All music is good music
Gary is a musician and singer in Loudoun County, Virginia. He specializes in music of the Big Band era, but has a repertoire that stretches through the entire 20th century and even today. While Frank Sinatra (always Mr. Sinatra in conversation) is Gary’s main musical influence, his musical influences range from Bing Crosby to Bill Monroe to Jimmy Buffett to the late, great Hawaiian musician Israel Kamakawiwoʻole and Irish singers like Paddy Tunney, The Dubliners, and Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh.
His performances can be strictly in the background (like to accompany dinner) or highly interactive, inviting the audience to sing along and (pre-COVID anyway!) walking out among the audience members as he plays to bring everybody in on the fun!
Gary is also a storyteller, having studied with the great Appalachian storytellers of our time, such as Elizabeth Ellis, Kim Weitkamp, Bil Lepp, and the one and only Donald Davis.
Gary has been performing in retirement homes for over 20 years. He has also been a volunteer pastor for over 10 years, having led hundreds of church services and several memorial services. He loves the residents, and they return the favor. He’s even been heckled – more than once! – by residents suffering from dementia, but treats everybody with respect and gives all an enjoyable time of music and joy.
“Other performers play old-people music... but you don’t!”
Partial Song List
Gary’s repertoire of well over 200 songs (more gladly added on request) ranges from gay 90’s singalongs to Tin Pan Alley to big band and the Great American Songbook to sacred gospel to bluegrass to traditional Irish to Hawaiian/island to 70s singer/songwriter (any Parrot Heads in the house?). He also has songs for holidays including patriotic, Irish, military, and Christmas. There is truly something for everyone!
Big Band
Accentuate the Positive
All of Me
Bewitched, Bothered, Bewildered
Blue Skies
Cheek to Cheek
Cocktails for Two
Come Fly with Me
Here’s to the Losers
I Get a Kick Out of You
I’ll Be Seeing You
I’ve Got the World on a String
I’ve Got You Under my Skin
I’ve Got a Crush on You
I’ve Got Rhythm
In the Wee Small Hours
It Had to be You
It Was a Very Good Year
It’s Only a Paper Moon
L-O-V-E
Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off
Mack the Knife
My Kind of Town
Nancy with the Laughing Face
New York, New York
Our Love is Here to Stay
Pennies from Heaven
Putting on the Ritz
Route 66
Sentimental Journey
September Song
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Stardust
Summertime
That’s Amore
The Lady is a Tramp
The Way You Look Tonight
They Can’t Take That Away from Me
Tiptoe through the Tulips
You Make Me Feel So Young
Young at Heart
Parrot Head
Boat Drinks
Brown Eyed Girl
Changes in Latitudes
Cheeseburger in Paradise
Come Monday
Fins
Grapefruit Juicy Fruit
He Went to Paris
It’s 5 O’clock Somewhere
Margaritaville
Pencil Thin Moustache
A Pirate Looks at 40
Son of a son of a sailor
Southern Cross
Tin Cup Chalice
Trying to Reason w/ Hurricane Season
Volcano
Bluegrass and Gospel
100 Years from Now
Back to the Cross
Blue Ridge Cabin Home
Cabin in the Hills of Caroline
A Beautiful Life
Are you Washed in the Blood
Folsom Prison Blues
Hallelujah I’m Ready
Hold Fast to the Right
I’ll Fly Away
Keep on the Sunny Side
Old Mountain Dew
On my Way Back to the Old Home
Rocky Top
Roll in my Sweet Baby’s Arms
Take me Home Country Roads
Singalong
Bicycle Built for Two
Ain’t She Sweet
Take Me out to the Ballgame
Baby Face
By the Light of the Moon
Five Foot Two
Happy Days are Here Again
I Can’t Give You Anything but Love
I’m Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover
King of the Road
Let me Call you Sweetheart
My Grandfather’s Clock
Peg o’ My Heart
Drunken Sailor
Yes Sir That’s My Baby
You Are My Sunshine
Around America
Aloha ʻOe
Banana Boat Song
Blue Hawaii
America the Beautiful
Battle Hymn of the Republic
God Bless America
Hukilau
Jamaica Farewell
Little Grass Shack
Military Medley
My Country Tis of Thee
O Canada
Sloop John B
Star Spangled Banner
This Land is Your Land
You’re a Grand Old Flag
Holiday
Adeste Fideles
Away in a Manger
Christmas Song
Fields of Athenry
Go Tell it on the Mountain
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Hark the Herald
The Irish Rover
I’ll be Home for Christmas
Jingle Bells
Joy to the World
Mary Did You Know?
Mele Kalikimaka
O Holy Night
Silent Night
Sleigh Ride
Star of the County Down
White Christmas
When Irish Eyes are Smiling
The Wild Rover
Contact Gary
If you like what you see, send me a message. I’d love to talk about how to help your residents have a great “Sentimental Journey” back in time!