This singer/songwriter weaves poetic, cinematic musical short stories with his lilting voice and wonderfully melodic finger style guitar work.

13 MP3 Songs
FOLK: Modern Folk, FOLK: Gentle



Details:
âThe Singing Storyteller" -- thatâs how Staten Island Sourceâs Barbara Russo described Singer Songwriter Gary Paul Hermus. His offerings meld what the Folk Project calls, "intricate finger style guitar work & intelligently crafted lyrics" with a â . . . down-to-earth personality & relaxed attitude.â Garyâs rich & colorful life winds its way through his songs. His eclectic musical journey spices his writing as well. He also the winner of the 2006 Xtreme Folk Scene's Song Contest for his tune, "The Man In the Black Chapeau." Gary holds a B.A, in Psychology, a Masters in Public Administration and a Masters in Computer Science.

Born 1950 in Brownsville, Brooklyn, NY, the eldest of three sons, Gary's home was poor yet rich; with little money, but filled with music, theater & poetry. He began studying piano at age five, learning to read music while learning to read words. Though Gary left piano behind several years later, it gave him a love for melody that remains with him. From five to thirteen, Gary spent Summers on his grandparent's farm in rural upstate New York with his brothers, where he developed a love for bucolic settings & acoustic bluegrass music. But it was as a Boy Scout that his love of storytelling emerged; in plays & counsel fire challenges.

At thirteen, Gary began playing guitar in local "Battles of the Bands." But, a love of acting led to New York City's High School of Performing Arts, where he studied drama by day, playing by night at clubs like the Peppermint Lounge, the Purple Onion & the Cheetah. He continued acting studies at HB Studios, acting Off-Off Broadway while playing international folk tunes throughout New York City in the late 1960's & early 1970's at The Bitter End, The Village Gaslight, Folk City & elsewhere.

To make ends meet, Gary played bass guitar on club dates, becoming well versed in the standards. Here Gary met pianist Al Israel, who introduced him to the subtleties of Latin music, leading to studies with famed Latin bassist, Victor Venegas. Gary did a short stint with "Bill Jeffcott & the Swamprockers," then joined the bluegrass band, "The New York Frets." He then began a long love affair with Brazilian jazz, playing bass with Brazilo-Cuban fusion band "Satie." Satie reformed in the 1980's as "The North American Udu Band," but separated shortly thereafter. Gary then joined the country band, "Shotgun Wedding" followed by a stint with the Classic Rock group, "Joined @ the Head."

When J@TH broke up in 1999, Gary returned to writing, emerging in 2002 at small clubs & open mikes. In 2003, he played numerous coffeehouses in Northern New Jersey and Staten Island. By 2004 Gary expanded to include new venues, an appearance on Ralph Litwin's cable TV show, "Horses Sing None of it," & at the Folk Project's Fall Festival. His expansion continued in 2005, adding appearances on blowupradio.comâs âFolk You!â concert series as well as joining their Hurricane Katrina benefit. He followed up on winning the Xtreme Folk Scene Song Contest with a triumphant appearance at XFest 2006. He continues to appear in clubs throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. âSidâs Gaseteria,â is his debut release.