Josh Krajcik
Encyclopedia
Joshua "Josh" Krajcik is an American singer and songwriter who currently resides in Columbus, Ohio
. He began his career as a solo artist and later went on to form the Josh Krajcik band with Corey Gillen and Mitch Pinkston. In 2011, he auditioned for Simon Cowell
’s music competition The X Factor USA and was chosen for the Final 16. He is currently one of the top 7 finalists.
in 1981 to Lisa K. Oliver Krajcik Pim and Ron Krajcik. Josh has an older brother, Zack Krajcik. Josh began taking piano lessons at an early age. He has indicated that he had one piano teacher that taught him basic music theory as well as how to read music, while another piano teacher taught him how to play by ear. Josh was in junior high when he began playing guitar. He received his first guitar, a Fender Stratocaster
, from his dad, Ron, when he was 12 years old. His father also plays guitar and the two have been known to often jam together.
During Zack Krajcik’s college years, Josh would make frequent trips to Bowling Green, Ohio
to play at the local college bars. A small contingent of Wayne County residents were attending Bowling Green State University
with Zack and came to know Josh during these trips. This close group of friends began to spread the word about Josh’s talents and eventually went on to form an fan site for Josh at JoshKrajcik.us/x/. It was during this time that Josh began to gain recognition outside of the Wooster scene and build a solid following of fans. It was also in Bowling Green, where Josh first met Mitch Pinkston, with whom he would later form Josh Krajcik Band.
. His first gig was at a bar near Lodi, Ohio
called The Shady Glen. Despite being only 16 at the time, Josh convinced the owners he was 22 and received $100 for the gig. After high school, Josh fronted a number of bands and projects while living in the Wooster, Ohio
area. Unreleased tracks are in limited circulation from Josh's time with "Etherface " and Love Lies Bleeding.
. Once Mitch graduated from Bowling Green State University
, he moved to Columbus. Josh would visit and play acoustic shows with Mitch. In 2005, Josh booked a full band show at a venue called The Blues Station (now The Garage Bar) without having a drummer for the band. Josh asked the sound engineer at the club, Eric French, if he knew anybody that could sit in and play drums for the show. Eric introduced Josh to local drummer Corey Gillen, and the three would continue performing together as Josh Krajcik Band through 2011, with rhythm guitar player, Eric French, added to the band in early 2011.
After the formation of Josh Krajcik Band, Josh promptly recorded the band’s first record “Ghosts” (2005) with Joe Viers at Schwab Studios in Columbus, OH. Shortly after, the band went on tour to support Hollywood Records
artist, and fellow Ohio native, Gran Bel Fisher
. On tour they opened for such prestigious artists as: Corinne Bailey Rae
, Brandi Carlile
, and The Fray
. After performing at Bonnaroo in 2006, they appeared on ABC
’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live
” and NPR
’s renowned “World Café
” in 2007.
Upon their return to Ohio, Josh Krajcik Band continued building its fan-base in the mid-west by playing live shows in Columbus (Comfest
), Wooster (Javapalooza, WoosterFest), Cleveland (Brother’s Lounge), Cincinnati (Mt Adams Music Festival
), Toledo, Newport (Southgate House), and Nashville (The Billy Block Show). They also began working on songs for their second record, “Atavistic.” Looking to build upon the feel and mood of “Ghosts,” they again worked with co-producer/engineer Joe Viers, this time at Sonic Lounge Studios in Grove City, OH. A release party was held for “Atavistic” on February 11, 2011 at Victory’s in the Columbus, OH Brewery District.
’s The X Factor USA in the fall of 2011. He made the trip to Chicago, Illinois to audition with his mother. Josh performed the Etta James
song "At Last
" at his audition. The video of his audition has been viewed over 3 million times on YouTube. He went on to become one of the Top 32 and performed in the Judges Houses round “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
” by Roberta Flack
in front of special guest Enrique Iglesias
and mentor Nicole Scherzinger
. From there, he moved on to become one of the finalists (Final 16), qualifying for the live shows in the Over-30s category mentored by Scherzinger. During the live shows, he gave the following performances:
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
. He began his career as a solo artist and later went on to form the Josh Krajcik band with Corey Gillen and Mitch Pinkston. In 2011, he auditioned for Simon Cowell
Simon Cowell
Simon Phillip Cowell is an English A&R executive, television producer, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is known in the United Kingdom and United States for his role as a talent judge on TV shows such as Pop Idol, The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent and American Idol...
