Gman and Keeney: News/Journal

Hello Everybody! Welcome back. I feel like the ground hog coming out of his burrow for the first time in spring! And I’m ready to rock.
With the economic downturn, bars and clubs are being cautious and conservative about hiring bands and it’s hard getting work, but I’m back on task—cause I need to PLAY!
Got a gig coming up this month. I would be honored if you could come by for a drink and a song.

I'm ready--I'm ready--I'm ready.

Let's party!

Gman

New Musical Album “G-force”, excellent cond. Must hear. http://cdbaby.com/cd/gmanblues

Working on some new covers. I won't tell you what they are; they're a surprise but they are cool and unusual.

Also working on Album #2 concepts.

Some musical buddies of mine went to Memphis to record their next album--I know it's going to be great!

I dreamt that I was back at Carbondale--back in the hippie daze when the world was safe and outrage wasn't lethal, but usually resulted in a something much more compassionate like a protest song—better yet, a love-in.

I was in this spooky old dusty board-worn house much like the one that I really lived in back in the day; only this one had a glass atrium in the front of it full of tall pines and cactuses. Beyond that was Illinois Avenue the main drag and center of bar culture, hustling and bustling with people in hot pursuit of the ever elusive buzz.

I began assembling my Gman Blues Show equipment, PA board and columns, roll back speakers and effects processors, my Aphex aural exciter... I hung my banner proudly against the grimy windows of the atrium. G-rilla was there too. The G-man rig didn't exist back in '75, but it was my dream logic after all. This stuff was good.

Finally everything was all ready to go. I had a really good feeling about this. I was going to perform for the town. Let's all get together like the old days, pass the hat, send a scouting party out for a kegger and let's make something happen!

Well that is the way it was back then. Everyone living life to the fullest, taking advantage of every opportunity that passed by. We hitch-hiked our way to nirvana.

And I began to play.

And they came. In droves. And it felt So good.

Girls in halters, jammin' with panama hatted young bucks, and fuzzy headed guys hand jiving with those perky preppie girls. And we rocked the blues, and everything just kept getting crazier and crazier. I was in the vortex of the party, beating songs out of my axe. But I wasn't alone; everyone was on that ride with me.

After a long time, I took a break and everyone kind of sat down right where they were. Things got quiet. A girl stood up and started reciting a poem. Her words were hypnotic. The lyrics intertwined thoughts and feelings about how we were all pilgrims far away from home, and yet so close. I don't remember the poem exactly but she said that home is a state of mind. Everyone there was home, and yet so far away.It was the student away from ma and pa thing.


Well we've all come such a long way. The world has changed so much from those love filled 70's. Some things are still the same though. Music is still a universal language. We still need to show love and compassion for our fellow man. We are all still pilgrims so far from home and yet so close. Home still is a state of mind.


I hope you have a wonderful holiday, filled with love, turkey, and cold draft beer. Please remember to be kind to one another. Put something in the hat. And come out to jam with me soon eh?

PERFECT STORM, WEBINAR, WATERBOARDING, ORGANIC, WORDSMITH/WORDSMITHING, AUTHOR/AUTHORED, POST 9/11, SURGE, GIVE BACK, 'BLANK' is the new 'BLANK' or 'X' is the new 'Y', BLACK FRIDAY, BACK IN THE DAY, RANDOM, SWEET, DECIMATE, EMOTIONAL, POP, IT IS WHAT IT IS, UNDER THE BUS

Somewhere out beyond your dreams,
Lies a quiet place
That is safe and secure,
Beyond the vinyl, the dog-crates, the paper
Beneath the din of arguing struggle,
And smart-mouth shufflers who delegate duty
Where everything is shiny, then pastel shaded cozy
where the timbre can’t touch you
around the hurtful and misunderstood
And deliberate derailment of candor —but wait
There is a spot
You’ll find it Justine
Someplace all yours, where time can’t tap you.
And peoples stares reflected in you beauty
mirror images of what they are not
The echo return of a lie to oneself; ambient deception
Now nothing can hurt you not even intent
Because you see
You are a real best moment
Loved, missed, and often photographed
The mixer of pudding, nuker of scrambled
A sneaker of applesauce
With a willing heart and a radiant smile.
Yes smile if it suits you and we’ll all be smiling too
For when you laugh, we can’t help it
Though try to understand what it is
That makes you so wondrous
So sparkly, so unique.
It’s only you after all and that beautiful bracelet.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=nAgpNEJ5MuKCfRcdNYALSg_3d_3d

Hello Friends,

Thought that I would give you the results of my survey.

First of all to those that responded Thank you! The turnout was
simply amazing.

