Greensburg's singing florist Gary Pratt wins music industry award

Sometimes it takes a while to become an overnight success.

Sounds like the opening line of a great country song — or the story behind one.

Country singer/songwriter Gary Pratt of South Greensburg has been in the music business for decades, but, recently, he’s been gaining recognition far beyond Western Pennsylvania.

On Saturday, he learned that he won an International Male Songwriter of the Year Bronze Crystal Award in the 2021 ISSA Awards presented by the International Singer-Songwriters Association.

Founded by singer/songwriter Tamanie Dove, the ISSA provides networking opportunities with industry professionals to independent musicians. Nominations for the awards come from fan and member votes, with winners chosen by a panel of industry professionals.

The ISSA award was in recognition of Pratt’s third album, “Something Worth Remembering,” released March 26.

“I’ve been wanting this for so long,” said Pratt, who also owns Le Jardin Florals and Home Accents in Greensburg.

For years, Pratt has been a familiar face at fairs, festivals and stages around the area, often accompanied by a group of loyal fans who call themselves the Kick It Up Dancers. He’s even done some work in the country music mecca of Nashville.

The release of “Something Worth Remembering,” and signing with MTS Record, kicked his music career up a notch, he said.

The album’s first single, “A Song You Can Drink a Beer To,” has been in rotation for more than two months on country radio stations in Nashville, New York City, Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

It’s also been charting in Europe and has been a number one iTunes pick in South Africa, he said.

“Something Worth Remembering” also is in the running for a Josie Music Award in the category of EP of the Year (Male). “Drink a Beer” is up for a Hollywood Music in Media Award in the country music category.

The Josie awards ceremony is set for Sept. 18, while the HMMA awards will be announced Nov. 17.

Pratt was watching from home as the ISSA awards were announced virtually.

“I really wasn’t expecting (to win),” he said. “I just felt a tear, gratitude, a blessing. It’s just really cool.”

A second single is due to be released soon, and he’s looking for ways “to push while it’s hot,” he said.

He’s working on assembling a band to back him and his singing partner, Kate Szallar. He’s working on opening up for some of the bigger names that play Pittsburgh-area venues like Jergel’s Rhythm Grille.

He has some dates booked in October and November around Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

He’ll be co-writing Christian music with some Nashville songwriters.

“The album’s got a lot of life in it, so I’m just enjoying the ride,” he said.

But there are still higher country music heights to scale.

“I’d love to open for Blake Shelton and Dolly Parton, those two, of course,” he said.

“Something Worth Remembering” is available through Amazon, iTunes, Spotify and other music streaming services.