After a successful tour with ’80s pop sensation Tiffany, the Fort Worth-based classic rock band, the McGrath Project, is gearing up for another exciting journey alongside the legendary rock group Nazareth. The band recently celebrated the release of their fourth album, Closet Full of Skeletons, and will kick off their new tour on Wednesday, May 27, with a performance at the House of Blues in Dallas. Following this, they will continue their tour at House of Blues venues in Houston and New Orleans.
Gary McGrath, the driving force behind the band, has an impressive history in the music industry. Having worked as a recording engineer in Los Angeles, he has collaborated with notable artists such as Peter Tork of The Monkees, Manny Charlton of Nazareth, Spencer Davis of the Spencer Davis Group, and Mel McDaniel of Devo. Reflecting on his career, McGrath shares, “I keep up with them all to this day, so 26 years now of being a session musician, engineer, and a live full-on player just living the dream.”
With a background that includes performances alongside rock legends like Phil X from Bon Jovi and Gilby Clarke from Guns ’N Roses, McGrath has carved out a niche as a recognizable figure in the music scene. He expresses his excitement for touring, stating, “Being on any ‘real’ tour is great. One-off shows and local shows are fun, but it’s like a tease. You put in all this time and effort, and after 30 to 40 minutes, you’re done. This allows us to do multiple nights, and the reward is playing for current fans and friends, making new ones who would otherwise never hear of you.”
The McGrath Project boasts a unique sound that McGrath describes as a “heavy, jazzified rock group.” The band features McGrath on vocals and guitar, his wife Breeawna McGrath on vocals, Devin Littlepage on bass, Bruce Logan on drums, and Dean Minnerly on keys. Locally, they have performed at various venues, including Blue Bayou near Eagle Mountain Lake and Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall in the Stockyards.
The new album, Closet Full of Skeletons, was recorded with Eric Delegard at Reel Time Audio and Bart Rose at Fort Worth Sound, known for their work with bands like Toadies and Bowling for Soup. McGrath took the reins on mixing and mastering at his own studio, 4818 Records, located on White Settlement Road.
Looking ahead, McGrath expresses a desire to continue writing, recording, and performing, humorously noting that he wants to avoid the booking side of the industry. He shares his passion for songwriting, saying, “I want to write a song that touches people. If it happens to be relatable for someone else, amazing, and when I get told someone likes my stuff, it really is the most beautiful thing. It’s like, ‘You like this? Holy crap! I’m so honored!’” He acknowledges the selectivity of music listeners, emphasizing the honor it brings him when someone appreciates his work.
The McGrath Project will perform at 6 PM on Wednesday, May 27, alongside Nazareth at the House of Blues located at 2200 N Lamar St, Dallas. Tickets are priced at $53. For more information, call 817-514-5855.