The first three questions deal with whether I or not there is a
reason to go out and perform, probably if most people responded
negatively, I would really be discouraged. Your answers were very
positive and supporting:

1. I am more likely to visit an establishment that has entertainment:
70.8% Responded: Definitely!

2. I prefer Live Music over other forms of entertainment such as a
DJ. 76% Responded: Live Music Makes the Party!
* (comment) Live Music Rocks!

3. If you said yes to going out to see live music, would: Paying a
bit more for a drink (over "bargain bars") or A small cover charge
($2-3) Affect your decision to visit the bar? 95.7% Said: I'd go it
is well worth it to have a good time! (cool)
*(comment) Gary, I just spent about $800 or so to see Kenny C, Keith
U, Leanne Rymes, & others. I'd say it was good, but not great. You are
great - all you need is some exposure.

Thank you all very much!!!! You have filled me with the desire to
dial it up a few notches. Thanks.

___________________________________

I sometimes struggle with continuing on because let us face it, I an
not getting any younger. There are days when I look in the mirror and
go "Wesselhoff just who are you foolin'?" Other days I look around
and see people my age partying, rocking out and having a great time
and I think "Let's party!" The next couple of questions kind of deal
with that...

4. Would you see Gman Blues Play again? 100% Definitely!

5. Does Gman's age or appearance deter you from seeing him play? 100%
No
•(comment) Of course not Gary!! You ROCK!!
•(comment) What kind of stupid question was that???
•(comment) Oh come on, Gary! Or you mean we're too young?
•(comment) If Buz Killman can work with Steve Dahl, and If I didn't
meet Chef Hanz on Thursday when I turned 50, I might say Yep. Make the
age & appearance work for you. Personally, I'm loosing my crew cut &
gonna grow out my grey hair - at least on the sides!
•(comment) Good age - same age - old age! Ha ha!
•(comment) part of the 'cool' vibe- play into it

Wow!!! Talk about making a guy feel good! Thank you all so much
again. I will not let you down. We got a summer ahead of us, and we
are going to partay.


Lastly, if have not taken the survey but want to please do, I will
still monitory results for a few more days.

1) To please others
2) To please myself
3) To learn all I can learn
4) To be happy
5) To create
6) To enjoy
7) To be free
8) To hope
9) To love
10) To be loved
11) To sometimes hate
12) To sometimes be hated
13) To listen
14) To entertain
15) To be entertained
16) To laugh
17) To help others to laugh
18) To smile
19) To see inside other people minds
20) To be insightful
21) To become wealthy
22) To stay healthy
23) To run from fear
24) To enjoy a sunny day
25) To play music like has never been played
26) To keep secrets
27) To hide inner pain
28) To raise my children to become wonderful human beings
29) To contribute to humanity
30) To try my best
31) To have an open mind
32) To not judge others too harshly
33) To be a giving person
34) To not take more than my share
35) To add to the craziness of life
36) To tickle toes
37) To tease my loved ones
38) To learn to trust others
39) To be spiritual
40) To be intellectual
41) To be simple
42) To be an expert
43) To be a fixer of things
44) To sit back and watch life be handled by someone else
45) To be scared
46) To write the perfect song for Carla
47) To be able to listen to the single pluck of a guitar string and hear an entire song
48) To kick back and relax
49) To work hard
50) To be a compass to others who have lost the way
51) To be able to taste the feast in a single bite
52) To watch the grass swirling in the wind
53) To ride the tiger
54) To dismount
55) To see things in a way that others cannot
56) To connect to those with simpler minds
57) To bond with people I know
58) To lie in bed all day
59) To appreciate something as simple as a pad of butter melting on a slice of toast
60) To be forgetful
61) To make mistakes
62) To be thankful
63) To be a social leader
64) To be a scholar of sorts
65) To learn from the work of those with greater capacities than mine
66) To squander money
67) To accumulate musical equipment

Played the Brazen Head last night and WE ALL had a great time. I didn't get the high attendance numbers that I wanted, but boy did we party hearty! Everyone there was committed to fun.

Thanks to everyone.

Tip of the hat to Thomas Leach who came up and threw down some wonderful leads for Dave and I.

The G-force Premiere was a smashing success, and I was reminded what it was all about—why I created the work. An interesting side note to the story; I sent out an email to 250+ friends and fans on the gman Blues mailing list and one of the recipients worked for a PR firm. She generated a press release from the email that went out globally. I got back responses from places like the Department of Justice in Canada, Radio Stations in England, National Public Radio (NPR), the American Press (AP), and countries from all over the globe wishing me luck or RSVP’ing on the invite. To tell you the truth the response was so overwhelming that I wasn’t sure who would be there. Turned out that we had a wonderfully appreciative audience. I donated a copy of G-force to the library and now will be in the SLS networked card catalogue. Cool.
We all had the best time; the energy level was high as were sprits of both crowd and players. This is how I would like to be remembered as a performer. G-force lives!

