'American Song Contest': A bicycle accident resulted in Ohio's Macy Gray's stage name
If you're big on state pride, then 'American Song Contest' should most certainly be on your watch list! NBC's newest reality singing show, hosted by Snoop Dogg and Kelly Clarkson sees musical acts representing all 50 states, five U.S. territories and the nation’s capital battle out to see who comes out on top, while celebrating 'the depth and variety of different styles and genres across America.'
On the lookout for some more contest-based reality shows? You might want to check out -- 'Masked Singer', 'American Idol' and 'Alter Ego'.
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With Rhode Island's Hueston making it to the semifinals after Episode 1, Episode 2 features a whole new set of singers. Among them is Ohio's very own Macy Gray!
Who is Macy Gray?
Macy Gray, who was born Natalie Renée McIntyre, is a R&B and soul singer-songwriter, musician, record producer and actress. Although she now stays in Los Angeles, Canton, Ohio is her hometown, and she will be representing Ohio on the 'American Song Contest' Stage. Her unique singing style is inspired by Billie Holiday.
Music was an outlet for Macy, who had a bit of late speech development and learned to hold a conversation just before her 10th birthday. However, her relationship with music is a longstanding one, seeing that she began to learn how to play the piano at age 7.
Her stage name, Macy Gray, has a unique story behind it too -- she noticed the name on a mailbox during a bicycle accident and it stuck with her, as she later began using it as her stage name. She is an award-winning artist -- she has won a Grammy for 'Best Female Pop Vocal Performance' in 2001, an MTV Music Award for 'Best New Artist Clip – Pop' in 2000 and a Brit Award for 'International Breakthrough Act' and 'International Female Solo Artist' in 2000.
As per her NBC bio, "Macy Gray, the renowned artist, actor and activist from Canton, Ohio, is no stranger to saying what needs to be said and acting on her words. The musical bodies of work she has produced throughout her career are a testament to her exquisite vision and unyielding devotion to her craft. Her sleek, sultry and mature take on R&B draws from decades worth of history. Yet, her ability to still sound forward-thinking and fresh is what reaffirms and reasserts her as a signature rarity in music. Since Macy broke into the music scene in 1999 with the release of her debut triple-platinum album, "On How Life Is," she has become a powerhouse of R&B and soul, amassed a devoted global fan base and sold more than 25 million total albums globally.
A five-time Grammy Award nominee, Gray won Best Pop Vocal Performance in 2000 for her iconic song "I Try" and has received two BRIT Awards. Macy's latest album, "The Reset," will be released later year. The album is primed to create further discussion about what is happening in today's world and will help redefine what pop music should be while still providing music lovers with good times and a great message. The daughter of a math teacher and a steel factory worker, Gray grew up in a house next to the local farm – a place still near and dear to her heart where she received the encouragement to become the star she is today.
'American Song Contest' airs on Monday, at 8/7c on NBC. You can vote for your favorite performances on the NBC website, the NBC app and TikTok. You can also stream your favorite artists' songs on your preferred music streaming app.