Rising Stars: Meet Frank Grimaldi of Waterford

Today we’d like to introduce you to Frank Grimaldi.

Hi Frank, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Music was always a huge part of my life. When I was 10 my parents bought every Beatles record on cd for the family. My sister Gabrielle, my father, and I bonded over our love for those records. The next December, I got a green Squier Stratocaster guitar and started learning to play from A Beatles guitar book! That year for Christmas, my dad bought me all the led zeppelin records and a few Hendrix albums, and that was it for me. I wanted to be a guitar player. In the 8th grade, I formed my first band, and we played the ocean at the school’s tall talent show. I loved being on stage. I was in bands from then on; my first steady group was called the counter-culture. We played old-school rock covers and eventually started writing our music. We were 15, playing in bars and clubs. It was an Amazing time. That group stayed together until I was 22; I started as the frontman for a dirty basement blues band. Dirty Basement won the 2014 Detroit blues society blues challenge, and we went on to represent Detroit in Memphis at the international booted blues challenge. Upon our return, we put our first album out to much success. The album was nominated for multiple Detroit music awards, and me for being nominated for best blues vocalist 3 years running. (I never won!). Dbb was lucky to have opened for Devon Allman, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Anna Popovic, the southern royal brotherhood, and .38 Special. At age 25, I decided to put myself through business school at Walsh College, where I earned an undergraduate degree in accountancy. During that time, I worked full-time as a janitor and was a driving force in 2 bands, Dirty Basement Blues And the newly formed Slowfoot, where I played guitar and Singing lead vocal. Slowfoot became my main focus after graduating. After playing all over Michigan, including opening for Steppenwolf, Eric gales. Gary Hoey and other great acts, we decided to put our debut album out. “Something Good” is the culmination of my musical work, featuring 11 songs (10 original). This was the first record I could be in the driver’s seat. I am very excited about the future of Slowfoot and my musical career, as well as my career in accounting!

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been smooth?
Nothing worth doing is ever easy! My largest obstacle has been putting myself through school and graduating with no student debt, between that and self-funding all of my musical endeavors.

Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a singer in a rock and roll band. I am known for my vocal ability and passionate performances. I put my entire being into my music if I’m playing in front of 10 or 1000 people. I am most proud of my tenacity and that I won’t give up on something I want. What sets me apart is my drive, ambition, and willingness to implement plans.

We’d like to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
I think luck has been on my side. With music, it’s about being in the right place at the right time to meet the right person for the right opportunity. But that being said, you have to be personable and see the best in people to have relationships and opportunities come to fruition in any industry.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Www.instagram.com/slowfootmi
• Facebook: Www.facebook.com/slowfootband
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@slowfootmichigan2475

Image Credits
Shelley Conley Jeff Grossklaus Kathy Hyde Ruzan Missy Patterson Chyrisse Tabone