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The talent behind the man, from the man
 
The question often comes up, "Gar...when did you start playing?"  and then a conversation sparks on my music background.  So, I suppose I will start my approach in the same manner but with a little more detail.

I have to admit, I came from a very musically talented family.  As the story would have it, I use to sit in amazement listening to my dad strum and sing.  He was and still is my hero, and he has always given me valuable advice.  In this though, I have to include my grampap (as I called him) who use to, in days gone by, spend his time playing on the radio and running around with the likes of others such as Hawkshaw Hawkins, who he called high-pockets because he was so tall. 

Our family became very close with another family who was in the music field and a woman who use to play music with Buck Owens would baby-sit me (so to speak) as I was growing up in a suburb outside of Pittsburgh.  So with all this talent around,  I suppose some of it was bound to rub off on me. 

I had a wonderful childhood, and the word awesome, doesn't even begin to describe my memories of that time period.  In 4th grade I started playing one of those "flute-things" I think they call them recorders.  And in 5th grade I started on the saxophone, and played it all through high-school.  But at age 13 my interest peaked with the music of my family and of my inherited musical family.  I guess that's where the story of me and my guitar got its start. 

I remember watching so intently as my dad would chord his guitar, and when we would visit grama and grampap, I would do the same.  Then I would take one of those guitars and try it on my own, of course I had the usual questions, but I kept practicing until I would get good sound and a good chord.  My dad would, so patiently, set with me and tell me what to do through different songs of that era as he would sing me the tune while I tried to find the lead part. It sure brings a smile to my face when I think back to those days.

Now I have to tell you, my grampap was no slouch when it came to playing his guitar and singing.  But that all goes without saying I suppose when you take into consideration his radio days and the people he knew.  But the point is this, one day he took this beautiful old harmony guitar he had and grabbed a flat-pick and all of a sudden he whipped off "steel guitar rag".  Then he handed me the guitar and said, now you play it.  I just looked at him with my mouth still hanging open in awe.  I think my words were, "how did you do that?"  So he showed me one more time, and said if you can play that before you leave here this weekend you can have that guitar.  Oh boy....now there was a challenge, but oh what an incentive! 

I remember sitting the whole weekend with just that guitar and that tune that was now burnt into my head.  I worked hard trying to remember every stroke of the pick, every note that I heard and trying to put it all together...and finally when Sunday rolled around, I played it back for him and listen, he was a man of his word.  I took that guitar home with me. 

My dad continued to help me with my notes and playing ability as I continued further down the road.  By the time I was 16, the word was somehow getting around that this kid wasn't too bad with an axe; and I remember my mom and dads phone would continuously ring with bands and people looking for a lead player. 

One day my grampap handed me a thumb-pick and told me about a guy named Chet Atkins.  He told me, "this guy plays everything at the same time, the bass, the melody, the harmony, and all the in-between - then showed me a record and said, go play the record and listen; so I did.  Ha, after listening to that album I said, "there ain't no way, there ain't no way one guy can play all that stuff at one time."  But I soon came to find out I was wrong about my out-of-line opinion and yes in deed, Chet was playing it all.  I remember saying to Grampap, that guy is good, and he replied, you ain't whistling dixie he's good.  But understand, what I didn't know was Dad and Grampap would frequent Nashville, and they'd seen Chet in action. 

So for me, it was now back to the drawing board, but this time with a thumb-pick.  Oh how I smile at those memories.  I took that guitar and thumb-pick and I would sit on one of the steps that led up to my parents bedroom with my first 3 fingers taped together so they would stay in the strings as I tried this new thing.  After about two weeks straight, I at least had something new and unique I was able to do, and from then on it was just practice.  Teaching my fingers to do things they could never do before, and keeping my thumb on those lower strings. 

But I still practice, over and over, just not with tape on my fingers anymore...haha.  Any musician will testify, it takes practice if you want to be good; but it also takes steady, continuous learning, and a humble heart to be exceptional.

I want to leave you with this one last thought - I know all too well that my talent, whether from my voice or from my guitar, is a God-Given ability.  And it is only through Him that I have that talent; therefore, you will not find me in questionable establishments, and I would encourage you to allow God to use your talent for His Glory.  I can promise you...He will bless you for that more than I could ever explain. 


 
Whether it is gospel or country, you're sure to enjoy every note.  Click below to preview clips from some of his music. 
 
NOTE - All Recording Has Been Delayed Due To The Death Of Pastor John  ~~ (My Dad).
Dad went on to be with Jesus June 24th.
 
Clips from "A Very Gary Christmas" CD
 
The Gospel Guitar of Gary Jones
release date ?
 
Memories Vol-1
release date ?


 

 
 
 






 
 
 

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