| |
Press
Room |
 |
| |
Interviews-English
|
|
 |
A Talent
is a Gift on Loan and Should be Developed to Share
"I
truly believe my talent was a gift and given to me on loan. It was my
responsibility to develop it, " Gary seriously reflected. "I
know so many people who were given such gifts either for music or art
and haven't developed that talent. That's such a waste."
 |
Gary Thomas
Musican
|
Gary Thomas, born
in Richmond California was raised in Santa Cruz County since the third
grade. His dad was a truck driver for as long as Gary can remember and
worked long hours. His mom was a homemaker. "She was a great mom,"
Gary quickly adds, "still is." "She is an active, young
80 years and lives in Watsonville."
Gary was introduced
to music very young in life. He's been told so many times about his first
singing performance that he can visualize it himself. His Uncle, the "black
sheep" in the family decided to launch Gary's singing career by sitting
a young 3 year old Gary on the counter of The Chittenden Pass Inn bar
where Gary sang for his Coca Cola. Needless to say Grandma and Grandpa
were upset with their son, Gary's Uncle, but the good thing that came
from it was Gary's love of performing that has carried throughout his
whole life. His mom was very active in her church choir and sang the harmony
parts, so Gary listened and learned. When his school offered musical instrument
instructions, he chose the clarinet and saxophone his mom brought home
a piano but Gary told her he wasn't interested in playing it. He was taken
to a number of music teachers and learned what he could from them, but
just couldn't master the discipline to learn how to read music. But Gary
had a special ear for music. He could listen to it and then after a while
he could mimic what he heard on his clarinet and sax. By this time he
started fooling around with the piano, figuring out chords and playing
songs he heard on the radio on the piano. His first love was still singing.
He remembers his fourth grade teacher making him sing for his lunch one
time. "She wasn't trying to embarrass me," smiled Gary, "she
just liked the fact that she had a kid in her class that loved to sing."
By the time Gary was in 7th and 8th grade he and his friend, Art Carson
were performing for assemblies. Gary on piano, Art on guitar singing their
version of the Everly Brothers tunes.
In High School, Gary
formed a band called the Modestics. He was lead singer and played the
electric piano. Even with his great love of music, Gary admits his first
love was baseball. He played all through high school and in his mind was
going for the major leagues after high school. "I probably did better
than I might have because I had that confidence, since I really didn't
have a chance at all for playing in the majors," admitted Gary. "I
was what is called a 'crafty' pitcher."
After graduating
high school in 1964, he wasn't sure what direction he wanted to go. It
was a time of transition for Gary as well as the world. The 60's generation
was exploring their philosophies; Vietnam was in the picture and there
was civil and racial unrest. Gary joined the National Guard and got "gigs"
playing in night clubs. It was during this time, at nineteen Gary got
married. But the Santa Cruz music scene, long hours, playing in night
clubs after he was 21, and the music lifestyle finally brought his marriage
to an end. Gary says of this time, "it was fun, but dangerous."
There were times he quit, then came back. He met Carol when she was working
at his Eye Doctor's office as a receptionist. He was playing music full
time again when he and Carol got married. The same problems were happening
with his crazy music lifestyle, but "Carol was different," Gary
said, "She decided she was going to make this relationship work -
I give her all the credit for keeping me together." During this time
their first son, Josh was born. Gary was getting disillusioned and burned
out. He was still playing 4 nights a week, then reduced to 2 nights a
week. One day Carol suggested he get a "real job," and this
time Gary agreed. It was time to make music fun again. It no longer was
fun as long as it was work, so Gary got a job with Cal Trans in 1980.
Eleven years after Josh was born, his second son, Matt was born. Gary
said of Josh and Matt, they are as different as night and day, but they
have a special dynamic together. Gary's face lights up when he speaks
of Josh and Matt. Gary is very excited that Josh is using his gift for
singing since for a while, Josh wasn't sure he was going to pursue a music
career. Even though Gary knows the pitfalls and difficult life of a musician,
he wouldn't change anything and would encourage young people to pursue
musical careers." Now that music is fun again for Gary, last year
he and a fellow band member were given the opportunity to sit in with
David LaFlamme of It's a Beautiful Day (famous for song "White Bird"
in the 1960's) for performances in The Pokenose in New York, Woodstock
and Alexandria Virginia. "I've always admired David LaFlamme's music
and playing with him and his group was a great thrill," Gary admitted.
"I truly believe my talent was a gift and given to me on loan. It
was my responsibility to develop it, " Gary seriously reflected.
"I know so many people who were given such gifts either for music
or art and haven't developed that talent. That's such a waste." Gary
hopes that his son Matt does something with music also, but admits that
it is more likely that he will do the behind the scenes computerized special
effects, video and sound. Josh, at first, was determined not to like the
same music as Gary, but as fate would have it, he and Gary are now playing
in the same band together, called "Highway Buddha," featuring
Josh as lead singer.
END
Top
of Page
|
|
|
