‘We want to find this guy.’ When they asked me to audition, I couldn’t believe it! I felt right from the very beginning, this is where I wanted to be."

Lyle learned quickly that there’s more to Yankee Grey than talent and showmanship. There is also an incredible sense of camaraderie.

"There’s always someone to lean on," says Dave.

"It’s so much better working as a group," Joe concurs. "There’s not one boss. Everybody works together."

Their band mates agree. "I’ve got five other guys to rely on," Jerry asserts. You get to know each other and how each other plays. It’s like mental telepathy. Kevin and I can tell what each other is going to do before we do it. We’re a band and I think that comes across. We get a lot more emotion."

Yankee Grey was playing the club circuit long before they got a record deal, so it’s no surprise that they’ve got fans in almost every city they’ve played. And it’s a fan base that is rapidly growing. "Our autograph line is growing every night." Kevin reveals. "We’re seeing people from 2 years old to 70 years old. They seemed to really enjoy the show because I think they can tell that we’re really enjoying ourselves."

And every once in a while, one of the guys will really connect with one individual in the crowd. "One night I saw myself in the audience," Matt says in amazement. "I saw this kid. He couldn’t have been more than 11 years old. We were playing this small fair where the audience could actually sit right on the stage. He just watched me the whole night and all he wanted was a guitar pick from me! You should have seen the look on his face when I handed it to him. I remember that . . . I remember being 11 years old, watching guys play guitar. It was larger than life! As long as that happens, I’ll always stay true to the music and the fans."

Even Lyle has discovered the welcoming arms of die-hard Yankee Grey fans. "I was warned about their brutal honesty," Lyle said. "I hear at almost every show from one or more of the fans, ‘We were really skeptical but were really happy to hear your new sound.’ We have also received many positive emails from the YG fans about the change."

On stage and on record, these six individuals become one. Yet on days off (and there aren’t many of those) they each have their separate interests.

"I’m a sports person—anything active. I guess that’s why I like things that go fast! Keeps your mind racing all the time. I really like to work out and play golf too." Dave says. He also confesses a passion for living on the edge. "I’ve always admired performance machines that do big things. I read in a recent motorcycle magazine about a jet-powered motorcycle that cost $150,000! If I had $150,001, I’d buy it and have $1 for gas. Stuff that goes fast like that really excites me. It’s very exhilarating!"

Joe has an enduring love for baseball and anything outdoors. When he has time off he’s likely to be at the batting cage or working out. "Anything to get my butt moving," he laughs. Except when the Cincinnati Reds are on TV. "Then the only moving I do is back and forth to the fridge!" Joe is also an avid hunter and fisherman. A couple of weeks each year no one seems to know where Joe is. He simply says, " I’ll be in the woods and I’ll call you when I get back!"

Lyle is also an avid sports fan and outdoorsman. "I love going to see the Predators and Titans play," he says enthusiastically. He also likes to get away on occasion. "I love the  outdoors, going skiing, and mountain biking or just getting away to a cabin on a lake."

Adopted as a child, Lyle also wants to be a positive influence for other youngsters. ‘One of my goals is to be a role model for kids who were adopted and are struggling with the fact that their parents couldn’t keep them." Lyle has found his own birth parents and happily developed a friendship with his birth mother. While the experience proved positive for him, he cautions other before embarking on a search. "I don’t recommend it for everyone. There’s always the possibility of a really big disappointment. For me, it answered a lot of questions."

Jerry enjoys the simple life. "I live about  40 miles out of town. I’ve got a tractor with which I mow and bush hog. I like doing stuff like that. I grew up on a farm in Ohio. He also has his hands full with a newborn, Michelle Rae, and a toddler, Jerry III. "We had a shortage of names around our house," he jokes. The pleasures of being with the family occupy the majority of Jerry’s life off the road.

Jerry will be able to give some parenting tips to Matt, who became a first-time father early last year. "I crave those days when my wife and I  can cook dinner, sit on the couch with TV trays and watch ‘Law and Order.’ That gets a little difficult when you have kids. But I wouldn’t change anything for the world, " says the doting dad. "She’s just starting to develop a little personality. I think the next year or two is going to be a real treat. I can’t wait! I think I can wait for the teenage years however," he adds with a chuckle.

Kevin also dreams of simple pleasure. "What I really like is finding a lake somewhere and taking the family out on a pontoon boat just to relax. Or just sneaking away with my wife. I don’t even want to hear our music playing!"

All those vacation plans will have to wait. With a second album underway and a non-stop touring schedule, Yankee Grey is comfortably claiming a place in the country music spotlight. Whether they’re in the studio or on stage, the six members of Yankee Grey are determined to enjoy life, make great music and keep on smiling.
 

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