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lone on stage with just a guitar and harmonica,
Bret can easily take charge of even the rowdiest
of crowds. In his element at Gruene Hall, Bret
attracts a large audience whenever he plays.  Migrating
south to Texas from Stroud, Oklahoma, Bret settled
in Canyon Lake and started making the rounds with
guitar in hand. Paying gigs were scarce but he
hung in there and slowly began to build a fan
base in the surrounding area. He sold copies of
a homemade tape he recorded in 1997 and started
writing songs for his next album.
Though a little rough around the
edges, the tape had several gems that Bret would
continue to polish in front of his new fans. "Honkin'
Out Some Hank," an ode to classic country
music, "She Caught Me Not Fishing,"
a hilarious tale about the lengths men will go
to get out of the house and "He Found Me,"
easily the best gospel song I've ever heard. Another
song on the tape, "Simple Life," tells
a story that will take your breath away. It's
about his grandfathers devotion to the family
farm and his satisfaction of raising his family
there. The song lyrics are simply spellbinding.
Bret is a simple man with simple tastes. He sits
on a wooden stool he built by hand, using no power
tools or nails. It looks brand new, though Bret
confesses that it's actually over ten years old.
With a song repertoire in the hundreds, he's rarely
stumped when fans call out requests. Though never
captured on tape, his version of "Me And
Bobby McGee" must be heard to be believed.
Without giving away the secret, it's an experience
you will never forget.
Bret soon decided it was time to
make a CD after the popularity of his 1997 tape.
He went on to record his next 4 CD's titled with
the year, 1998,1999,2000, and 2001. He also recorded
a gospel with his testimony song as the title,
He Found Me. What followed next was,Soldier,then
followed by his Christmas album,Merry Christmas
from Bret Graham.
When questioned about Nashville,
Bret admits that he too made the journey north
seeking fame and fortune. "Shortly after
arriving in town," remembers Bret, "I
met Gail Davies. She had just been hired as a
producer for Capitol Records. Her boss was Jimmy
Bowen and she'd heard me perform at the Bluebird
Cafe one night. I was invited over to Bowen's
house to play him a few songs. He was real nice,
took time to listen to my music. I think I played
about five songs. "She Caught Me Not Fishing"
was one of them. I can't really remember the other
ones I played. The music I have now is, I think,
actually stronger than the songs I had back then,
back in '90 when I met him."
Bret has no regrets about not being
signed by Bowen, simply chalking it up to one
of lifes many lessons. "I guess it just wasn't
meant to be." says Bret While a lucrative
music career is probably ever musicians dream,
Bret feels very comfortable with where his career
is at right now.
Bret is the regular MC at Gruene
Hall in Gruene Texas for their monthly Gospel
brunches.He shares the stage with the Silvertones,
a black gospel group from Austin Texas and Salina
Afrim from San Antonio. The legendary Buckner
Fanning delivers a word from God as church is
celebrated in the Oldest Dance Hall In Texas!
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