(CTV – June 12 at 8 p.m.) Greg Gallello: “I want to put Grand Bend on the map”

Singer and Canadian Idol contestant Greg Gallello on Grand Bend beachLocal businessman wants to be the next Canadian Idol

Oakwood Inn pub
June 1 & 2
9 p.m. to 1 a.m.


Grand Bend native Greg Gallello owns and operates Little Gino’s, Yogen FrÜz, and Sam’s Playing Fields Batting Cages as well as performing live music in the area

Personal Style:
Really laid back. I grew up on the beach. My whole life has been about where the sand meets the water. Everything has been laid back, easygoing, good vibe.

Influences:
Musical influences would definitely be more modern. The Fray; they’re just throwing out hit after hit right now. It’s just a good feeling when I listen to their songs or when I play them myself. Jack Johnson, Ben Harper, Coldplay. Serious influences would even be anything from The Beatles, Billy Joel, Elton John.

What people can expect:
I want people to come with high expectations. I play to the crowd, and my repertoire ranges. I have all different age groups that I play to, so from 19 to 60 or 70. I play everything from 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s to more modern. I like to see other people having a good time and paying attention.

Interview and photos by Casey Lessard

Who makes you want to sing?
Myself. I just love singing. I’m singing all day long. There’s no particular one person who makes me want to sing. I sing because it’s my life.

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

What is your favourite music moment?
My newest favourite music moment was auditioning for Canadian Idol. Before that, I have a couple that have stayed in my mind and made me want to pursue music more. When I was 16, a friend of mine was in charge of Canada Day long weekend. We had around 40,000 to 45,000 people on the beach and I was asked to open up for the fireworks. Another one was hearing myself on the radio for the first time, on FM96. I was 19 at the time, and going out west after a summer here to pursue a music career. I called FM96 because I was driving out and thought it would be cool to go with someone. So I asked Jeff McArthur if he could do a shout out to anyone listening for anyone to go out West with me. He asked why I was doing that, and I told him I was a musician, a piano player, etc. He asked if I had a piano around. I said sure. He asked me to play Piano Man and I did a three-minute live piece on FM96 and asked if he could play it. I found out six months later that he kept it and was still playing it when I got back the next June every couple weeks.
Singer and Canadian Idol contestant Greg Gallello on Grand Bend beach
Where do you like to spend your time?
On the beach. Being a businessman and running four businesses here in the summer, I don’t get down there that often, but when I do, that’s where I do a lot of my writing and my brainstorming. All my music comes from the beach. When I’m down there, everything just feels right.

When do you think you will achieve what you want?
I’ve already achieved almost everything I want to. Everything above what I’m doing now is just an added bonus. I like to get back what I put out, and I’ve been putting out so much with my music that it just feels right how everything is coming back for me. You can always hope for more, right?

Why did you start performing?
It was fun. I’ve always just had that in me to want to perform in front of people. It always felt good. Growing up with two sisters and a brother, I was the one that always wanted the most attention and found any way I could to get it. It started out banging pots and pans, and turned into different instruments and singing.

You can track Greg Gallello’s progress on Canadian Idol starting June 5 at 8:30 p.m. on CTV.