Tuesday February 6, 2001

David Gray

With its wistful lyrics and moving melodies like "Babylon," David Gray's album, "White Ladder" is climbing the charts, edging out pop stars like Britney Spears and NSync.

But when we went one-on-one with the British import, he said his recent success has been a long time coming.

Ryan: Is it true that you almost gave-up your musical career?

David: It hadn't worked out too well and I think you get to the point where you think maybe I shouldn't be doing this. I should be a milkman or something."

At 30, David might have had more immediate success as a milkman. His first three albums, by his own admission, tanked.

David: I didn't really think about giving it all up, but I did ask myself some serious questions.

Ryan: And what where those questions?

David: Is it too early in the morning to be drinking Guinness?

Ryan: The song everybody is talking about is called "Babylon." What can you tell us about that?

David: I remember getting the Friday night idea and thinking, "Ooh ,Saturday, Sunday, how clever. People have just seemed to pick up on it, and finally I've been given a chance and the big boys have gotten involved.

And now, after years of struggling, David's fame has finally arrived, not that he's keeping track or anything. He says, "It's all just a distraction from the most important thing, which is making music."

Ryan: People that inspired you throughout this journey, who were they?

David: The first one, and perhaps the most important one, was Bob Dylan.

And here's the EXTRA info on David Gray. He got his start playing punk rock, big difference from his new tunes. David was the first musician to sign with ATO records which, by the way, is owned by another famous Dave, Dave Matthews.