While much of the early media attention was focused on Grand's homosexuality, it was also clear that he was a quality songsmith with a strong voice whose relatable, country-infused rock resonated with all types of fans. A native of Lemont, Illinois, Grand dropped out of college after a few years, working various odd jobs and gigging at local churches in order to fund his recordings. Following the sudden success of the "All American Boy" video, he quickly launched a Kickstarter campaign, raising over a quarter of a million dollars to fund his debut, which he released independently in early 2015. Named for its lead single, All American Boy debuted at number 47 on the Billboard Top 200. ~ Timothy Monger