Gary Smallwood started performing professionally when he was 16 years old. A popular local band asked him to fill the guitar vacancy left by a leaving member. The other band members were older and did a bit of touring to nearby cities, sometimes rushing him home after a gig just in time to be dropped off at his school bus stop!
Gary started his love of music by signing up for drums & percussion classes in the 5th grade and continued to play them through high school. By the time he reached 7th grade, he became interested in the bass guitar. His parents bought him a Fender bass & amp that Christmas and he taught himself to play using his favorite records such as The Beatles, Black Sabbath & Sly & the Family Stone as influences, to name a few. At age 15 he saw a late night film entitled "A Film About Jimi Hendrix"...from then on it was all about guitar! He is also self-taught on guitar using Hendrix, Clapton, Trower, Marino & Van Halen as influences, to name a few.
Gary has shared the stage with or supported such great acts as Robin Trower, Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush, the late great Jeff Healey, Elliott Easton(the Cars), Marshall Tucker Band, Molly Hatchet, Bret Michaels, Guster, Catfish Hodge, Michael Fath and many more. His guitar playing, both electric and acoustic has been highly sought after by musicians as well as the public. He has loaned his talents to many bands as a 'sideman' and in the studio on numerous recording projects, including Genghis Angus' "Twelve Days", Bryan Fox's "Unfoxable", Josh Burgess Band's "Living & Dying Under Orion" , Jim Asbell's "Man Overbored", Leesburg Community Church's "Give Me Jesus", Bret Michaels' "Rock My World" and countless other demo recordings.
Gary's style of music consists of classic rock, soulful blues rock or just "flat out guitar rock"...he has a great appreciation for all types of music and sometimes will incorporate soul, R&B, funk, country and 'show tunes' into his playing. Gary also gives back to the community by playing shows for numerous benefits and charities throughout the region. He is a well respected and hard working musician, playing 300+ shows a year.
|
|
|
