Gary Owen's Blog

I haven't posted here for nearly 4 years. Today, I thought I'd showcase one of my favorite videos of us Blue Meanies performing at the St. George Theater, Staten Island, NY. It was filmed in 2019 at our annual Beatles Blast as we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the "Abbey Road" album. A lot has happened since my last post. On May 11, 2019, we lost our drummer, JT, at the age of 69. Hence the reason this video features our original, and now permanent, drummer Drew Paradine. This was one month after JT had passed and- as a tribute- Drew played JT's Gretsch drum set.  Anyway, pump it up and sing along to our rendition of "Here Comes The Sun" ......which I dedicated to my Norwegian wife, Mette!

Well, well, well! It's been so long!  Hoping this message finds you all feeling groovy. With that in mind, take a meander at my new website. Yes, please do. :) Gary Owen - Musician

Yes! Summer is on it's way! With that, let's celebrate by singing along with this groovy song from The Monkees new album "Good Times!"

Well, it's yet another new year. This means it's time for some Rare Earth. I am sure you see the connection? "I Just Want To Celebrate" was released in 1971 and reached #7. Grooviness abounds.

Thanks to everyone at CTV for helping me with this. :)

My Facebook Artist page is now up and running. Click here:   Gary Owen Facebook Artist Page

Here is a video montage sample of some of the music I perform.

Lots of music this week. Between trekking up to Smallwood, New York for a benefit show (two miles from the original Woodstock site), rehearsing and meandering about the region, my blogging has become- for the moment, de-blogged. With that in mind, let's fill the void by listening to this cool, rare, late period, sung-by-Robbie-Krieger Doors track from their last LP "Full Circle" (1972): Four Billion Souls - The Doors (1972)

The Peppermint Rainbow were a Baltimore, Maryland based band who were- essentially- discovered by Cass Elliot of The Mamas & Papas fame. This sunshine pop unit had a hit with their second single "Will You Be Staying After Sunday " which reached #32 in 1969. The LP of the same name bubbled under at #106. The song seems to be the only one listeners may recall today. For me, it's their first single " Walking In Different Circles" which caught my ear. Strangely, this potential hit never made the charts at all. Produced by Paul Leka- the same guy who produced The Lemon Pipers of "Green Tambourine" fame- they were also given the same original backing track of "GT" and added their vocals. It was released as another single but missed the charts as well. Like so many bands of that era, The Peppermint Rainbow disbanded in 1970. Click here for " Walking In Different Circles " Click here for " Green Tambourine "

Even if it does carry some melancholic memories for me, here is my favorite Arlo tune. "Gabriel's Mother's Hiway Ballad #16 Blues" hails from Guthrie's cozy 1970 LP "Washington County" . It was also released as the "B" side of the single "Valley To Pray" . I love the entire feel of this recording and it has helped me through some rough times. Some songs have that ability. My favorite part is at 4:47 when he sings "To make a Heaven out of this Earth" . Perfect. Then, of course, there are the eerie strings helping this ethereal song gently glide along. Wonderful. This is one of those tunes I listen to after everyone has gone home at the end of Summer. Come on children, come on........ "Washington County" (1970) :

Always enjoy a good busy weekend of gigging. Friday was a cozy set at Jimmy Maxx, Saturday at W's (great crowd), Sunday was a private party in New Jersey (fellow Monkees fan so we know where that one went), and- today at the nursing home- to celebrate the "February Birthdays" . I was given a blue balloon for being born on Groundhog day.

Here is a piece of video I took during my drive cross country in 1996. The highway is I-40 West, towards Albuquerque, New Mexico. Had some fun with the audio / visual so it would resemble an old super 8 film and a vintage monophonic AM radio.   The song is "Point Me In The Direction Of Albuquerque" by The Partridge Family (1970). Click here for "Point Me In The Direction Of Albuquerque"

A blast from the mullet-era-stage-frightened past.