CULLMAN, Ala. – Case Graham is a local musician with an excellent reputation for his guitar skills. His style is a combination of rock and metal mixed with groove funk, layered with heavy jazz influence.
Though he knew from a young age that he wanted to play guitar, he said, it wasn’t easy.
At age 9 he told his parents he wanted to play, though they presented him with a challenge. He could play guitar, but only after two years of piano lessons. That was that! He set off on his journey of keys and pedals – unknowingly making it easier for him to learn chord construction and scales.
At 11, he had achieved his goal and began playing guitar and taking lessons.
“I knew I wanted to play fast,” Graham said.
He went on to write his own songs throughout high school. One song he played at Cullman High School’s annual talent show.
“You weren’t allowed to play an original song in the talent show for some reason. So I told them I was playing ‘Fire’ by Steve Vai,” said Graham.
He admitted he was playing an original piece just before going onstage, and the performance landed the Cullman High freshman a spot at Celebrate Cullman.
He recently toured in Las Vegas where he met Steve Vai, Rick Beato and other musicians.
Graham is in several bands to-date, including Just in Case, Rally Stripes, Jesse Priest and session work with Common Tribe, a Nashville-based group. Just in Case is one of Valley Tavern & Grille’s house bands that plays every Tuesday night at 7. It’s a two-man band featuring Justin Pace and Graham, hence the band name: June in Case.
Graham said his most requested song when performing live tends to be, “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses and “Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd.
He said he always adds his own variation of the songs, so they’re never quite the originals.
Graham’s recently released song “Just Go For It!” is on Spotify and has also been submitted for an award through Get Lifted: Cloud Microphones Artist Tournament. You can vote for the single at https://tinyurl.com/casegraham.
When he isn’t practicing in a studio or on stage, Graham teaches lessons. Students of all ages can learn classical, jazz, rock or acoustic guitar and, of course, piano. To book a lesson, visit www.casegraham.com/music-lessons
Cullman Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism will be offering Music Camp this summer for kids from ages 8 to 14. Graham will be instructing these lessons. The camp will take place June 23-26, from 8 a.m.-noon at The Little House at Art Park located at 1031 Second St. SW in Cullman. Register at www.cullmanrecreation.recdesk.com/Community/Program.
Visit Graham’s website www.casegraham.com to learn more.
Case Graham playing guitar (Martha Needham)
