Gary L. Hankins
Wichita Falls, Texas, United States | SELF | AFTRA
Music
Press
Dec.2005
The windy plains of Texas is the home of Spot of Blue. The main songwriter for the band is Gary Hankins and his guitar play swaggers between blues rock, countrified rock-n-roll, and roots rock. His unconventional voice reminds one of a smart blend of Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley. Spot of Blue could easily rock a juke joint or any bar east and west of the Mississippi. Good tight songwriting with an emphasis on rockin’.
- J-Sin
- Smother
SPOT OF BLUE – LIVIN' LIFE THIS WAY: Spot of Blue is founder Gary Hankins and a band of diverse, talented players. Gary is a singer/songwriter and rhythm guitar player. Hankins grew up in a musical family and has lived and worked in various parts of the United States. Gary pens poetic, real songs about America, life and travel. His music has a down-home flavor that blends a country base with assorted genres. Livin' Life This Way is Spot of Blue's impressive debut release. It features eleven earthy yet well-arranged songs that are light yet layered and serious. The CD explores a range of moods and "Hankins' vocals can capture the weary cynicism of Johnny Cash or the soft optimism of Jim Croce." 'Acey Deucey' is the playful opening track with cutting guitar chords and breaks flowing over a snappy rhythm. Hankins' vocals on the first song flip from gruff to smooth. The title track has a slow almost jazzy feel as Gary softy sings about the state of people and the planet. A subtle violin and backing vocalists also adds to the rich, reflective nature of the song. 'Amber' is a colorful tune that explores a full spectrum in under four minutes. Gary Hankins is an imaginative artist and Spot of Blue hits the spot!
• Recommended Tracks: (1,6,7) [USA/TX 2005 - web] (2006 Review by Laura Turner Lynch for Kweevak.com)
- Kweevak Music Magazine
Gary Hankins Spot of Blue,"Livin’ Life This Way" (Indie Release)
A great mix roadhouse country blues and ballads that don’t swing to the slick pop-trendy country that permeates most country radio airwaves today. There is a twist of rockabilly and Appalachian bluegrass to give this the album a unique sound. "Just a Cowboy" starts out like a country version of the Beatles "Blackbird" giving a very interesting song. At times Gary Hankins has an Elvis Presley voice, especially on the slower songs. A great alternative to today's average country and special kudos to the excellent guitar playing.
spotofblue.com
Rating:
Review by Scott H. Platt
- Ear Candy Music Reviews
by Micah Issit
Spot of Blue may have originated in the windy plains of Texas, but the
sound is more difficult to place. Gary Hankins,' the songwriter and guitar
player for Spot of Blue, takes his inspiration from a life spent traveling
the world and sampling the rich diversity of American culture. His music
defies conventional labels being derived from, but not indicative of, a
wide variety of styles. Spot of Blue must be experienced to be understood.
"Livin' Life This Way" is the debut album for Hankins and Spot of Blue.
Hankins' lyrics are thoughtful meditations, delivered with all the
attitude of Elvis and the poignant emotion of Jim Croce. His guitar rolls
like a Texas tumbleweed across his stories, portraying the artist as a
part of his surroundings.
Accompanying Hankins for Spot of Blue is the brilliant Tommy Nash on lead
guitar. Nash makes his guitar howl like a coyote on "Just a Cowboy," and
sways with the sounds of the surf in "Amber." Rolling bass lines are
provided by Aden Bubeck, a veteran of electric and stand-up bass who
understands the subtleties of his work and hums perfectly with Nash's
guitar and Hankins' lyrics. Two drummers, Jordan Richardson and Joey
Carter, lent their talents to Hankins' songs, providing rhythm for his
countryesque ballads and ambience for his more emotional torch songs.
In addition to the main body, Hankins is also fortunate to have the
assistance Douglas Edwards who plays haunting strings on "It Calls Your
Name," and adds subtle string accompaniment to several other songs. For
his empathic plea, "Spot of Blue," Hankins' breathy voice is joined by the
nearly spiritual tones of his backup singers; Ace Crayton, Katelyn
Patterson, and Julie Temple.