There are a hundred-trillion-million-zillion bar codes in the world, but one of them is mine. That’s right 634479718236 belongs to G-force and although it seems like such a small thing, but in a way it’s huge. It means that G-force can be sold wherever scanner guns are located, and on this planet—they are everywhere.

My second milestone is having G-force make its debut on ITunes. Again, small but huge. ITunes is one of the largest, if not the largest online music catalog. Cool beans. It took nearly two months from the time I released G-force to its appearance on ITunes, but it’s there now and I couldn’t be more proud.

There’s this guy in a LOUD cowboy shirt and hippy hair perched on a stool in front of the crown droning, droning, droning, this dull, monotonous, repetitive, tedious acid laced dirge of a song; it begins to take root in my mind and mesmerize me.
Next thing I know I’m looking for a ledge to jump off of- -MAKE IT STOP!!! PLEEEEZE Make it go away!! But the song goes on and on, verse after verse, hour after hour.

At verse 97 I’m considering busting my beer glass on the bar for a weapon to put my ears out of commission—must break free—MUST BREAK FREE. But by now I have no will of my own. I’m on this journey for as long as Mr. Loud Cowboy shirt decides to drive. It is hypnotic I must admit, I think as I lose all sense of self. I’m just a phantom in the shadows drinking a black-and-tan; nothing more. I have no past, no future, only this moment that won’t seem to end.

I look across the bar and see myself on the other side looking at myself. Time has halted and I’m at one with nothingness. The song drones on. A pink flamingo sips from my black-and-tan, and the clock above the bar begins to melt in a Salvador Daliesque gloop.

Years later the song ends, and I’m abruptly jolted back into reality. Where the hell am I—Oh yeah I’m Gman and I’m in a bar and hey I’ve got to get the hell out of here before Mr. Loud Cowboy shirt has me like a deer in the headlights again.

The next song starts but I’m already headed for the door. My pace slows, and the doorway seems a hundred yards away. I’m wearing lead snowshoes as I trek across the peanut shell laden landscape for a shot—one and a million at having my mind back. There’s the door, there’s the handle—twist….. Got it.

A blast of frigid Chicago air belts me in the face and I’m back to reality. I’ve got to hear some gman blues.

A icy cold brew, some good friends, a bar that isn’t choking with smoking, and some good tunes—what could be better? Ordering a friggin’ Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza right from the bar that’s what.

It’s as close to nirvana as we can get in the winter you know. It ain’t such a bad deal though.

Announcing:

Gman Blues and David Keeney
LIVE at Beggars Pizza

This Saturday, February 9, 2008

8:00pm

That’s right folks, we’re gonna get up off of the couch and get up and moving, laughing and joking, drinking and …. And… well never mind we won’t go there.

But we’re gonna have fun. Believe it. Please come by and add to the friendship and fun. Beggars is starting to become a favorite place to gather and lose the February Blues. The end of Superbowl leaves us all a gap to fill until St. Paddy’s but we can do it! If we all pull together.

So come on out and let’s rock. All you have to lose is the February blues.

Thanks for your kind support! I can't express how cool it is to see friends having a good time when I play. Hope to see you there.

Here is what John is referring to in his guest book post....

What is the sound of a tree falling in a forest?

Well I’ll bet it’s not as God-awful as the sound of a 45 pound P.A. speaker on a stand squishing a Takamini acoustic-electric guitar plugged into an aphex acoustic exciter would be!

That is almost what happened!!!! Sproooongkeraaaaaash!!!

Luckily a hand shot out from the audience halting the speaker at about a 45 degree angle. The morbid side of me was thinking “Cool—I wonder what sound it’s gonna make!”

I got no common sense!
(then again;never have though he-he).

First of all finally finally finally, the album G-force is out for sale. The last 10% of the work takes 90% of the time…. It is something that I’m very proud of and I sincerely hope you will like it too. Although the style is my own, I have a lot of variety in the album—everything from Blues, to folk, to Pop songs are on G-force. Please check it out when you get a moment. Let me know what you think. I am already starting on a follow up album with the working title “In truth/lies destiny”. Truth may be a theme running through the album but it’s too early to tell yet. These things have a way of taking on a life of their own; sometimes I feel like I’m only steering and the momentum is beyond my control.

Next, I am thrilled to be working with the incredibly talented David Keeney on the Gman Blues Show. Dave has signed on and is now a permanent installation to the Act. He brings a wealth of musical talent and a whole slew of Irish Drinking Songs and some really hilarious parody songs (such as “Secret AGING Man which is about us all getting older sung to the tune of Secret Agent man….”).

