Grey and Grayer Acoustic

Lee Kelm - Vocals / acoustic guitar / resonator / slide guitar

I began learning to play guitar when I was about 16, after having visited a coffee house in Milwaukee and seeing a singer songwriter singing his own songs. I fell in love with that acoustic style of music and got interested in doing the same. When I went off to college I met another player and we formed an acoustic duo called Winterwood and played around in small venues. After college I entered my chosen profession in public service and eventually spent three years at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music studying fingerstyle guitar. Soon after that I spent my time writing both vocal and instrumental songs and played in venues around the Milwaukee metro area. And at that time I was able to release two CD’s of original songs. It wasn’t long and my friend Tom Grosser, joined me and we  became the Grey and Grayer duo, with me on guitar and Tom on percussion. At the same time, Tom and I were also playing in our church worship band on Sundays.

About seven years ago, Kurt Fifer joined us and we became Grey and Grayer Acoustic, with Kurt doing lead acoustic and electric guitars, as well as vocals. These days we play cover tunes from various artists in 60’s rock, country, bluegrass, southern rock, southern blues, and Americana folk. 

Currently while doing this, I am still involved with the Fox River Christian Church worship team playing on Sundays, while also playing in the Fox River Rescue Mission band which, ministers to the Milwaukee Rescue Mission as well as playing in the contemporary Christian band Fourgiven.

Kurt Fifer - Guitars / Bass / Vocals

I started playing clarinet in fourth grade, winning first place awards in every solo contest for the next three years. In high school I added tenor sax and bass guitar. Later, I formed a blues rock band that played southeast WI for sixteen years. The musical path led to a great association with Lee and Tom, who started G & G years before. Playing with G&G has been a great experience.

Tom Grosser - Drums / Percussion

Beginning instruction at age 8, I was classically trained in percussion which led to experiences in concert bands and orchestras. The typical trail of marching bands and drum lines filled out my early years. At the age of 15 I began playing in bands. Rock and roll was where it was at in the early 70’s, but the new sound of country rock was where the gigs were found. My country drumming was honed regularly playing the bar scene with the Country superstars.

College years continued on with the classical percussion experiences along with touring, backing a large choral group and supplementing my income giving drum lessons. The country rock craze faded back to real rock with sounds like Supertramp, Pink  Floyd, and Heart. so that’s where my schoolmates and I followed, back into the  bars and dance clubs along with campus gigs. As my real life professional career was expanding I found less time to devote to being a regular band member. Filling in for bands in need kept me in touch with not only the rock and country scene, but introduced me to the world of smooth jazz and blues. Performing both as a set drummer and hand percussionist brought a new flavor to my drumming style.

Searching new approaches to percussion has led me to places like Nashville sitting in on sets with bands and learning about playing in a recording studio. A love of travel combined with my love of music has broadened my style. I’ve enjoyed discovering a new approach for the cajon in an acoustic band from a percussionist in Budapest. Impromptu bodhran lessons in Dublin pubs and my favorite, routinely returning to New Orleans building my second line of chops.

In the late nineties while involved with contemporary Christian Worship music I bumped into an amazing acoustic guitarist/singer songwriter who had cut several solo cd’s. Starting by adding a percussive background to his amazing talent in coffee houses and wine bars began the journey leading to Grey and Grayer. Lee and I with the addition of Kurt, who brings a strong blues background offering a wide library of music with something to please everyone.

I approach each gig, from an outdoor festival to an intimate wine bar with the goal of enhancing the music without overpowering the music without overpowering the listener’s experience.