Grant Reitzel

There’s an organic ruggedness to Grant Reitzel’s much anticipated debut project “Helpless”, set to hit the streets October 2006. The 22 year old singer/songwriter from New Jersey layers his smooth, raspy vocals and effortless style against a rock edge that causes his audience to step in and take a closer listen. Just out of the studio with producer Kevin Stehm, Grant is going full force to make an impact on the Christian Music Industry and desires to bring something fresh, something new and something different.

Grant has a background that encompasses theatre, modeling and music. “From a young age I knew music was what I wanted to do. The infectious search for something new, something quenching is what captured me from the first time I hear music. Leading Worship is pretty much the reason I picked up the guitar. It has helped me develop my craft. When you lead worship three times a week and excellence is expected…then practice is required.”

Grant has quickly built a fan base with the youth and college-age listener during concerts with his band and as a worship leader over the past several years. “It is so refreshing to see such passion in an artist,” says A.E. owner Michelle Escobedo, who recently signed Grant to a management deal with the Dallas based company. Grant’s fresh approach has landed him shows with the U.S.O. at McGuire Air Force Base sharing the stage with Southside Johnny and Kerry McNally (Comedy Central); with his band on the boardwalk
stage at Seaside Heights during Christian Family Week; and a live performance on Christian station WJTL FM 90.3 where he debuted the title cut from Helpless. Reitzel patterns his acoustic guitar playing style after Phil Keaggy, but sites other musical influences like The Who, Bon Jovi, The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, Coldplay and The Foo Fighters.

Raised in a family of pastors, evangelists and missionaries, Grant attributes his father as a continuing influence with “anything that has to do with dreaming and then backing up that dream.” Heart, talent and tenacity are his hallmarks—Grant is, without a doubt, the “total package”.