Greg Copeland was born Gregory Andre Copeland in Portsmouth, Virginia (USA). There was always music being played in the Copeland household. Greg´s mother Delores Copeland was a Gospel Singer with an excellent voice.
I can still remember as a small child how my Mother used to sing me a song before I went to sleep at night. She had so much emotion in her voice. Just by her singing, I could tell if she was happy or sad. Her perseverance and the love that she showed me and my brother while raising us alone still influences me deeply and has had a great impact on my singing and songwriting.
Being influenced by artists such as Robert Johnson, Leadbelly and Muddy Waters has helped Greg to develop his unique singing style.
When I sing I want you to feel my hurt, my pain, my happiness and my sadness. I want to ask for forgiveness if I did something wrong and forgive people if they have done me wrong. All these things I try to do with my music.
Greg is a Bluesman through and through and is the leader of his Acoustic Blues Duo called Deep Down South and in 2013 released their critically acclaimed CD titled An Acoustic Journey To The Blues, I don´t just sing notes, I sing emotions also. Greg has also graced the stage with some of Europe´s finest musicians such as renowned blues guitarist Gregor Hilden, Blues legend Guitar Crusher and has worked extensively with his long time friend and Internationally acclaimed Roots, Folk and Blues Singer/Songwriter Big Daddy Wilson. He has also displayed his talent as a Soul Singer as the leader of the Greg Copeland Band and as the former frontman for the band Greg Copeland and the Soul Gang.
On his side is good friend Steve 'Guitar' Gilles, playing the acoustic guitar and resonator slide as well as blues harp.
Steve has already been along on three other 'Blues all over NZ tours': in 2012 with Big Daddy Wilson, then a year later seasoning his chops with US Bluesman “Watermelon Slim” all over Aotearoa, followed by a second NZ tour with Big Daddy Wilson in 2015. He has also been touring Australia in March 2016 with Big Daddy Wilson, clocking up miles, experiences, and audiences.
Together Greg and Steve hit the road this September and October for 19 gigs in New Zealand.
Tickets available at the door at $ 20 on the night.
