the BGP

A few weeks back I had the opportunity to sit down with The BGP backstage at their homecoming show at The Crocodile in The Emerald City. The band recently performed and Elton John classic, Bennie & The Jets in front of a national TV audience on NBC’s Americas Got Talent. They opened for the pop and soul sensations, Fitz and The Tantrums this past October at the Crocodile.

The BGP (Brandon Ghorley Project) knows how to craft tasty yet complex pop and R&B songs that sound great on record but the songs really come to life in a live setting. At the Crocodile show this month Brandon Ghorley wore his passion on his sleeve as he and his tight band took the crowd on a blue eyed soul journey.

Leader and BGP name sake Brandon Ghorley's movie idol looks, smooth voice, natural charisma and stage presence makes for a very fun energetic and entertaining show. This is a person that clearly loves his job as a total entertainer. This band is a must see live act and is destined for great things in the future.

Not only are these cats great musical artists but they are good people and devoted fathers and husbands. They put on a killer show in front of their hometown fans. The best is yet to come from this blue eyed soul outfit. - Seattle Music Insider

A few weeks back I had the opportunity to sit down with The BGP backstage at their homecoming show at The Crocodile in The Emerald City. The band recently performed and Elton John classic, Bennie & The Jets in front of a national TV audience on NBC’s Americas Got Talent. They opened for the pop and soul sensations, Fitz and The Tantrums this past October at the Crocodile.

The BGP (Brandon Ghorley Project) knows how to craft tasty yet complex pop and R&B songs that sound great on record but the songs really come to life in a live setting. At the Crocodile show this month Brandon Ghorley wore his passion on his sleeve as he and his tight band took the crowd on a blue eyed soul journey.

Leader and BGP name sake Brandon Ghorley's movie idol looks, smooth voice, natural charisma and stage presence makes for a very fun energetic and entertaining show. This is a person that clearly loves his job as a total entertainer. This band is a must see live act and is destined for great things in the future.

Not only are these cats great musical artists but they are good people and devoted fathers and husbands. They put on a killer show in front of their hometown fans. The best is yet to come from this blue eyed soul outfit. - Seattle Music Insider

I try to make it a habit not to repeat bands when I do my song of the day thing. But the word "try" indicates the possibility of failure, and today I fail in grand fashion. You're welcome.

The BGP, is one of those bands that could forever stay a local heavy hitter, or with the right break, and a great song or two, could really make some well deserved noise. And I think this song is one helluva step in the right direction. It might even be the best hook of the year.

Now, from what I understand, this song was written in the aftermath of being cut for America's Got Talent, and as sad as that experience must have been for the fella's, I hope they get cut from more and more competitions, if the end results are songs like this one.

That hook! My God. That hook. So choice.

Now, for the fun and games. I am honored that the band has allowed to share this song with you. I implore you to click the link below, and get this song for yourselves. It's free, as long as you share the link on your Facebook or Twitter. Support Local Music! - Listologies

I try to make it a habit not to repeat bands when I do my song of the day thing. But the word "try" indicates the possibility of failure, and today I fail in grand fashion. You're welcome.

The BGP, is one of those bands that could forever stay a local heavy hitter, or with the right break, and a great song or two, could really make some well deserved noise. And I think this song is one helluva step in the right direction. It might even be the best hook of the year.

Now, from what I understand, this song was written in the aftermath of being cut for America's Got Talent, and as sad as that experience must have been for the fella's, I hope they get cut from more and more competitions, if the end results are songs like this one.

That hook! My God. That hook. So choice.

Now, for the fun and games. I am honored that the band has allowed to share this song with you. I implore you to click the link below, and get this song for yourselves. It's free, as long as you share the link on your Facebook or Twitter. Support Local Music! - Listologies

People, please you need to WAKE UP right now. A band by the name THE BGP reigning from Seattle, WA, has set foot on the music scene and is ready to clear everybody from the way of getting to the top. When I first heard their sound, an image came together for me. The culmination of strings and drums is perfect and flows right with the smooth vocals from lead singer Brandon Ghorley.

THE BGP is the next big thing and their album entitled Love and Rent goes beyond the normal mainstream radio the ordinary citizen is use to. The album takes you on a a ride through experiences of love and journeys wrapped with the amazing production from the band including Dustin Blatnik and Josh D. I give the album a perfect 10/10 and it comes out August 2, 2010 on iTunes and Zune so mark your calendars folks. Remember, this album is spectacular and be sure to go out and support Seattle’s finest.

- Moontalk Music

During the 2009 audition by The BGP (AKA The Brandon Ghorley Project) for America's Got Talent, the group's energetic pop with soulful flourishes immediately impressed the judges, leading one to declare that lead vocalist Ghorley was a star. However, the AGT journey for this trio was cut short before the quarter final stages. It was a tough pill for a band that has paid years worth of dues in a city that is not exactly recognized as a major urban music Mecca . This Seattle based band may not be considered a soul/R&B act in the purest sense, yet The BGP's slant on the sweet suburban soul that brought Daryl Hall & John Oates and Steely Dan to the Top Forty forefront provides a pleasant alternative to the more dominating angst rock sounds from fellow Seattleites Modest Mouse.

The BGP's second full-length disc, Love and Rent, presents their distinct hodgepodge of organic pop with occasional rock hooks and several dashes of urban grooves for good measure. "On My Hill" boasts a semi-acoustic arrangement that has the possibilities of fitting in on rhythmic R&B radio. Ghorley's unleashes his soulful vocal swagger, capped with a stunning falsetto, recalling the seventies funk era on songs like "One of Those Things" and "Songs for The Working Man." "Saw a Blue Jay" bridges those swinging pop and soul grooves reminiscent of Hall & Oates' "Maneater" and Stevie Wonder's "Part Time Lover." But Love and Rent's crème-de-la-crème belongs to "Name," an intense ballad with plenty of meaty substance like those delivered by male R&B vocal bands (Jodeci, Dru Hill) throughout the nineties.

