Graham Whorley

For years, Charleston-based singer and electric/acoustic blues-rock guitarist
Graham Whorley has worked with various groups of musicians who understand his
soulful vibe and complex rock stylings. On the side, he's established himself as
a versatile solo live performer, too (his "loop shows" are a hoot).

- Charleston City Paper

"Great original song writing and a must listen for any local music fan…"

"One of Charleston's best!"
- earjingle.com

Graham Whorley
"State of Affairs"
(independent)

There must be something in the air up in Virginia. Listen to nearly any 10-second clip from Cavalier-state export Graham Whorley's solo debut, and the comparisons to Va.-based loop guitarist Keller Williams are immediate. Despite his very similar sound, Whorley is able to hold his own, fortunately, placing staccato acoustic riffs over groovable, rhythmic layers to create a diverse album of jams and ballads. Opening track "Sway" repeatedly asks, "Tell me what it is to make you act that way?" as Whorley loops his vocals, effectively harmonizing with himself. Insightful, pressing lyrics like, "Do you hear the cries and fears?/God has been missing for years," (on "God's Playpen") give credence to Whorley's sometimes strained and distant-sounding voice. He places the ballads early on the album, then breaks out the slide on "CC My Playmate" to get the blood flowing. "Cue" is a live recording from the Pour House, beginning with an almost haunting, anticipatory bass walk that he complements with steel drum-like layered solos higher on his guitar's neck. By "Diablo Senorita," a song with a riff reminiscent of Phish's "First Tube," the album has picked up enough to get people off the couch and dancing. Title track "State of Affairs" closes the disc, utilizing audio clips from President Bush defending his disregard of the Geneva Convention ("Outrages upon human dignity? That's very vague."), with heavy drums and bass giving emphasis to the implications of those words. Whorley's done a good job here, utilizing samples and showing off his guitar and loop expertise to put together a polished, solid presentation of his solo capabilities. See www.grahamwhorley.com for more. —

By Stratton Lawrence
The Charleston City Paper
(Jun 27, 2007)
- The Charleston City Paper

A WHORLEY-ING DERVISH
By Paul Grimshaw
For Weekly Surge
July 25, 2007

Fans of live music along the Grand Strand and also Charleston are no strangers to the name Graham Whorley. He's been bringing his band (The Graham Whorley Band) and his solo act to area clubs for a decade. The 32 year-old singer/songwriter/guitar phenom does what he must to support his family and has the privilege of plying his trade to do so. "I have two little ones," said Whorley from the Santee residence of his in-laws during a rare and short vacation. "I want to be able to give them what I didn't have. Raven is seven and Taylor is eleven. This break has been great - the pool, the hot tub..."

The driving force behind his brutal 280-shows-per-year schedule is the support of his family, which also includes his full-time booking agent and wife Keli Whorley. "She took over [booking] about a year and half ago and it's been such a burden lifted off of me. We [his band] are in the studio a lot and with all the travel...it was too much." Roughly 70 percent of his dates are solo performances, where his prolific writing ability and guitar playing are showcased. Josh Quigley of Quigley's Pint & Plate in Pawleys Island was so enamored by Whorley and his band that he has a steady commitment to having him at his pub at least once a month. "When you see someone that talented, you want people to enjoy it with you," said Quigley from the Pub via phone. "We're trying to find things that are new and different for the area," he continued. "And Graham is one of the most talented musicians I've ever seen."

The Charleston-based Whorley will bring his solo act to Quigley's from 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. Friday in support of his first full-length CD project, the 13-track "State of Affairs." The self-produced album had sold 300 copies before its May 2007 release date. "It was crazy how fast these things went," said Whorley. "We ordered another 500 copies and those are almost gone as well." The project can be sampled and purchased at CDbaby.com, or www.grahamwhorley.com. A mix of Dave Matthews, Ry Cooder and Leon Russell, Whorley's music is earthy, bluesy and all his own. Music video samples, courtesy of embedded YouTube links, allow visitors to his site to sample his eclectic fare. "I studied classical music when I was a kid for like three months, but I'm into all kinds of stuff - Gypsy grooves, jazz, blues...I'll play a few covers but they're usually ones that no one else does - maybe Leo Kottke or [Pink] Floyd."

It's not just about the music. Whorley is on a mission - inspired by the dedication of his sister Laura Williams, who passed away in 2005. "My sister passed away from ALS, Lou Gehrig's Disease. It was devastating to our whole family. Stem-cell research was very important to her, so we register voters at our shows. We don't make a big deal about it but getting the paper work done is half the battle with getting people to vote. Last year we registered 280 people and we hope to surpass that number this year. We raised $10,000 at a big show here in Charleston last year and gave half the money directly to fund ALS research and the rest to help with my sister's ridiculous medical expenses."

Charleston has been home to Whorley since the day he was standing in two feet of snow in Lynchburg, Va. and got a call from his sister in Charleston. "She said she was going to the beach that day and that was all it took. I moved my two dogs, a guitar and a trash bag full of clothes to Charleston." Whorley travels back to his home state occasionally and plays dates throughout the Southeast including a long-standing invite to play Foster's annual Beach Party and Christmas Party. Catch Whorley at Quigley's Pint & Plate, 257 Willbrook Blvd in the Mingo Shopping Center, Pawleys Island. Call 237-7010.

- The Weekly Surge- Myrtle Beach

"On "State of Affairs," Whorley's new CD, the musician gives plenty of examples as to why he is so respected locally. From the Dave Matthews-esque "Lonesome Child," to a live version of "Cue" recorded at the Pour House, this CD will appeal to jam-band aficionados looking for some great guitar playing, or even casual-music listeners looking for something that gets their attention... Grab the CD, but also make sure you get out to see Whorley live."

By Devin Grant
The Post and Courier
July 5th, 2007

- The Post and Courier