Singer~Songwriter~Musician~Producer
ABOUT
Gary Russell Wertz (GRW) started his musical career as a youngster at 14 years old in the New York Punk scene of the early 1980s, playing CBGB’s. Inspired by his heroes from the British invasion, Garage Punk, American Hard core & Country & Western, Gary begin writing, singing & recording his own songs at an early age, recording his tunes on a beat up Tascam 4track. At 20, Gary joined the quirky pop combo the Mommyheads & moved west to San Francisco. 2007 heralded the beginning of an intense musical relationship with the fine artist & genius songwriter Kyle Ranson. Recording as Strawberry Smog, they proceeded to unleash a masterpiece trilogy of Psychedelic Folk albums (Purgatorious, 2&3 & their latest, 2018’s Forevers) all produced by Gary. In 2011, another GRW L.P., the hard rock inspired “Wet Rocks” emerged on the desert rock label Treasure Craft. In 2018, Gary relocated to Nashville,Tennessee to connect with the many fine producers and pickers that can be found there. He has been a featured performer at The Bluebird Cafe and other legendary local music venues. GRW has performed on stage with: Rayland Baxter,David Catching (EoDM), Junior Reid, Eric McFadden, Junior Toots, Jackson Brown and many others. And He’s comfortable playing in any environment- be it a benefit for cannabis farmers in the mountains of Mendocino, an underground Hip Hop party in Queens, New York, Jamaican T.V. or serenading Rita Marley during her private birthday celebration in Miami. There are no boundaries. GRW’s New Rock and Soul Album “Psychic Soul” features startling production work by Brendan Benson (Raconteurs) Boo Mitchell (Bruno Mars, Al Green) and Mark Pistel (Consolidated,Michael Franti) GRW, Lisa Austin and their daughter Lorretta live, work and create at Sacred Dog Ranch- an animal rescue and regenerative farm just outside Nashville TN. The Ranch features a recording studio, organic gardens, over 150 animals, and horseback riding. The family is committed to environmental restoration, organic farm to table food production, holistic education and a deep spiritual connection to Nature. Sacred Dog has been featured on HGTV and in music videos for Billy Strings, Sierra Ferrall and many more.