Gary Kyle (lead vocals, guitar) was raised in Kingwood, TX, just outside of Houston. He grew up the youngest of six children in a very musically charged family. Gary's father, who died when Gary had just turned one year old, was a country/bluegrass … Read more...singer and guitarist who performed for years in honky tonks and bars throughout Texas and Oklahoma. A singer in her own right raising six children alone, Gary's mother often made ends meet with money she earned by singing telegrams. Her musical ability also rubbed off on Gary's sister, who today is an accomplished opera singer. The diverse musical styles of Gary's family, as well as their talents and aspirations have no doubt proved a huge influence on Gary's career path.
In his younger years, Gary was referred to as the "perfect" child – a straight A over-achiever who did what he was told when he was told. All of that changed at the age of 13, when Gary's 19 year old vivacious, free-spirited brother, whom he admired greatly, was diagnosed with Leukemia. He died soon after, while in a coma. Gary and his family never had a chance to say their goodbyes. Life and all that followed became a complete 180 for Gary. It shook him into the realization that life is too short and too precious to be taken for granted. Gary then made a vow to follow his heart and cherish each moment to the fullest. This passion for life later became the basis of the title track of his debut CD, aptly entitled "Livin".
When Gary was a senior in high school, his mother gave him his father's guitar. Gary learned to play all different kinds of music from KISS to Don Williams, and from Motley Crue to Wilie Nelson, with everything in between. That year, Gary and a friend formed a band called "Big Billy Bocephus and the Yee Haws", a cross-over country band which became very popular, especially with the girls. Gary has never looked back since.
Making good on a promise to his mother that he would attend college and earn a degree, Gary attended the University of North Texas in Denton where he majored in Marketing and Sociology (Dating and Drinking for short). Music took precedence over academia, however, but after six years of college (no, he is not a doctor!) Gary earned his degree.
Today, with The No Standards Band by his side, Gary enjoys performing nightly in honky tonks and dance halls throughout Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. His band includes long time accomplice and high school buddy Frank Huezo on Lead Guitar/Vocals, former bassist of Sixpence None the Richer Joel Bailey (whom he actually met via Myspace), and finally Grammy award- winner Luis Rodriguez on drums.
Gary has opened for popular Texas artists such as Stony LaRue, Roger Creager, Cory Morrow, Wade Bowen, and Tanya Tucker, but it is his relentless passion for performing and his unorthodox connection with the audience that leaves an indelible mark on all who see him play. Folks are often taken by surprise to find that the gregarious young man they had just enjoyed a beer with was later on stage performing as the headlining act. You can always find Gary after the show in the crowd thanking each person for coming out to hear his music.
Gary's debut CD "Livin", produced by Johnny Marshall (Pat Green, Cory Morrow, Robert Earl Keen) is a collection of feel good "make you wanna cry, make you wanna dance" down home Texas Country as eclectic and rich in character as the Lonestar state itself.