Tony Madalone and several other folks have told me I sound a lot like Dean Martin when I sing. Today, while performing at an adult day care center, one of the state inspectors came for a surprise visit. He was in the director's office when I fired up and commented it was nice they had music for the the folks during the time they were there, and he was really a big Dean Martin fan. He then said, I never knew that Dean Martin sang any of Merle Haggard songs, especially Silver Wings. She replied, that's not Dean Martin - it's Gary Diamond. He said, "I know Dean Martin's voice, and I worked for a PR Company in NY for years and he was one of our accounts. I got free tickets to see him all the time, and I know his voice when I hear it." She chuckled and replied, "Well, that's Gary Diamond, it's not recorded music, and would you please come with me." She led him around the corner where I was playing and he was astounded. He thought they were playing a CD over the house system. She later related the story to everyone in attendance after the inspector left the building - everyone got a big chuckle, including me.

Another fun day as an OMB entertainer,

Gary

Cool story Gary!!!! I always wanted to know s0meone from the Rat Pack!!!!! -charley

I heard some women stopped Merle Haggard in the middle of a song and told him that he sounded just like Don Mason!
That's what I heard.

I get that all the time for different artists that I emulate.

Funny ... I heard that Engelbert was once compared to YOU!

I've been compared to this famous singer, especially when I use the Tyros Vocal Harmony.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekeq4szDmJo

Jerryghr

LOL! To do that, Jerry, you need to sing out of both sides of your mouth at the same time. That guy needs to be Put In his place, if you get my drift.

Young stripper from a nearby club to the place I play regularly said I remind her of Willy Nelson.

I told the B**** to LEAVE.

Then, I went home and trimmed by grey beard and hair (LOL)!


R.

Willie plays a lot of jazz chords and riffs.

Ever wonder why country music is more popular then jazz to the masses?

Donny, I figure it's not the meek that will inherit the earth....it's the REDNECKS!

Actually, music-wise, I don't much care about the masses!


Russ (snob) Lay

You can understand the words and they tell of life's experiences, to which many of us can relate. It has melody lines you can remember and sing along with. I'm talking about older stuff. Much of the newer country music is not REALLY much country, more rock/pop.
There is certainly a place for everything, I try hard not to put down any genre. Except rap and songs with filthy words.
I actually do quite a number of songs that could be considered light jazz and standards.

Don, Willy is MY MAN! He's better than many, but, in the grand scheme of things, not much of a player.


Hell of a writer, though. And, a real star in the annuals of music history.


R.

Gary, did you mean "compliment", instead of "complement"?


R.

No he means salt and pepper.

My best compliment: 1980, playing at a Ramada in Lexington. Piedmont airlines would overnight flight crews at the motel.

My photo disappeared from the poster in the lobby. A week or so later, a young flight attendant brought me a polaroid (remember those?) of a section of the wall in the area where flight crews left Miami.

Under the photo, a caption:

"WATCH OUT FOR THIS GUY IN LEXINGTON"!

I was so proud!


Russ (former horndog) Lay

Oh I thought you said condiment.
I compliment you on your complement from the airline!