Saints Eleven (led by Jeff Grossman) – catching on fast!

You want to be captivated and mesmerized during a show? Look no further than Jeff Grossman and Saints Eleven. Saints Eleven is really a band that combines a mixture of blues and southern rock along with a Honky Tonk style that gives fans an unique sound from the bluesy “Man in the Water” to a southern rock twist on a country classic. Saints Eleven gives fans a taste for all to enjoy while putting on a high-energy show that all leaves fans talking for days and months to come. Saints Eleven includes Jeff Grossman on lead vocals, rhythm/lead guitar, lap steel, and dobro; Jeff Mosley on bass and upright bass; Chris Bradley on drums; and Michael Poole on fiddle. With the impending release of the band’s sophomore album, I Told You, set to be released in February of 2015, these boys are definitely going to be force on this scene for years to come.

I recently had a chance to interview Jeff Grossman of Saints Eleven to get a little insight into the man and the band.

1 – Tell us a little bit about who you are?

Well, I’m just a normal guy that likes to work hard and has a strong passion for music.

2 – How did you decide to give music a try?

I’m not real sure. I started taking guitar lessons at the young age of 10. Music was a big part of my family. It just seemed like the normal thing to do.

3 – Who were your musical influences growing up ?

My kinfolk growing up. My parents grew up in Robinson Texas, just south of Waco. When we went down to visit my dad’s side of the family, we went out to dance halls. Back then, kids were allowed in with the parents. I would always sit on the side of the stage and just be in awe of the band that was playing. That’s where I got my honky tonk influence.

When we visited my mom’s side of the family, it was my mom’s cousins and uncles sitting around the living room pickin’ and singin’ gospel or bluegrass tunes.

4 – Can you tell the fans about your musical style?

It’s really a melting pot of different styles. Blues, Southern Rock, Honky Tonk and Bluegrass. I love the fact that we live in Texas and can just simplify that by just calling it Texas Country!

5- How do you like to interact do with your fans?

Any way we can really, but I prefer to see their butts at shows and visit with them face to face.

6-What was the first song you ever learned?

I know I’m showing my age a little, but I think every guitar player back in the day started off by learning “Smoke on the Water.” Probably because it was the easiest thing to learn and sound like you’re playing a real tune.

7 – Can you tell fans what they should expect when attending one of your shows?

We play every show likes it’s our last show. When people come to a show, it could be the first time they’ve seen us. It usually is. We want to make sure they remember us. We work hard rehearsing to make sure we put on a good, solid, tight show.

8 – What is the one song that you love to perform live?

Probably “The Same” off our first record I’ll be Fine. Lot of our fans love that song and it always gets people on the dance floor.

9 – Do you prefer to play small venues or bigger venues?

Festivals really, but it doesn’t really matter. We just like to play in front of people.

10 – If you could perform with anyone right now who would it be?

Dead – Buck Owens

Alive – Vince Gill

11 – What is your process for picking songs that may go on a album ?

I don’t really have one. I try to write good songs. When I start writing a song and it starts to sound like crap, I chunk it. I won’t try to polish a turd. Sometimes my vision doesn’t come to life until we get in the studio and I can the stuff I imagined being in the song, like banjo or dobro.

12 – Do you write your own material?

So far I have. We just finished our second album and I haven’t ran out of brain just yet.

13 – What inspires you to write a song?

Basically a mood or something that had just recently happened to me. I’ll kind of start singing about it. If the melody sounds good, I’ll roll with it.

14 – If you could record one song what would it be?

I’m not much of a Nashville guy, I wish I would of had the chance to record “Love Me Like Jesus Does” by Eric Church. I think that song have been huge in our scene.

15 – When making your first album, did you try to pattern it after any particular album you have heard and blend it with your own style?

No not really. I put all my different influences on that album. I just wanted to be myself and hope for the best. None of the songs sound the same and we’ve gotten great feedback from fans.

16 – Is there one artist that you are a current fan of?

I’m a big Jamey Johnson fan. I think he is way under-rated. He would make a killing in this scene.

17 – Are you signed exclusively with anyone right now ?

We just recently signed with Winding Road Music. Our new album will be the first one with them. We are really looking forward to working with them.

18 – What would you say is the biggest highlight of your career thus far?

Getting to meet Hal Ketchum when we played this year’s Shinerfest. I’ve been fortunate to meet a lot of the artists I’m fans of, but he was a good one….That last band I played lead guitar, we got to open for Bon Jovi at the AAC back in 2010. That was pretty cool.

19 – Where can fans go to find out more about you?

Our site, www.saintseleven.com will tell you just about everything you care to know. Check out music videos, buy CDs or Vinyls, check out our schedule, etc.

20- Where can fans purchase your music?

Just about any digital distribution site out there. We prefer they come to a show and buy a record or CD.

21 – What is on the horizon for you?

We release our sophomore album, I Told You, February 11. And release the first single off of it in the second week of January. It’s called “Turns to Rust.” Looking forward to getting back out on the road next year and promoting the new record.

— Well folks, ya’ll are doing yourselves a severe injustice If you don’t go to see Saints Eleven, ‘cause these guys are going to blow up big time. There are not too many bands that can be diversified musically and that you fans can actually enjoy. To me, these guys fit the bill..