Biography of Gary Gorence
I first got the idea of “The Road Song Project” a few years back while driving from gig to gig on a tour of New Mexico and Colorado… “the road is a song, a song is the road”. I had almost completed the recording of what would become “The Road Song Project” album, and the title seemed appropriate as a brand name. The album was recorded at Oliver Music Studio and Potion Productions in Santa Fe, NM. Jacy Oliver was the recording engineer and co-producer, along with myself. We were nominated for Best Producers in The New Mexico Music Awards, and I also received a nomination for Best Rock Song.
I was born in Oklahoma and raised in west Texas. I took notice of music at a young age, but really didn’t start playing and writing songs until after I had graduated from UT-Austin. While living in Phoenix, AZ, I played in several bands, including getting to record with Bob Henke, a former member of Dr. Hook and The Medicine Show, and member of Glen Campbell’s last band. Some of the other musicians that I played with in Phoenix include Kenny Dye, Mark Toombs and Brad Munns.
I moved to Pecos, NM to pursue the dream of living in the mountains, and have played in numerous bands over the years, including Steve Terrell’s Spudgrass, Roark and The Rhinos, Dem Bones, Renegade Country and The Jakes. I’ve written and recorded songs for numerous albums, the latest being “The Road Song Project”. Members of The Jakes, a band that still performs in the Santa Fe area, have been the studio musicians for my projects over the years. The current members are Mike Montiel, Jake Montiel, Frank Ondrusek and myself. Past members include Bobby Glenn, John Curtis and Steve Stoner. “The Road Song Project” album features current members of The Jakes, as well as contributions from Bobby Glenn, Jacy Oliver, Jim Oliver, Suzanne Teng, Annie McCampbell and Michael Handler. The song “La Kiva” was co-written by Ed Hamrick and myself.
The Jakes have opened for Randy Travis, Lacy J. Dalton and Freddie Fender. While in Renegade Country, we were fortunate to have guitarist Frank Reckard in the band for a period of time. Frank is a former member of Emmy Lou Harris and The Hot Band, and also played with Hoyt Axton. I’ve also had the good fortune to partner up with Bill Hearne for some duo shows.
I hope to see you out on the road somewhere… the road is a song, the song says it all, the song never ends on the road that you’re on…