’s music competition The X Factor USA and was chosen for the Final 16. He is currently one of the top 7 finalists.
Early life
Josh was born in Wooster, OhioWooster, Ohio
Wooster is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Wayne County. The municipality is located in northeastern Ohio approximately SSW of Cleveland and SW of Akron. Wooster is noted as the location of The College of Wooster...
in 1981 to Lisa K. Oliver Krajcik Pim and Ron Krajcik. Josh has an older brother, Zack Krajcik. Josh began taking piano lessons at an early age. He has indicated that he had one piano teacher that taught him basic music theory as well as how to read music, while another piano teacher taught him how to play by ear. Josh was in junior high when he began playing guitar. He received his first guitar, a Fender Stratocaster
Fender Stratocaster
The Fender Stratocaster, often referred to as "Strat", is a model of electric guitar designed by Leo Fender, George Fullerton, and Freddie Tavares in 1954, and manufactured continuously by the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation to the present. It is a double-cutaway guitar, with an extended top...
, from his dad, Ron, when he was 12 years old. His father also plays guitar and the two have been known to often jam together.
Triway High School
While Josh’s hometown is Wooster, Ohio, he did not attend Wooster City Schools. Josh attended nearby Triway Local Schools where he graduated from Triway High School in 1999. Josh was a member of the choir during his high school years and is still an ardent supporter of the arts in education, specifically the Triway Local Schools Music Boosters.Wooster, Ohio
After graduating from Triway, Josh and long-time friend Wade Howard lived together outside Wooster, Ohio. During this time, Josh continued to hone his musical skills while crafting his own special brew of beastly rock and blues at the "Hobbit Hole." Josh played many solo acoustic gigs at local watering holes during this time as he continued to grow and mature as an artist.During Zack Krajcik’s college years, Josh would make frequent trips to Bowling Green, Ohio
Bowling Green, Ohio
Bowling Green is the county seat of Wood County in the U.S. state of Ohio. At the time of the 2010 census, the population of Bowling Green was 30,028. It is part of the Toledo, Ohio Metropolitan Statistical Area. Bowling Green is the home of Bowling Green State University...
to play at the local college bars. A small contingent of Wayne County residents were attending Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University, often referred to as Bowling Green or BGSU, is a public, coeducational research university located in Bowling Green, Ohio, United States. The institution was granted a charter in 1910 by the State of Ohio as part of the Lowry Bill, which also established Kent State...
with Zack and came to know Josh during these trips. This close group of friends began to spread the word about Josh’s talents and eventually went on to form an fan site for Josh at JoshKrajcik.us/x/. It was during this time that Josh began to gain recognition outside of the Wooster scene and build a solid following of fans. It was also in Bowling Green, where Josh first met Mitch Pinkston, with whom he would later form Josh Krajcik Band.
Early years
Some media outlets have reported that Josh began performing in front of live audiences during his teenage years. Josh himself admits to lying about his age in order to get early gigs at bars around Wayne County, OhioWayne County, Ohio
Wayne County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States, and is named for General "Mad" Anthony Wayne. As of the 2010 census, the population was 114,520. Its county seat is Wooster....
. His first gig was at a bar near Lodi, Ohio
Lodi, Ohio
Lodi is a village in Medina County, Ohio, United States. The population was 3,061 at the 2000 census.- History :Founded in 1811, Lodi is the oldest settlement in Medina County. It was originally called Harrisville, in honor of the family that founded it. It was later renamed to Lodi, the Indian...
called The Shady Glen. Despite being only 16 at the time, Josh convinced the owners he was 22 and received $100 for the gig. After high school, Josh fronted a number of bands and projects while living in the Wooster, Ohio
Wooster, Ohio
Wooster is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Wayne County. The municipality is located in northeastern Ohio approximately SSW of Cleveland and SW of Akron. Wooster is noted as the location of The College of Wooster...
area. Unreleased tracks are in limited circulation from Josh's time with "Etherface " and Love Lies Bleeding.
