Grover Anderson - Acoustic
Grover Anderson made his bones penning story songs about love and disappointment and death, like a modern-day Sherwood Anderson (no relation). But after years of telling strangers’ stories, on 2024’s Hold Tight Together he decided to look inward. “This album doesn’t have anyone who dies in it, which is rare for me,” he says with a laugh. “Every song is about my life.” And it seems to be paying off—Grover was selected as an official Showcase Artist at that year’s FAR-West Conference, and his single “Sticker” premiered on Ty Bentli’s Apple Music Radio show.
Anderson’s life begins and continues in the small town of Murphys, California, where he grew up on classic rock and Garth Brooks. After a stint studying theater at UCSB, Anderson found his voice crafting short narratives that embrace both the power and fragility of interpersonal relationships. In 2014, he formed his band, the Lampoliers — featuring drummer Josh Certo, guitar player Marshall Henry, and bassist Dave Duggan — and released his album The Optimist. 2019’s The Frontman followed, then 2021’s ode to small towns All the Lies That I Have Told. Whether performing solo or with a six-piece country band, Grover’s songwriting and stories have delighted audiences in 25 states, from rocking Salmonfest with the Lampoliers in Alaska to serenading a small bar in the northernmost reaches of Maine.
Though he loves playing with The Lampoliers, Grover has toured the US multiple times as a solo acoustic act. To watch and listen to full band performances, please check out this page’s counterpart.
Audio
Notable Appearances
Portland’s Folk Festival • January 2024
Finalist – Songwriting Contest
Folk Alliance Region-West Conference • October 2024
Official Showcase Artist
Sag Harbor Music Festival • September 2024
Tucson Folk Festival • April 2023
3rd Place – Songwriting Contest
Salmonfest • August 2022
Sierra Bigfoot Music Festival • August 2021
Headliner
Ironstone Amphitheater • August 2018
opening for America and Creedence Clearwater Revisited
Brice Station Vineyards • July 2018
opening for Birds of Chicago
Red Dirt & Gold Dust Festival • August 2016
with Cody Canada & the Departed, Matt Stell, & Kaitlin Butts
Uptown Theater Napa • February 2016
opening for The Charlie Daniels Band
Video Selections
Press
“Song after song, small town memory after literate anecdote, personal insight to universal truth—the music kept coming, sounding better with each song. I don’t typically listen to ‘singer-songwriter’ music terribly loud—usually, it doesn’t need or benefit from it. This album does—Steve Earle’s Dukes circa Copperhead Road didn’t sound much bigger than this quartet from the Sierra Nevada community of Murphys, CA.”
—Donald Teplyske, Fervor Coulee
“Anderson is a storyteller extraordinaire. He crafts imagery through stunning lyricism like the town cryer.”
—Lisa Whealy, Independent Clauses
“A remarkable lyricist…With each new release, Anderson’s brand of Americana keeps getting better and better: the music may be gentle, but the lyrics are sharp-eyed.”
—Rachel Cholst, Adobe & Teardrops
Talk about a voice, a powerful, demanding voice when needed, and soft and sweet to balance his songs out. Grover was an inspiration and joy to honor us in Baldwin Lake, our audience loved him. I highly recommend Grover…a highly entertaining performer.
— Christie Walker, Piñon Hill House Concerts
“Though many musical men of late have trendily taken on the trappings of woodsmen, Anderson, hailing from the Sierra foothills, is the real deal — his country- and folk-inspired music has a homey warmth that can’t be faked.”
—Santa Barbara Independent
“If Paul Simon wrote a country love song it might be this one. The melody and poetic lyrics in Evergreen are blended perfectly. You might even imagine a balsamy breeze as Grover’s smooth, sweet vocals confess satisfaction and joy.”
—Karen Bernick, Karen Loves Country