Each song on Livin' Life This Way is taken from a moment of personal
resonance within Hankins' life. "When They Arrange the Flowers," talks
about the floral arranger, designing bouquets for Valentines Day or for a
funeral, detached from the hopes of the person who gets the flowers. "It
Calls Your Name," is an ode to the sound of the wind as it flows through
the windows of his father's house. "I might see cows out in the field,"
Says Hankins, "and I would write a song about it, but relate it to
people's lives."
Hankins' life with his many unusual experiences gives him the foundation
for his songs but the final sound is the combination of Hankins'
inspiration and the personal, emotional contribution of his band.
"Everyone in the band puts a part of themselves into the songs." He says.
Spot of Blue has a sound that seems to follow the mind of its creator:
some songs bounce with a joyful rhythm while others tug at the emotions of
the listener drawing them into a lonely embrace or the melancholy shine of
a tear drop. Hankins talks about love, death, and life with a wisdom and
empathy that comes from his experience.
"It just comes from within." He says. "I will hear something or see
something and I create the story in my mind." Hankins is a storyteller
and with Spot of Blue, people are finally beginning to hear his story.
As "Livin' Life This Way" is released, Hankins and his band will attract
those who relate to his lonely lyrics and those who hear the drama of cult
cinema in the band's more haunting compositions and the optimism of the
California sun in their more flamboyant songs.
Throughout, Hankins' lyrics seem to carry an upbeat message about love and
togetherness that gives the entire album, even the darker tunes, a vaguely
comforting resonance. Hankins' message is consistently one of love, as he
says in Spot of Blue: "Cant we all just live together. take this world. and
make it better."
- Rainmaker
There are some musicians who play really really well. Then, there are those musicians who play really really well and just know what to play! With Spot of Blue, you're almost guaranteed the latter! Beautiful... WOW!!! More great stuff from "Spot of Blue." This particular groove, 'Blame It On Me' is something of a departure from their earlier material on their first album, "Livin' Life This Way" but what a nice departure it is. Jazzy, sweet and with an airy Latin beat, it just flows nice and easy-like into the ears. In fact, they all do! With 5 new songs on NOISEHEAD, (all from their new album entitled "Country Has No Color") Spot of Blue enhances their reputation as well as their repertoire with some great new music; a terrific and diverse selection of tracks that come with superb musicianship, high quality arrangements and that 'just slightly' off color, off tune (but highly recognizable) voice of Gary Hankins that's so reminiscent of Tom Rush from the 1960's and 70's (who was known for his unique and subtley beautiful arrangements and Northern folksy, down to earth and civilized but countrified out-of-the-mainstream voice). What this all adds up to is some really phenomenal new songs to sink your ears into. The next one, 'On A Wire' is just another great Gary Hankins-sounding tune... pure and classic Contemporary Country Pop; while, 'War Is Hell' (one of my favorites) just drives you into a chasm with some awesome Devil-may-care fiddle and guitar. 'Blowin' and Goin', another really nice-soundin' tune, adds some of that traditional-sounding light country folk to the overall mix; while their last and latest song up to now 'Waiting'... is just classic Gary Hankins, a little bit of Country, a little bit of Folk, and a little bit of Pop, played and sung with subtlety and feeling. Hats off to Spot of Blue for their rich use of wonderfully written, arranged and played musical compositions that just make you want to listen and listen up for more. - Magic Potion
- Noisehead
Discography
LP "Livin Life This Way"
Acey Deucey
I'm Gonna Tell You Somethin'
Pack It Up
It Calls Your Name
Just A Cowboy
Spot of Blue
Amber
Angel of Destruction
About You
When They Arrange the Flowers
Through Your Eyes
"Country Has No Color"
Blame It On Me
Waiting
War Is Hell
Blowin' and Goin"
On A Wire
Photos
Bio
Something different! A diverse mix of musician's
who each add their own style to make my songs come to life. I am Spot of Blue and write and sing the songs that inspire the talent of those who perform with me.