Ohio venues played
- Seattle’s Coffee HOUSE - Wooster, Ohio
- Olde Jaol Tavern - Wooster, Ohio
- Nate & Wally’s Fishbowl - Bowling Green, Ohio
- The Matinee - Akron, Ohio
- Blues Station - Columbus, OH
- Little Brothers - Columbus, OH
- Ruby Tuesdays - Columbus, OH
- Oldfield’s on High - Columbus, OH
- Ravari Room - Columbus, OH
- Victory’s - Columbus, OH
- Pearl Bar - Columbus, OH
- Brother’s Lounge - Cleveland, OH
- Comfest - Columbus, OH
- Mt Adams Music FestivalMt Adams Music FestivalThe Mt Adams Music Festival is an outdoor music festival held annually in Mount Adams, Cincinnati, Ohio. Sponsored by the Mt Adams Business Guild the event has been an annual success since 2006.-Venue:...
- Cincinnati, OH - Javapalooza - Wooster, OH
- Woosterfest - Wooster, OH
- Newport Music Hall - Columbus, OH
Josh Krajcik Band
After years of performing solo and in bands, Josh was introduced to bass player Mitch Pinkston in Bowling Green, OhioBowling Green, Ohio
Bowling Green is the county seat of Wood County in the U.S. state of Ohio. At the time of the 2010 census, the population of Bowling Green was 30,028. It is part of the Toledo, Ohio Metropolitan Statistical Area. Bowling Green is the home of Bowling Green State University...
. Once Mitch graduated from Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University, often referred to as Bowling Green or BGSU, is a public, coeducational research university located in Bowling Green, Ohio, United States. The institution was granted a charter in 1910 by the State of Ohio as part of the Lowry Bill, which also established Kent State...
, he moved to Columbus. Josh would visit and play acoustic shows with Mitch. In 2005, Josh booked a full band show at a venue called The Blues Station (now The Garage Bar) without having a drummer for the band. Josh asked the sound engineer at the club, Eric French, if he knew anybody that could sit in and play drums for the show. Eric introduced Josh to local drummer Corey Gillen, and the three would continue performing together as Josh Krajcik Band through 2011, with rhythm guitar player, Eric French, added to the band in early 2011.
After the formation of Josh Krajcik Band, Josh promptly recorded the band’s first record “Ghosts” (2005) with Joe Viers at Schwab Studios in Columbus, OH. Shortly after, the band went on tour to support Hollywood Records
Hollywood Records
Hollywood Records is an American record label owned by Disney Music Group, a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company.-History:Hollywood Records was founded in 1989 by then-Disney CEO Michael Eisner with the idea of expanding the music operations of the company and to develop and promote...
artist, and fellow Ohio native, Gran Bel Fisher
Gran Bel Fisher
Gran Bel Fisher is an American singer-songwriter from Sabina, Ohio. He was previously in the country music boy band Marshall Dyllon. His debut release titled Full Moon Cigarette was released on July 18, 2006...
. On tour they opened for such prestigious artists as: Corinne Bailey Rae
Corinne Bailey Rae
Corinne Bailey Rae is a British singer-songwriter and guitarist from Leeds, who released her debut album Corinne Bailey Rae in February 2006....
, Brandi Carlile
Brandi Carlile
Brandi Carlile is an American singer and songwriter.-Early life:At age eight, Carlile performed a rendition of the country music song "Tennessee Flat Top Box" with her mother. She began to play the guitar and write songs at fifteen. At sixteen, she began to perform as a backup singer for an Elvis...
, and The Fray
The Fray
-Literature:*Fray, a phenomenon in Terry Pratchett's The Carpet People*Fray , a comic book series by Joss Whedon**Melaka Fray, titular character of the comic book series-Music:*"Fray", a song from the album 14 Shades of Grey by Staind...
. After performing at Bonnaroo in 2006, they appeared on ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live
Jimmy Kimmel Live
Jimmy Kimmel Live! is an American late-night talk show, created and hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and broadcast on ABC.The nightly hour-long show made its debut on January 26, 2003, following Super Bowl XXXVII. Jimmy Kimmel Live! is produced by Jackhole Productions in association with ABC Studios...
” and NPR
NPR
NPR, formerly National Public Radio, is a privately and publicly funded non-profit membership media organization that serves as a national syndicator to a network of 900 public radio stations in the United States. NPR was created in 1970, following congressional passage of the Public Broadcasting...
