I just watched David Gray perform on Letterman. David Letterman pointed out that “White Ladder” has sold over one million copies. Which is something that I knew, but seeing it said on TV made it real, strangely. I don’t listen to the radio, but if I did, I imagine that I’d hear “Babylon” or "White Ladder” or something.
I’m surprisingly excited about this. He did it! I’m proud of the guy. I think it’s because I’ve got a sizable emotional investment in the Charlottesville music scene, and I irrationally think of David Gray as a local artist, probably because he’s signed to Dave, Tetz, and Michael’s label, ATO Records. I’m as proud as if Greg, John or Peter got really famous. (OK, so I’d be a little more excited in those cases, especially in the case of Peter, but whatever.) So I feel like Local Boy Makes Good or something. It helps that when I noticed Gray, you couldn’t even buy any of his albums in the U.S., so I feel all old-school.
Anyhow, I guess all of this sounds especially stupid if you’re familiar with David Gray. But, to me, he’s just this fantastic, fantastic musician that, against all odds for fantastic musicians, became famous. I think that’s wonderful.