"I got my kicks with my parents' old record collection and fell hard for the whole British Invasion," says Grace Potter. "Led Zeppelin was a big one for sure. Then Robert Plant asked us to tour with him, which we did. It's so great when your heroes are actually heroic."
Formed in 2002, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals -- guitarists Scott Tournet and Benny Yurco, bassist Michael Libramento and drummer Matthew Burr, who is also vocalist and guitarist Grace Potter's husband - gained a loyal following in the "jam band" scene, influenced by artists like the Band and the Grateful Dead. In addition to Robert Plant, the group have shared stages with Gov't Mule, Dave Matthews Band and more, with multi-instrumentalist and charismatic singer Potter likened to Janis Joplin by critics and fans alike. A versatile guitarist, Potter was approached by Gibson Guitars to provide input on a signature Flying V electric guitar, the prototype of which is part of the Rock Hall's Right Here, Right Now exhibit in Cleveland, Ohio, alongside the shimmering dress Potter wore during a show-stealing performance at the VH-1 Divas Salute the Troops telecast held in San Diego, California, in December 2010. Less than a year later, in 2011, Potter earned a Grammy nomination for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for "You And Tequila" with Kenny Chesney. Potter can be seeing rocking a production version of her signature Gibson Flying V during two rocking performances -- "Paris (Ooh La La)" and "Medicine" -- from Live From the Artists Den.
This blog post is part of a series produced by Huffington Post and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in conjunction with the latter's current "Right Here, Right Now" exhibit. The exhibit, at the Cleveland-based museum, takes a look at the evolution of rock and roll and its impact on the next generation of artists by taking visitors on an intimate journey into the stories of chart-topping acts as told through their personal items and clothing from iconic performances. To learn more, visit here. To meet the other seven, visit here and see below!