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He has all the country boy prerequisites.
First of all, he is actually a boy. The Edmonton native turns 15 next month.
Two, his Sony debut, The Way I'm Made, is as fine a country album as you'll hear - equal in quality to established artists twice or even three times his age. It was co-written and produced by one of Nashville's new heavyweights, David Martin, once part of the duo Hemingway Corner. The music has a relaxed, sophisticated sound largely free of the cheesy hot country trappings that often sabotage big-name albums. And while it has its corny moments - what country record doesn't? - The Way I'm Made is a strong and honest debut. Lyrics like "I feel like Gretzky on a breakaway" (from the single Horseshoes) are sure to make it a hit - especially around Gretzkyville, er, Edmonton. Horseshoes is currently No. 20 - with a bullet! - on the CMT video chart.
Finally, and possibly most importantly, the kid seems to have the right attitude.
Challenged on the incongruity of a 14-year-old singing lines like, "Down in Dallas, Lord, those girls are fine," Gregory just laughs.
"Hopefully the song will touch people," he says. "But I haven't been to Dallas. I hope to one day - and I might meet a beautiful girl there."
Asked what he'll do if he sells millions of albums and becomes rich, he doesn't hesitate to answer.
"I'd like to donate money for cancer, because my grandpa died of cancer. I like to spend money on other people, if you can believe that. I like to put other people before myself. My parents taught me well."
(Move over, St. Paul Brandt.) OK, but then what?
"I'll take my sister on a big shopping spree."
OK, but what do you want? Finally it comes out: "I'd like a Viper. I'd like to collect cars. Hopefully I can get a nice bus one day, too."
If his record continues to move up the charts, Gregory might need one. He'll be performing at the Calgary Stampede and at the Merritt Mountain Music Festival next month - and that's just the beginning. Sony has put a "priority" on this artist - and when that happens, the public can't help but take notice.
While expressing great excitement about fulfilling the dream he's had since he was eight years old strumming a $47 guitar to old George Strait records, Gregory seems laid-back about the whole thing. He says he's ready for practically anything.
"If it gets too busy, they'll get me a tutor on the road. Now, it's just right. It's up to how the CD sells. If I sell a lot, most definitely my life could change."
His big hero?
"Vince Gill," he says, again without any hesitation.
Gregory had a chance to perform with Gill at a private function in Nashville last year.
"He's a cool, down-to-earth guy," Gregory says. "I sang Go Rest High on the Mountain. I've always admired that song. I sang it at my grandpa's funeral five years ago. I went up to Vince and said, 'I can sing the song but it's not in the same key any more.' He says, 'That's OK, because we're professionals.' I can no longer sing as high as I used to. My head would fall off if I tried to hit his key."
Gregory first came to our attention when Edmonton Sun chief photographer Tom Braid brought him into the office three years ago. "Mark my words," Braid said, "This kid is going to be big," like we'd never heard that before. Dressed like a miniature version of Garth Brooks, the 11-year-old Gregory performed a private showcase for Sun staff. His voice, not to mention his image, has changed significantly since then, but the "change" was never a real problem.
"My voice just gradually changed over the years," Gregory says. "It never cracked once. I never even lost my voice ... but I hope this is as low as it gets. I like the way it is now."
Keep in mind that even Johnny Cash had a high voice, once upon a time.