Gary Wood
Drums, Percussion, Lead and Backup Vocals
Gary Wood – aka, “The Quiet One,” Gary handles some lead and harmony vocals, and most importantly, is responsible for laying down the backbeat that drives the Salty Bones engine. Gary started his drumming sojourn back in 1969, joining his father (pedal steel), grandfather and uncle, playing everything from country to early rock and roll. He also was involved in a couple of garage bands while in high school. While declining to name them for this interview (perhaps out of embarrassment), a little birdie told us they were named Woody and the Woodpeckers and the Psychedelic Paisley 13thFloor Elevator.
After graduating from high school – and perhaps inspired by Easy Rider, Then Came Bronson and the lure of Route 66 - Gary hitchhiked across the country, working odd jobs to make ends meet. Desiring to “see all that this country had to offer,” he was especially inspired by the World’s Largest Ball of Twine in Black Oak, Arkansas and Buddy Miles’ childhood home in Omaha, Nebraska.
Gary then joined the Navy in 1976, honorably serving his country until his retirement in 1996. At that point Gary, his wife and family settled in Newport, N. Carolina where he has played in a number of local bands, among them Full Coverage and Slyde, focusing on classic rock. Slyde stayed together for close to 20 years, finally dissolving when their lead singer took a full-time job as an Amway salesman. After Slyde, Gary played in a number of local bands until he landed his dream gig with Salty Bones.
Gary’s musical influences are primarily classic rock bands of the ‘60’s and ‘70’s, including The Stones, Grand Funk Railroad, Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, Blue Cheer, Black Sabbath, Red Hot Chili Peppers, King Crimson, Blue Oyster Cult (if it has a color in the name Gary probably digs it), Lynyrd Skynyrd, CCR, Santana, and Aerosmith. Few know this (until now) but Gary’s “guilty pleasure” is bubblegum pop from the ‘60’s, especially the Archies, 1910 Fruitgum Company, the Ohio Express, the Cufflinks and the Royal Guardsmen. To relax, Gary watches re-runs of Gilligan’s Island, constantly devising ways for the castaways to escape the island.
Gary plays Ludwig drums.