’s renowned “World Café
World Cafe
World Cafe is a two-hour long, nationally syndicated music radio program that originates from WXPN, a non-commercial station licensed to the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. The program began in 1991 and was originally distributed by Public Radio...
” in 2007.
Upon their return to Ohio, Josh Krajcik Band continued building its fan-base in the mid-west by playing live shows in Columbus (Comfest
ComFest
ComFest is a large, free, non-corporate, music and arts annual festival currently held each June at Goodale Park in the Victorian Village area of Columbus, Ohio. The festival bills itself as "The Party with a Purpose"...
), Wooster (Javapalooza, WoosterFest), Cleveland (Brother’s Lounge), Cincinnati (Mt Adams Music Festival
Mt Adams Music Festival
The Mt Adams Music Festival is an outdoor music festival held annually in Mount Adams, Cincinnati, Ohio. Sponsored by the Mt Adams Business Guild the event has been an annual success since 2006.-Venue:...
), Toledo, Newport (Southgate House), and Nashville (The Billy Block Show). They also began working on songs for their second record, “Atavistic.” Looking to build upon the feel and mood of “Ghosts,” they again worked with co-producer/engineer Joe Viers, this time at Sonic Lounge Studios in Grove City, OH. A release party was held for “Atavistic” on February 11, 2011 at Victory’s in the Columbus, OH Brewery District.
Discography
- Ghosts (2005)
-
- The Push
- Way of the World
- I Knew You Once
- Easily Lost Easily One
- The Pull
- The Harrowing
- Faces
- Obtenebration
- Rooftop 39
- Wide Awake
- Nearing Neptune
- Atavistic (2011)
- Pariah
- Suzzane
- Shorn
- As Long As It Takes
- Lunatic
- Tempest
- Crawl Out
- Statue
- Low
- Elephant
- Harlot
- Atavistic
On The X Factor USA
Josh auditioned for the first season of Simon CowellSimon Cowell
Simon Phillip Cowell is an English A&R executive, television producer, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is known in the United Kingdom and United States for his role as a talent judge on TV shows such as Pop Idol, The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent and American Idol...
’s The X Factor USA in the fall of 2011. He made the trip to Chicago, Illinois to audition with his mother. Josh performed the Etta James
Etta James
Etta James is an American blues, soul, rhythm and blues , rock and roll, gospel and jazz singer. In the 1950s and 1960s, she had her biggest success as a blues and R&B singer...
song "At Last
At Last
"At Last" is a 1941 song written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren for the musical film Orchestra Wives, starring George Montgomery and Ann Rutherford. It was performed in the film and on record by Glenn Miller and his orchestra, with vocals by Ray Eberle and Pat Friday...
" at his audition. The video of his audition has been viewed over 3 million times on YouTube. He went on to become one of the Top 32 and performed in the Judges Houses round “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" is a 1957 folk song written by British political singer/songwriter Ewan MacColl for Peggy Seeger, who was later to become his wife. At the time the couple were lovers, although MacColl was married to someone else. MacColl and Seeger included the song in their...
” by Roberta Flack
Roberta Flack
Roberta Flack is an American singer, songwriter, and musician who is notable for jazz, soul, R&B, and folk music...
in front of special guest Enrique Iglesias
Enrique Iglesias
Enrique Iglesias is a Spanish pop music singer, a son of singer Julio Iglesias.Enrique started his musical career on Mexican label Fonovisa...
and mentor Nicole Scherzinger
Nicole Scherzinger
Nicole Prescovia Elikolani Valiente Scherzinger is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, record producer, model, and actress. Scherzinger is perhaps best known for being the lead vocalist of the Pussycat Dolls....
