By Melonie Magruder
Lookout Staff

November 28, 2011 -- If you were lucky enough to catch Downtown Santa Monica’s official launch of the holiday shopping season with the Winterlit concert Saturday night, you likely witnessed its headliner before he disappears into the modern-day pop music star-making machine.

Andy Grammer. Photos by Brandon Wise

Andy Grammer could be the next John Mayer. And the fact that he appeared up-close-and-personal in the very venue that launched his career is a tribute to his level headed generosity – he remembers where he comes from.

Wedged between the Lucky Brand boutique and Monsoon Cafe, where the outside patio was stuffed with patrons taking advantage of the clement weather, DTSM’s Winterlit concert was everything your teenage daughter would dream of.

There was a professional concert stage and sound system, bubbly “snowflakes,” a Miley Cyrus-worthy opening act and Grammer as a genial heartthrob pounding out crowd-pleasing pop tunes.

Eighteen months ago, Grammer was just another Third Street Promenade busker, competing for rare tip jar dollars with break-dancers and Christina Aguilera wannabes in front of McDonalds. Today, he’s touring with Colbie Caillat and was labeled “Artist to Watch” by Billboard in January.

“Hey, I earned my stripes playing on the Promenade,” Grammer said as he moved from keyboards to guitar (he writes a lot of his own material) during his set. “And I’m so happy to be home.”

Backed by a tight four-piece band (the drummer was particularly spot-on), Grammer played a set of more than a half dozen tunes with pitch-perfect vocals and soaring brio. His lyrics weren't those of your typical cookie-cutter, bouncy-pop single with a hackneyed refrain. And his playful ‘beatbox’ vocal technique had one spectator commenting that “he’s better than a drum machine.”

Young Dancers

Despite Grammer’s wry contention that “sappy love songs” never go out of style, his own tunes fielded complex, Jack Johnson-ish lines honoring genuinely positive messages of love, courage, grit and – refreshingly – appreciation of the women in his life.

“I wrote this song called ‘Ladies’ for my mom, who’s awesome,” he said before launching into a song urging guys out there to “stand up for them all – sisters, daughters and wives” because they’re beautiful without even trying. Merry Christmas, Mom.

Mid-set, Grammer even lent the stage to a fellow busker from his early days, break-dancer “Candy Man,” whose ear-to-ear grin and astonishing contortions can be seen on the Promenade.

While such magnanimity of spirit could have been extended a little further (a quick introduction of his band would have been in order), Grammer relished his set played to a hoard of screaming girls pointing their smart phone cameras at him (“It’s soon gonna be ‘Andy Grammy’,” one shouted).

The Winterlit concert kept its theme of developed-outside-of-the-box talent with opening act Savannah Outen. The 19-year-old from Hillsboro, Oregon launched her own career by posting videos of herself singing.

Savannah Outen

Within a year, her first single, “Goodbyes,” (written, she said, for her middle-school graduation) was featured on Radio Disney’s Music Mailbag. She now has nearly two million views on her YouTube Channel.

“I have to credit my Mom and Dad for the idea of posting my videos on YouTube,” Outen said after her set. “Best decision of my life.”

Outen’s fresh-faced bandmates looked all of twelve years old and the sound mix was a bit sketchy (couldn’t hear background vocals at all). And she might not have been used to this type of venue because there were pitch problems in the first few songs.

Savannah Outen

Still, she took on a lovely version of “O, Holy Night” – hit that high note like a champ – and, if anyone recorded her performance, she should have another 100,000 or so YouTube views by this weekend.

Grammer seems to be an artist cognizant of his great good luck. Sure – he has the “it” quality of solid talent developed from years of study and sweat, dynamic good looks and terrific attitude. But the road to fame has been paved with legions of talented broken hearts.

From all appearances Saturday night, Grammer is one artist who seems ready not only to thank those whose shoulders he climbed on, but willing to give a leg-up to those who will come after him.