Dave won a Chicago Tribune Contest a few years back for writing the best Irish Song “Don’t Quit Your Day Job (to join an Irish band) and has performed it to delighted audiences all over the city. Dave’s music is a nice contrast to mine, and when he’s not strummin’ a six string, he’s playing bass (he also plays trumpet, sax, and keyboards as if that weren’t enough!).

Anyway Dave and I have been best buds since FOURTH GRADE!!! For those curious, that is 44 years—we’ve been through some stuff! Unfortunately I can’t incriminate Dave on this forum, but I’ve got loads of dirt on him (and vice-versa ). Scratch that--Never mind, just think of us as Bluesmen Alter Boys. Yeah that’s the ticket.

Lastly to the friends who have been coming out to see us THANK YOU. It is always so good to see y’all there.

It seemed that the only way I could wheedle Keeney out from under his bed was to offer him a cracker, and another gig.

Apparently he had gotten a taste of stardom from the last and just couldn’t adjust to being “normal” again.

It was a challenge. I lined up seven triscuit crackers in a little trail leading away from Dave’s hiding spot and began talking to him in a calm voice.

“Common Dave—everyone knows that you are the best bass player in North America. You have nothing to prove come on out.”

(although there was no response a hand reached for first triscuit).

“Furthermore no one has ever written a better song than Viagra #9—you can’t deny that that….why it’s more classic than Inagodadavida—everyone says so”

Now I could see his arm up to his shoulder as he reached for the second triscuit. Still Dave hadn’t spoken a word. I began to wonder if I was speaking to Keeney at all or his alter ego “Professor Gedolphs the Medolphs. If I could see his face his glasses would be on upside down and I’d know for sure….

“I’ve got more triscuits Dave—but you have to come out.”

A hand reached out for the third triscuit, but hastily withdrew.

“Alright Dave I wanted to surprise you but I’ll come right out and say it. Tomorrow—that is Saturday January 12th at 8:00pm you and I are going to perform at Beggars Pizza at 155th and Cicero in Oak Forrest”.

For the first time in days I heard Dave speak.

“Will there be g-g-girls there?”

“Yep plenty of ‘em”

Quite suddenly Keeney was out from under the bed, glasses on right side up and ready to go. He looked at me with the intensity of a superbowl quarterback. “Ok let’s show them a good time” he said.

Hiding Mystery
So catlike beside her soft breathing
they expel cold signs before a smile
and nod of understanding
of what lies untold
Awaken! The nark is trailing in the mist
Sinful and colorful before the dream
They seduce hot dreams upon the fog
Weird and scary dreams upon the clouds
They breathe misty inspirations beneath the tomb
flickering curious
turning away the sense of fear

How many times?
brother take comfort
where she knew no-one before the chaff
Very sensuous below the circling radar
they tiptoe upon sinful leaves
cold dusty footprints upon the wake
Dark and vaporous below the wind
She spread arid deceptions beyond the dream
Betrayal ubiquitous draft
All damp against the fog
All luminous hiding the light
None out of control
an empty address book With what regrets
the witness for love
Has no sight
a trace of sadness
Under what skies
the witness writes a name
not knowing why

Greetings all….

On Saturday January 12th, Dave Keeney and I will work Beggars Pizza at 156th and Cicero on Chicago’s South Side. We play 9:00 until about Midnight or so--we like playing together so much that we usually have to be told to quit! Great new songs; Dave has some really funny parody songs (such as the take off of “Love Potion #9” to “Viagra #9”) #10 was too strong! You can just imagine what happens in the song. Funny stuff indeed . Please attend.

Beggars is a great place—you can sit at the bar and chow down on an Authentic Chicago deep dish pie, sip a pint of Ale, and see some good entertainment. Much better than TV re-runs!

Also for those really south, I have booked a four weekend deal at All Star Sports Bar in Frankfort IL. Acoustic Rock players are a new addition to the bar’s lineup—so if you like this kind of entertainment come on down to see me or any of the other players (on other weekends). If things go well for the venue, they will continue the format. Many people like acoustic rock because they can still talk, joke, and meet people without being plastered against the wall by the extreme volume that a full band produces—and it’s fun!

Last week was a great week for me. So many people came and enjoyed my music that I was overwhelmed. Thank you, really. It means everything to me.

Gary
www.gmanblues.com

PS: It was weird on New Year’s Eve when the pulled all the ashtrays out of the bar, and hung up the “NO SMOKING” signs. If you haven’t been to a bar in 2008 come on out—you will be pleasantly surprised how nice things are now in the bars. If you are a smoker you will undoubtedly network with new people outdoors, and if you don’t smoke the bars now smell clean—if you can imagine that!