Overall, The BGP is onto something with Love and Rent; thanks to an immensely attractive package of sophisticated pop and soul. Regardless of the outcome on a reality show like America's Got Talent, The BGP's zeal as musicians has already established them as the real musical deal.

Music: 3.5 stars Vocals: 3.5 stars Lyrics: 3.0 stars Production: 3.0 stars SoulTracks Call: Highly Recommended

By Peggy Oliver - SoulTracks

During the 2009 audition by The BGP (AKA The Brandon Ghorley Project) for America's Got Talent, the group's energetic pop with soulful flourishes immediately impressed the judges, leading one to declare that lead vocalist Ghorley was a star. However, the AGT journey for this trio was cut short before the quarter final stages. It was a tough pill for a band that has paid years worth of dues in a city that is not exactly recognized as a major urban music Mecca . This Seattle based band may not be considered a soul/R&B act in the purest sense, yet The BGP's slant on the sweet suburban soul that brought Daryl Hall & John Oates and Steely Dan to the Top Forty forefront provides a pleasant alternative to the more dominating angst rock sounds from fellow Seattleites Modest Mouse.

The BGP's second full-length disc, Love and Rent, presents their distinct hodgepodge of organic pop with occasional rock hooks and several dashes of urban grooves for good measure. "On My Hill" boasts a semi-acoustic arrangement that has the possibilities of fitting in on rhythmic R&B radio. Ghorley's unleashes his soulful vocal swagger, capped with a stunning falsetto, recalling the seventies funk era on songs like "One of Those Things" and "Songs for The Working Man." "Saw a Blue Jay" bridges those swinging pop and soul grooves reminiscent of Hall & Oates' "Maneater" and Stevie Wonder's "Part Time Lover." But Love and Rent's crème-de-la-crème belongs to "Name," an intense ballad with plenty of meaty substance like those delivered by male R&B vocal bands (Jodeci, Dru Hill) throughout the nineties.

Overall, The BGP is onto something with Love and Rent; thanks to an immensely attractive package of sophisticated pop and soul. Regardless of the outcome on a reality show like America's Got Talent, The BGP's zeal as musicians has already established them as the real musical deal.

Music: 3.5 stars Vocals: 3.5 stars Lyrics: 3.0 stars Production: 3.0 stars SoulTracks Call: Highly Recommended

By Peggy Oliver - SoulTracks

What’s NEW and What’s NEXT? Continuing on the white hot streak of Seattle musicians featured on this site, THE BGP are tipping the cow right over.

Heading to Austin this month to perform at SXSW, Seattle’s upbeat “blue-eyed soul” band THE BGP has a reputation of electrifying live performances, packed houses, and often jumping onstage and performing with other local acts from Seattle’s tight-knit music community. Recently touring with bands like the break-out stars Fitz and the Tantrums, Ernie Halter, and Allen Stone, the BGP is known for free-styling lyrics and ridiculous musicianship.

THE BGP chose select blogs to give away a free download of “Name” from their recent release Love & Rent and RadioPotato was one of the lucky few! Be sure to catch them at SXSW and follow them on Twitter and Facebook. In the meantime, download the pop-infused bluesy track (the little “down” arrow on the right) and enjoy! - Radio Potato

"These guys are going somewhere!" - The Marty Riemer Show

"These guys are going somewhere!" - The Marty Riemer Show

"...on stage they have a child-like energy."

"We were happily surprised by [THE BGP]..." - The SEATTLest

"...on stage they have a child-like energy."

"We were happily surprised by [THE BGP]..." - The SEATTLest

"THE BGP sounds really really good live. Refreshing to hear." - Evening Magazine

"THE BGP sounds really really good live. Refreshing to hear." - Evening Magazine

The BGP make intriguing pop music. Much of this music sounds like Hall & Oates, but in the best possible way.

All three of these songs are sung soulfully. "Saw a Blue Jay" has a groove a lot like Hall & Oates' "Maneater", although the lyric speaks of seeing a blue jay as some sort of good omen.

The track "Name" is a straight soul song that features an impassioned lead vocal. "Caught Up" takes a lyrical shot at the entertainment business; it's so easy to get caught up in all the inherent trappings of the entertainment world. The character in this song just wants to find out who he is, without all the distractions of the bright lights and big city.

The BGP is a really good act, and these songs likely only scratch the surface of what they can do. Please, let's hear more! - Indie-Music.com

The BGP make intriguing pop music. Much of this music sounds like Hall & Oates, but in the best possible way.

All three of these songs are sung soulfully. "Saw a Blue Jay" has a groove a lot like Hall & Oates' "Maneater", although the lyric speaks of seeing a blue jay as some sort of good omen.

The track "Name" is a straight soul song that features an impassioned lead vocal. "Caught Up" takes a lyrical shot at the entertainment business; it's so easy to get caught up in all the inherent trappings of the entertainment world. The character in this song just wants to find out who he is, without all the distractions of the bright lights and big city.

The BGP is a really good act, and these songs likely only scratch the surface of what they can do. Please, let's hear more! - Indie-Music.com

"The BGP are a campus programmer's dream. They were great to work
with, they battled the heat to play an awesome outdoor show that the
students loved, they hung out with the fans after after the show and
everybody went home happy."
- Roger Franklin
Concert Chair, Student Programming Board, EWU - n/a

"We don't usually get very good bands on [America's Got Talent], for some reason it just doesn't seem to ever work out, but [The BGP] just changed all of that!!"

"And listen to me...[Brandon Ghorley] is a star!!" - NBC