Singer, songwriter, and guitarist Greg Bates was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. He grew up with country music, from songwriter rounds to charity nights to local dances, and he quickly developed the chops as a writer and singer to fit right in with that city's long and cherished musical history. Influenced by George Strait, Randy Travis, Alan Jackson, and Dwight Yoakam, the so-called new traditionalists of the '90s, Bates made his debut appearance at the Grand Ole Opry in April of 2012. With Bates now signed to Republic Nashville, his debut single, the Jimmy Ritchey-produced "Did It for the Girl," hit the airwaves later that same month, with a full album, also produced by Ritchey, slated to follow. ~ Steve Leggett