Judge for Facing Forward

Facing Forward is:
Ryan Greshock (vocals),
Nick Palazzo (drums),
Colin Greshock (guitar),
Bryan Walker (bass)

From the uplifting pop-rock anthem, “Just Say Goodbye,” to the hard-edged song about life’s struggles, “Bent & Broken,” Facing Forward’s music bleeds real-life emotion that has the power to captivate anyone who has ever shed a tear, or felt alive. Their songs send messages of struggle, overcoming, empowerment, and perseverance, and hit home with the masses. The music industry puts so much out there that has been fabricated and manufactured to sell, but Facing Forward makes it a point to give their fans something relatable and genuine.

Facing Forward formed when Ryan Greshock made a phone call to an old acquaintance. Nicola Palazzo was a drummer/producer who he had worked with on a past project, and when he needed someone to fill in for his band at a regional festival, Nicola was the first person that came to mind. “He was just one of those guys that you watch play and think to yourself, I wish he was in my band. Well, it turns out I got what I wanted,” says Ryan. He had only called Nicola to fill in for one show, but what happened was Facing Forward. In the following months, the two worked on numerous songs together in Nick’s home studio. Ryan’s brother, Colin, would soon step in on guitar, bringing his unique style and personality to the table. Now in need of a bass player, Nicola reached out to long-time friend and ex-band mate, Bryan Walker. He gladly accepted the invitation to join the band, and in early 2006 the members of Facing Forward were in rehearsals for what would be the start of their careers together.

The band made their debut in June 2006 at Chicago’s Metro for MobFest, a local and regional Chicago music conference. By their seventh show they found themselves playing in front of more than a dozen record labels at Arlene’s Grocery in New York City. Gaining interest from labels and other companies, the band continued to grow and evolve their music. Throughout 2007, Facing Forward continued to showcase in Chicago, and work with local writers and producers in town. They caught the ear of producer, Jeff Blue (Linkin Park, Macy Gray, The Last Goodnight), with whom they wrote and recorded a song with called “Waiting for You,” a heartbreak anthem sure to be held close by almost anyone who has ever been in love and lost. They also independently inked a licensing deal with MTV and were voted best emerging artist at Milwaukee Summerfest 2007.
In 2008, Facing Forward was invited to perform at VH1 Aftermath: The Station Five Years Later, which aired on VH1 Easter of 2008. The performance was filmed from The Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island to benefit the victims of the devastating Station Nightclub fire of 2003.

The band spent the rest of 2008 and 2009 playing locally in Chicago and writing new material, before taking a trip to Nashville in early 2010 to begin the process of recording songs for their 2010 release. The band plans to spend the rest of the year touring, recording, and writing.