Songwriter Archives - Books by Rose

March 2023

Gary Putthoff is a songwriter and musician. He has been entertaining audiences for many years. In this exclusive interview, Gary talks about his life in music and tells us how he became a songwriter. Hang with us as he reveals his newest song.

Musician and Songwriter - Gary Putthoff — Musician and Songwriter – Gary Putthoff

Rosie: Welcome back Gary! It’s been awhile since our last interview. You’ve branched out a lot these last few years.

Let’s first talk about how you became interested in music.

Tell us, did you go to school to learn more about your craft or did it come natural for you?

Gary: My father played the guitar on his lap with a metal slide, he called it Hawaiian guitar. It was always fun when he got out his guitar, this is where I got my desire to play. He only knew a few songs, one was the crawdad song. I re-did this song it is on my first published album “Chasin’ Dreams” and the slide riff at the end of the song is a tip of the hat to him.

I had formal training with guitar lessons I pursued in college.

Gary Puttoff — Musician and Songwriter – Gary Putthoff

My first remembrance was playing my neighbor’s guitar, I was 12 years old. A mutual friend of ours gave me an exact model that she had in her basement and I have kept it over 45 years now. My newest release “You Didn’t Say Goodby” uses this guitar to get that vintage sound that is sought after. I have often wondered if it is the same guitar.

I minored in music at Penn Valley and was in the jazz band there. I graduated from UMKC with a degree in Communications. I worked at KCUR 89.3 the college station for 3 years producing all the Saturday afternoon shows. Those shows included, “Many Phases of the Blues,” Cypress Avenue and more. I had created my own program there called Jazz Next Door which featured local artists. I also worked with Gaylord Marr. I worked at his home cataloging music for his library, now called the “Marr Archives” at UMKC. I also did some interviews
for the Blues Society magazine. That one is with, Lindsay Shannon (KC Blues historian.) It’s now registered in the KC Historical Society articles.

Rosie: That is so cool! You have been on quite a musical journey.

What has been your longest running gig?

Gary: The longest running gig I ever had was at a place called the Chestnut Inn on 12th street. It was at the end of being a famous country bar in KC with a rich history. Played every weekend there for a year with George Kelly.

Rosie: You and I have both discussed how authoring and songwriting are very much the same.

How did you become such a great songwriter?

Gary: I always wrote songs for fun. I took an online course through songwriters magazine to get some basics, like how important the “hook” is.

I became more serious about recording. I took a course in advanced recording at UMKC Conservatory of music which helped a lot.

Rosie: I bet you learned so much.

What are you currently working on?

Gary: I continue to write and record these days with the Blue Ridge Band. Friends and I play occasional gigs and at jam sessions. As I mentioned, I have released another new song “You Didn’t Say Goodby.” It’s about someone leaving without saying goodbye. The image is a picture of my girlfriend, Terry at Indian Rocks Beach.