All of the musicians that perform with me are masters of their craft.
Tommy Nash who has years of experience stemming from his time with the Dixie Chicks during their first 4 years and also tours with Jerry Jeff Walker currently. A truly gifted musician.
Doug Edward adds beautiful violin and piano that comes from his work and education as a composer for film scores.
Scott and Jeff Miles are brothers who create a rythym with a understanding that comes from a life of music together and their work for many local bands and as session artist.
Influences are from a wide variety of artist from country, jazz, blues and pop. Jim Croce, Van Morrison, Jimmy Buffet, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, Elvis Presley,Gordon Lightfoot, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams even John Mayer to Jason Mraz.
My music goes back to times when I feel lyrics and music created a simpler time. I feel I give the audience something to feel and think about and that it touches a wide range of generations.
I'm conscious of feelings and situations of my life and how they reflect in my songs and allow my audience to relate these feelings to themselves.
I'm honest and sincere and hope it shows in my work.
Wichita Falls Texas,
the home base from which he has launched his first album, Spot of Blue, a collection of songs that, like their creator, are made from the richness
and variety of the world.
Hankins was born in Wichita Falls Texas where his father spent forty years
playing with a country western band. Everyone in Hankins' family was
musical. He remembers sitting with his family while his father, mother,
and uncle would sing country ballads set against the storied Texas
landscape.
Hankins moved to San Diego when he was still a baby and grew up near the
sea, where his grandfather, a Portuguese fisherman, was still working on a
tuna fleet near the bay. Hankins moved back and forth from Texas to
California for the next few decades absorbing on one side, the country
winds of the Texas grass land and on the other, the salt air and ocean
culture of San Diego.
On the coast, Hankins learned to love surfing, the freedom of the rolling
sea and the musical independence of the ocean wind. Surfing his way from
Mexico up the coast, Hankins visited and eventually moved to Hawaii where
he spent several years surfing among the paradise shores. As if carried by
the waves he eventually crossed the ocean again and, (by land) moved
around the west living in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Las Vegas.
Hankins' employment history has been as varied as his address: he designed
web pages in Hawaii, worked at the family store in Texas, and in
California he became an actor being featured in dozens of commercials and
bit parts. Acting, chance, and romance carried him across the ocean again
to the Czech Republic where he acted in a cult film and toured Europe,
falling in love with the landscape of Prague and Paris.
In Las Vegas, Hankins encountered the underside of humanity, working for a
mortgage company he saw men drive into town in Bentleys and leave by bus.
Eventually, while still living in California, a series of events would
irreversibly change the direction of Hankins' life. It started with the
tragic death of an old friend and the news that his father was growing
ill. The musical blood in Hankins' veins was already stirring when he
moved back to Texas to be near his father.
Back in Wichita Falls, Hankins found himself inspired. Everywhere he
looked, musical ideas filled his mind. A pasture of grazing cows, the wind
flowing through the windows in his father's house. Although Hankins had
always played and sang music, something in his life had snapped, and he
knew that there was something inside him that needed to come out.
Over the next year, Hankins began to write prolifically. The events,
scenery, loves, and tragedies of his life were cohering into a new
persona, a musical voice that Hankins begun to nurture.
Hankins located a studio in the area and began recording his music. At
first he was recording solo pieces and multitracking his instruments until
he met Bart Rose at First Street Audio, a brilliant producer who heard Hankins' unique compositions. Working together, Hankins and Rose began to rework the music, adding complexity and flavor to the milieu. One thing led to another and Hankins was introduced to other musicians and piece by piece Spot of Blue came together. The list of artist begins with Doug Edward, Tommy Nash, Scott and Jeff Miles combined on the most recent tracks for his next release and includes Aden Bubeck, Jordan Richardson, Katelyn Patterson on the CD "Livin Life This Way".
With a growing list of tale
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