GARY OLEYAR has been making music since he was a young child. Inspired to pick up a guitar by Duane Allman, OLEYAR can now play “anything with strings.”
A veteran of many musical adventures, OLEYAR has toured the world playing and making music. I had the pleasure of first meeting him this past December. He was performing with the great singer/songwriter LAURA CRISCI in Asbury Park, NJ and with Bob Seger and many others.
A multi-instrumentalist, OLEYAR had just come off of a tour with Loggins and Messina. When asked about how he got that gig, he replied with a chuckle, “because I play many instruments really badly.” He then went on to explain that he was living in Nashville when he answered an open audition for a fiddle player. “There were seventy-five native fiddle players from Nashville. I was a Jersey guy. I passed the audition and, much to my surprise, I’ve been playing with them ever since.”
OLEYAR has also played with many other well-known acts. He told us the story of how he was once a player in country music star Kenny Chesney’s band. After two albums, he decided to pursue other avenues. He jokingly stated that this was a regrettable decision. “Many times I’ve kicked myself for leaving.”
Have you ever watched The Weather Channel? Well, there’s a good chance that the background music you’re hearing was done by GARY OLEYAR. OLEYAR has done an entire CD of music for the channel that is still in use today.
The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts Center is located at 605 Main Street, Middletown. There is ample, free parking behind It's Only Natural market. Refreshments, viewing of Buttonwood's Art show, the bookstore and refreshments are all open and available. Call for info: (860) 347-4957.
SATURDAY, January 26th local musician, Carolyn Brodginski offers a workshop and concert featuring handmade dulcimers. Instruments are provided for this hour-long class. Register and find out more HERE.
Carolyn discovered the dulcimer in 1980 when she saw Sally Rogers in concert at The Sounding Board in West Hartford. An accomplished folk guitarist at the time, she just couldn’t figure out what to do with this beautiful, sweet sounding instrument with so few strings.
More than 30 years later, she found The Ct. Mountain Dulcimer Gathering in Colchester, and was shocked at how easy the instrument is to play. She has been playing ever since, and loves the many voices of the dulcimer, playing roots, blues, classical, ethnic music, lullabies, as well as the music of contemporary musicians.
Two of her own songs have been featured in Dulcimer Players News, a magazine and CD for and about dulcimer enthusiasts with an international distribution. As a performer, songwriter, teacher, and therapeutic musician, she is passionate about “spreading the dulcimer gospel”, taking great joy in introducing this beautiful original American folk instrument to others.
Beginners are welcome!
The workshop and concert are each $15, together the fee is $25.
Please register here.
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