. From there, he moved on to become one of the finalists (Final 16), qualifying for the live shows in the Over-30s category mentored by Scherzinger. During the live shows, he gave the following performances:
Performances and results
| Episode | Date | Theme | Song choice | Original artist | Order # | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audition | September 28, 2011 (air date) | Auditioner's Choice | “At Last At Last "At Last" is a 1941 song written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren for the musical film Orchestra Wives, starring George Montgomery and Ann Rutherford. It was performed in the film and on record by Glenn Miller and his orchestra, with vocals by Ray Eberle and Pat Friday... ” |
Etta James Etta James Etta James is an American blues, soul, rhythm and blues , rock and roll, gospel and jazz singer. In the 1950s and 1960s, she had her biggest success as a blues and R&B singer... |
N/A | Through to Bootcamp |
| Bootcamp | October 05, 2011 (air date) | Judge's Choice | “Superman (It's Not Easy) Superman (It's Not Easy) "Superman " is the title of a song written and recorded by American singer-songwriter Five for Fighting . It was released in April 2001 as the second single from his album America Town... ” |
Five For Fighting Five for Fighting Five for Fighting is the stage name of American singer-songwriter John Ondrasik. He is best known for his piano-based rock, such as the Top 40 songs "Superman " , "100 Years" , and "The Riddle" .-Early years:... |
N/A | Through To Bootcamp's Final Challenge |
| Bootcamp's Final Challenge | October 06, 2011 (air date) | Auditioner's Choice(list of 35 songs) | “Up to the Mountain (MLK Song) Up to the Mountain (MLK Song) "Up to the Mountain " is a contemporary folk song written by Patty Griffin. The song touches upon emotions surrounding Martin Luther King, Jr.'s famous 1968 "I've Been to the Mountaintop" speech, given the day before his assassination in Memphis, Tennessee... ” |
Kelly Clarkson Kelly Clarkson Kelly Brianne Clarkson is an American pop rock singer-songwriter and actress. Clarkson came into prominence after becoming the winner of the inaugural season of the television series American Idol in 2002 and would later become the runner-up in the television special World Idol in 2003.In 2003,... |
N/A | Through to Judge's House |
| Judge's House | October 16, 2011 (air date) | Solo | “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" is a 1957 folk song written by British political singer/songwriter Ewan MacColl for Peggy Seeger, who was later to become his wife. At the time the couple were lovers, although MacColl was married to someone else. MacColl and Seeger included the song in their... ” |
Roberta Flack Roberta Flack Roberta Flack is an American singer, songwriter, and musician who is notable for jazz, soul, R&B, and folk music... |
N/A | Through to live shows |
| Live Show 1 | October 25, 2011 | UK vs US | “Forever Young Forever Young -Film and television:* Forever Young , a 1992 film starring Mel Gibson and Elijah Wood* Forever Young , directed by David Drury* Forever Young , an American reality TV series-Albums:... ” |
Bob Dylan Bob Dylan Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly... |
12 | To Final 12 |
| Live Show 2 | November 2, 2011 | Love and Heartache | “Jar of Hearts Jar of Hearts "Jar of Hearts" is the debut single by American singer-songwriter Christina Perri. The song was released onto iTunes July 27, 2010, a week after its debut on So You Think You Can Dance... ” |
Christina Perri Christina Perri Christina Judith Perri is an American singer and songwriter from Philadelphia. Her song "Jar of Hearts" charted in the United States after it was featured on the Fox television show So You Think You Can Dance in 2010. Rolling Stone named her the "Band of the Week" on October 26, 2010... |
6 | To Final 11 |
| Live Show 3 | November 9, 2011 | Songs from Movies | “With A Little Help From My Friends With a Little Help from My Friends -Joe Cocker version:Joe Cocker's version was a radical re-arrangement of the original, in a slower, 6/8 meter, using different chords in the middle eight, and a lengthy instrumental introduction... ” |
The Beatles The Beatles The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr... ; Joe Cocker Joe Cocker John Robert "Joe" Cocker, OBE is an English rock and blues musician, composer and actor, who came to popularity in the 1960s, and is most known for his gritty voice, his idiosyncratic arm movements while performing, and his cover versions of popular songs, particularly those of The Beatles... |
9 | To Final 10 |
| Live Show 4 | November 16, 2011 | Rock | “The Pretender” | Foo Fighters Foo Fighters Foo Fighters is an American alternative rock band originally formed in 1994 by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl as a one-man project following the dissolution of his previous band. The band got its name from the UFOs and various aerial phenomena that were reported by Allied aircraft pilots in World War... |
6 | To Final 9 |
| Live Show 5 | November 22, 2011 | Giving Thanks | “Wild Horses” | Rolling Stones | 9 | To Final 7 |