Michael Grain - Open Road | Super rare AOR Gem from 1986

"This artist and song are fictional, created with love for the music we adored in the '80s. This short story is entirely made up, and any real names or references to tour partners are purely imagined-although Michael Grain surely would have loved to tour with these legends had he existed..."
The Unlikely Solo Journey of Michael Grain
Michael Grain was an unexpected name to emerge in the AOR scene, but it wasn’t by accident. Grain, who had made his mark as the frontman of the powerful Midwest rock outfit Southern Steel, was best known for his deep, soulful voice that carried the weight of the American heartland and a touch of Southern rock. His early days were rooted in the rich, southern-fried rock culture, and few could imagine him breaking away from that gritty, guitar-driven sound. But one A&R man at Monarch Records had other plans.
A Dream Realized: The Vision of Tony Kincaid
Tony Kincaid, one of Monarch’s passionate A&R representatives, had been dreaming for years of taking Michael's voice in a different direction. Kincaid had a deep love for AOR and was convinced that Grain’s voice could soar in a more melodic rock setting. After years of persistence, Kincaid finally convinced Michael to take a chance on a solo record, promising him the best budget and production support Monarch could offer.
With the backing of the red-hot producer Tommy DeVere, who was fresh off a string of chart-topping albums, and a studio packed with the finest session musicians money could buy, the result was nothing short of spectacular. The album, Back To Square One, became a rich blend of power and melody, bringing out a side of Michael that many had never heard before.
The Breakout Hits: "Open Road" and "Stranger In My Hometown"
Although Monarch brought in an array of top songwriters for the project, it was ironically Michael’s own songs that made the biggest splash on the radio. The tracks "Open Road" and "Stranger In My Hometown," both penned by Michael, quickly became fan favorites, receiving heavy airplay, especially on Midwestern and East Coast rock stations. These songs perfectly encapsulated the blend of his rock roots with the polished, melodic sheen of AOR.
A Tour with the Best in the Business
Michael soon hit the road, touring with Monarch labelmates Jake Stone and Latitude. Audiences loved his commanding stage presence, and he drew solid crowds throughout the tour. His big break came when he was invited to open for Rick Springfield and Michael Bolton, who had just released Everybody's Crazy. Sharing the stage with such icons was a high point in Michael's career, even if Back To Square One never quite reached commercial superstardom. The album garnered critical acclaim, with Kerrang! Magazine calling it, "a perfect marriage of power and melody," while Rock Scene Weekly described Michael’s voice as, "tailor-made for AOR."
Return to His Roots and a New Chapter
Despite the success of his solo venture, Michael found himself drawn back to his roots. His old band, Southern Steel, received an offer from a major label, and Michael couldn't resist reuniting with them. Unfortunately, the market for melodic southern rock was fading by the late ‘80s, and the band was dropped after one album.
Michael continued his solo career, playing live shows that combined his solo material with tracks from his years in Southern Steel. Audiences appreciated his versatility and the way he effortlessly moved between genres.
Today, Michael resides in Nashville, where he's been for the past 20 years, writing hit songs for established country artists. While he's been asked numerous times to record another AOR album in the vein of Back To Square One, Michael remains hesitant. In his words, "If I can’t top it, there’s no point. That album was lightning in a bottle."
#AOR #MelodicRock #MichaelGrain #BackToSquareOne #80sRock #MonarchRecords #SouthernRock #RickSpringfield #MichaelBolton #JakeStone #Latitude #NashvilleSongwriter #RockMusicHistory #ClassicRock #FictionalBands #Storytelling #80sMusic #RetroRock #SessionMusicians #TommyDeVere #TonyKincaid #RadioHits

[@KevinWijeyawardana]

Here we go!!Perfectly captures the essence of AOR with its soaring vocals, lush melodies, and intricate instrumentation. It’s a timeless anthem that transports you back to the golden era of rock❤❤❤❤

[@LeoraVukovic]

Lijep spoj vokala i muzike tecna pjevljiva numera