What inspired Gary to record a compact disc?
"It was probably due to VORTEX becoming successful over
a period of time. We weren't 'brand new'
anymore. We had the support of the COMMUNITY PARK DISTRICT
OF LAGRANGE PARK and the ILLINOIS ARTS COUNCIL. We also
have a loyal and continually expanding patron base.
Nearly all of our productions have made profits, so
there was no longer the necessity to write original,
royalty-free plays for the group to produce. I wanted
to fill the summer of 2000 with a new creative endeavor."
"I
had always secretly desired to record a compact disc.
With a few well-received musicals behind me, I felt
the timing was right. It also helped to have a stash
of money set aside for the project."
"I buried myself in books about the music business, became
an ASCAP member, and launched GET IT NOW MUSIC, my own
record label and publishing company. I knew very little,
however, about how to begin the recording process. Nobody
I knew had done a professional recording before. I didn't
want to make cold calls to studios from the Yellow Pages,
so I gave Kate Nir a call."
Kate Nir had been the musical director for LITTLE LEAGUE
BASEBALL, a musical Gary had written, and which VORTEX
had staged in 1999. She had mentioned that she had some
studio experience, and offered to find the right recording
studio and musicians.
The entire DARE TO BE KIND cd was recorded from August thru
November 2000. After mixing, mastering, artwork,
and insert design were completed, the debut release
on the GET IT NOW MUSIC label became available in August
2001.
"It's
been a long, hard road, but DARE TO BE KIND has been
worth waiting for. It was recorded by a patient, talented,
and well-respected engineer, the musicians on the album
are sensational, and I'm proud of my vocals and the
supporting vocalists, one of whom is my sister, Linda.
Hearing my music performed in a studio setting erased
any lingering doubts I may have had about whether I
had done the right thing. Even as I wrote check after
check, at the same time I thought, 'What took me so
long?'"
Nearly all of the 16 songs on the album had prior lives in
Gary's musical plays, but the new arrangements
and revised, "genericized" lyrics have given
them a renewed vigor on what he describes as "an
eclectic, country/pop- flavored" offering. Gary
hopes to garner some radio airplay, and he definitely
envisions some live performances once things begin to
take off. The first single, "Every Day Should Be
Mother's Day" is a tribute to all of the mothers
of the world. It was released to radio in May 2001.
"I've heard it said that an artist's
first album takes a lifetime to write. I'm an 'average
Joe' who should appeal to the musical tastes of
most adults. It's difficult to describe your own
musical style, but I've been compared to artists
as diverse as James Taylor, Neil Diamond, Neil Young,
Fleetwood Mac, the Smithereens, and John Denver. I'd
like to think of it as 'Music With A Message.'
I have something to say with this CD, and I hope listeners
enjoy the music and the message."
"This experience has made me realize that all humans exist
for a purpose. Countless friends and family members
have encouraged me throughout the process. Nobody told
me I was crazy for doing this. I have no idea what compelled
me five years ago to write a full-length musical about
the history of my hometown; if that hadn't been
written, staged, and wildly successful, I am certain
there wouldn't have been any more musicals, and
probably no CD."
"We
need to recognize the situations that cry out for us
to assist others. It may involve volunteer work, or
helping somebody out financially; it may be as simple
as giving someone a kind word of encouragement, a listening
ear, a shoulder to cry on, or a tender hug. Be a friend
or stranger who can be relied upon. We all have a reason
for living on this Earth; there are angels in all of
our lives, and we need to be angels for others as well.
I am indebted to the angels who have touched my life."
God bless, and DARE TO BE KIND!
Gary
Charles Metz
August 2001
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