The Pennsylvania-born-and-raised songwriter Greg Garing gained an appreciation for traditional country music, as well as Irish music, while growing up. However, it was seeing a performance by bluegrass legend Bill Monroe that spurred an 18-year-old Garing to leave his hometown of Erie and move to Nashville. Attempting to learn as much as possible, Garing had the opportunity to watch Monroe play often, even sitting in with him at times. He put together a band in 1993 that was playing honky tonk country when he was turned on to the music of artist like Garbage, PJ Harvey, and Tricky. Although his more traditional sound had attracted an audience and positive reviews, Garing began to incorporate more modern sounds with his earlier influences. Signed to a record deal with Atlantic, Garing released his debut, Alone (which included Mike Watt on bass), which also earned good press for its gritty, evocative style, but the record ultimately failed to make a commercial impact. By 2002, Garing had long since relocated to New York City where he was continuing to play. ~ Tom Demalon