Northwest Arkansas Times

‘World class’: Guitarist Gary Hutchison shows talent without fame can still be rewarding

BY ADAM WALLWORTH Northwest Arkansas Times

Posted on Monday, November 29, 2004

URL: http://www.nwanews.com/story/nwat/22330

If success were measured in the ability to live one’s dream, Gary Hutchison quite possibly would be the world’s richest man. "I’m at the mid-point in my career," said Hutchison, whose career has produced numerous bands, records, cassettes, CDs and DVDs over the past three decades. "I still got 30 years left in me," he said.

The guitar has led Hutchison through a life as unique as the style that he has developed since taking up guitar in the midst of the British invasion, when bands like the Beatles brought Americans a new twist on Rock ‘N Roll. "I started playing trumpet in the fifth grade and then about two years later — the summer of’ 66 — decided to switch over to guitar. I figured out chicks dug guitar players more than trumpet players," Hutchison said. "[It was during] the big music boom — the British invasion — just on the tail end of the folk boom, everybody was getting electric guitars. All my friends would get together and swap chords we’d learned," he continued. "I just stuck with it, everybody else let it go."

For the past decade Fayetteville residents have experienced the wail of Hutchison’s guitar as part of local blues band Oreo Blue. Face-melting solos and funky riffs are backed up by guitar tricks reminiscent of Jimi Hendrix. "A lot of people say he’s a 12-year-old kid trapped in 51-year-old’s body," said Stephen Boudreaux, who has kept the beat for Hutchison as Oreo Blue drummer for the past six years. "[Hutchison] is one of the most dynamic, and somewhat intriguing personalities — fraught with charisma," Boudreaux said. "Charisma oozes out of this guy, he’s one that captures attention."

World-class musician

Watching Hutchison’s fingers fly over the neck of his Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster electric guitar, it is no wonder fans, friends and band mates consider him among the best players. "The guy can hold his own musically, really with any guitar player I can name, that includes all the greats; [Jimi] Hendrix, [Eric] Clapton, Stevie Ray [Vaughan,] he’s an extremely versatile player," Boudreaux said.

From a musician’s standpoint, Boudreaux said, Hutchison is one of the best. "He’s so under rated it just blows me away," Boudreaux said.

When Oreo Blue recently headlined an international guitar convention in Dallas, Texas, Hutchison astounded the audience with his playing ability, Boudreaux said. "Renowned guitar players dropped their jaws," Boudreaux said, about the performance. Hutchison’s lifelong dedication earned him recognition for a lifetime of achievement at the 2004 Ozark Music Awards. "It was a great honor," Hutchison said of being recognized by his peers, though the show’s long from over. "B. B. King’s almost 80, and still spends 300 days on the road," Hutchison said about the award. "So I’ll come back when I’m 80."

Slight return

For Hutchison, a life of music was not an option, and though fulfilling, life on the road takes its toll.

A lifetime as a musician has resulted in a rich history of experiences and wild stories, Hutchison said. "But none you could print in the paper," he said.

Though things change as the years pass, Hutchison said, a person must be truly committed to music to make it a profession. It takes patience and persistence to be successful, he said, and though for many success is being signed to a record label, there is much to be said about being able to live your life the way you want. "I define [success] as being able to make a living doing what you love," Hutchison said. "I’ve never gotten rich but I never had to compromise to the point of getting a regular day job."

Over the past three decades, however, a life of music has, at times, made personal relationships a bit interesting, Hutchison said. "It may have caused problems, but I never let it become a problem," he said. "It wasn’t the music but peripheral things."

Hutchison said that while it wasn’t the sole cause, he recently ended a marriage because of his profession, even though he contemplated the unthinkable. "She just decided she didn’t want to be married to a musician," Hutchison said. "I made the offer [to quit performing], I slowed down — other things forced it but that was a factor — I’d never be happy with out music."

Hutchison said that while he is a completely different person than he was in his younger days, music is an inherent challenge to relationships. "It does cause problems. It’s tough to be a musician and be married," Hutchison said. "Now in my life I’m a totally different person, but as young, touring musician, it’s hard to be married and do the right thing — at least it was for me; I don’t want make the blanket statement and have a bunch of musicians call me and say ‘you screwed up my life.’

" I’m going to get whole bunch guys in trouble, "he said.

With a guitar collection that exceeds 70, and a guitar memorabilia collection that features" everything guitar, "Hutchison has become more aware of his own mortality.

" I did live the sex, drugs and rock and roll thing, especially back late 70s and early 80s before all the complications came along — it’s more like a natural evolution, "Hutchison said." I just hit certain milestones. I realized it was too late to die young and leave a good-looking corpse, so I started taking care of myself. "

Though writing and performing music is still his life’s blood, Hutchison said he has grown passionate about teaching.

" Not everyone who can play can impart knowledge, "Hutchison said.

Hutchison has recently issued a beginning guitar instructional DVD and is a regular feature of guitarcollege. com, to which he contributes a blues segment.

Teaching is also a way to keep up with trends in music, Hutchison said." One of the good things about teaching, it keeps my style fresh, "Hutchison said." I don’t change, but am always infusing it with things. "

World-class friend

Though Hutchison’s skill at guitar has earned him a reputation across the region, his greatest accomplishments are lesser known. Other aspects of Hutchison’s life may have been adversely affected by his profession, but for one friend of 20 years, music has been a testament of his character.

" He always made me feel I have plenty of talent and let me in bands I probably shouldn’t have been in. He made space for me through things he did [with the guitar], "said Klaus Ammons, who has played bass guitar with Hutchison in bands such as the Underdogs and various sit-in gigs.

Though Hutchison’s skill with the guitar is exceptional, Ammons said, it is his friendship that sets him apart.

" He’s my best friend, even through all of our toughest times, where other people let you fall by the wayside, he’s been right there in my corner, "Ammons said." When he gives his word, it’s like solid gold, "

Though his musical ability could have propelled his career, Ammons said Hutchison has always placed his family above his ambition, and chose to be a father to his children, now his youngest, 3-year old, Macy.

" As father he’s always been right there for his family. His biggest sacrifice nobody knows about, "Ammons said of Hutchison.

" He is a world-class guitar player and has had opportunities to go out and make millions on the road, but the biggest sacrifice from a personal standpoint, is passing all that up so he could be there for his children, "Ammons said." He didn’t do it grudgingly; that was his first priority. He always sacrificed his own future opportunities and future success to make sure his family was cared for. "I don’t think you can say a whole lot more about a man than that," Ammons said.