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Abraham Alexander (musician)

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Abraham Alexander
Alexander performing live in April 2020
Alexander performing live in April 2020
Background information
BornAthens, Greece
GenresBlues, soul, R&B, folk, alternative
OccupationSinger-songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar
Years active2015–present
LabelsDualtone Records
Websiteabrahamalexander.com

Abraham Alexander is an American musician, songwriter, and guitarist based in Fort Worth, Texas.

Early life

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Alexander was born and raised in Athens, Greece, the son of Nigerian immigrants.[1] He relocated to Texas with his family in the early 2000s at age 11 in order to escape the ever-present racial tensions of his birthplace.[2] After losing his mother in a car accident with a drunk driver, Alexander was adopted in his teens by a foster family.[3] In high school, he excelled at soccer, which led to a scholarship to play in college at Texas Wesleyan.[4] In 2011, he sustained a torn ACL, which ultimately sidelined his soccer ambitions, but opened the door to his future music career.[5] While recovering from his injury, he learned to play the guitar, which was given to him by his girlfriend at the time.[6]

Career

[edit]

After a chance encounter with Leon Bridges, Alexander's first break in the industry came when he was invited to hum and sing background vocals during the recording of his 2015 debut album Coming Home.[5] At the encouragement of Bridges, Alexander began performing at open mics around Fort Worth.[7] This led to an invitation to open for R&B artist Ginuwine in February 2017 at House of Blues in Dallas, Alexander's first real show.[3]

He released his first song in April 2019, a cover of Chris Isaak's classic hit "Wicked Game" as part of the Mahogany Covers series.[8] In September later that year, he released his self-titled debut EP featuring his first four original songs.[9]

In June 2022, Alexander co-wrote a new song with Bridges and Kevin Kaarl called "Summer Moon" inspired by a local Fort Worth coffee shop they frequented during the COVID pandemic.[10]

In April 2023, he released his debut SEA/SONS,[11] which was co-produced by Alexander, Matt Pence, and Brad Cook, and released through Dualtone Records.[12] It featured guest appearances by Gary Clark Jr. on the track "Stay" as well as soul legend Mavis Staples on the track "Deja Vu."[13] The album debuted at #42 on Billboard's Top Current Album Sales chart and #83 on Billboard's Top Album Sales chart.[14] It was met with critical acclaim from NPR,[1] No Depression,[11] American Songwriter,[15] The Bluegrass Situation,[16] The Tennessean,[17] World Cafe,[13] and KCRW.[18] He also made his television debut on CBS Saturday Morning, performing his singles "Today," "Tears Run Dry," and "Eye Can See" along with a feature interview.[19]

In May 2023, he joined Gibson as the brand's first Marquee Artist.[20]

Alexander contributed a cover of Sam Cooke's "Bring It On Home To Me" alongside Wilder Woods for Dualtone Records' Discovered & Covered compilation featuring an array of artists on their roster.[21]

In addition to his own headline tours, Alexander has supported artists on the road such as Leon Bridges,[22] Charley Crockett,[23] Ani DiFranco,[22] Black Pumas,[24] Gary Clark Jr.,[25] The Lumineers,[26] and Mavis Staples[22] among others. He has also performed at festivals including Bonnaroo,[27] Newport Folk Festival,[28] and Austin City Limits Festival.[29]

Discography

[edit]

Singles

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  • "Stay (feat. Gary Clark Jr.)" (2022)
  • "Tears Run Dry" (2023)
  • "Bring it On Home To Me (Wilder Woods & Abraham Alexander)" (2023)
  • "Like a Bird (Adrian Quesada & Abraham Alexander)" (2024)

EPs

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  • Abraham Alexander (2019)
  • Electric Deluxe Session (2023)

Albums

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  • SEA/SONS (2023)

References

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  1. ^ a b Caldwell, Noah (April 28, 2023). "On debut album, Abraham Alexander finds solace in vulnerability". NPR.
  2. ^ "Fort Worth's Abraham Alexander pours his growing pains into new album for a stunning debut". KERA News. 2023-04-14. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
  3. ^ a b Crain, By Zac (2023-06-02). "Abraham Alexander Is Ready for His Star Turn". D Magazine. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
  4. ^ "From the field to the stage, Abraham Alexander charts course as a musical star". KERA News. 2022-04-07. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
  5. ^ a b Patoski, Joe Nick (February 2, 2024). "It's a New Season for Fort Worth's Abraham Alexander". Texas Highways.
  6. ^ Clifton, Jameson (2022-06-23). "Abraham Alexander: Building Bridges". Stetson Stories. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
  7. ^ McCord, Jeff (2023-06-14). "Abraham Alexander's Singular Journey". KUTX. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
  8. ^ Brooks, Lyle (2019-09-12). "Abraham Alexander: Finding His Home, His Family, & His Voice". Tanglewood Moms. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
  9. ^ "Abraham Alexander Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio ..." AllMusic. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
  10. ^ "How Leon Bridges turned a freestyle about a Fort Worth coffee shop into a song". wfaa.com. 2022-06-20. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
  11. ^ a b "Album Review: On 'SEA/SONS,' Abraham Alexander Brings Beauty Into Brokenness". No Depression. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
  12. ^ "Fort Worth's Abraham Alexander announces debut album". KXT 91.7. 2023-02-14. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
  13. ^ a b Kallao, Stephen (August 29, 2023). "How a chance encounter kickstarted Abraham Alexander's music career". NPR World Cafe.
  14. ^ Zellner, Xander (2023-04-26). "10 First-Timers on Billboard's Charts This Week: Abraham Alexander, Poppy Baskcomb, Diamond Pynk & More". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
  15. ^ Beviglia, Jim (2023-06-16). "Abraham Alexander: A Man for All 'SEA/SONS'". American Songwriter. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
  16. ^ "Abraham Alexander's Simmering 'SEA/SONS' Is Steeped In Family History". The Bluegrass Situation. 2023-05-05. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
  17. ^ Dowling, Marcus K. "Abraham Alexander's 'SEA/SONS' highlights his artistic vulnerability, developing stardom". The Tennessean. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
  18. ^ "Abraham Alexander: KCRW Live from HQ | Live From". KCRW. 2023-09-07. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
  19. ^ "Abraham Alexander on his musical journey - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
  20. ^ Sanders, Shane (2023-05-23). "Who is Gibson Marquee Artist Abraham Alexander?". Gibson Gazette. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
  21. ^ "Discovered & Covered". Dualtone Music Group. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
  22. ^ a b c Dabney, Courtney (2023-04-06). "With Help From Leon Bridges, Mavis Staples and Gary Clark Jr., Soulful Fort Worth Musician Abraham Alexander Takes Off". PaperCity Magazine. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
  23. ^ "Charley Crockett & Abraham Alexander: Everything's Better From Texas". Retrieved 2024-09-18.
  24. ^ "Black Pumas with Abraham Alexander (Sold Out)". Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. June 23, 2024.
  25. ^ "Gary Clark Jr. w/Abraham Alexander at The Midland". bridge909.org. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
  26. ^ Crain, Zac (2023-06-02). "Arlington's Own Abraham Alexander is Blazing Trails". D Magazine. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
  27. ^ Gustafson, Hana (2023-06-16). "Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival Commences 2023 Event". Relix Media. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
  28. ^ Belmore, Ryan (2023-03-07). "Abraham Alexander added to the 2023 Newport Folk Festival lineup". What's Up Newp. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
  29. ^ Dubel, Logan. "Resurging Tanya Tucker goes full Texas, Abraham Alexander gains new fans at ACL". The Daily Texan. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
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