GRINGO WILLY
SONG WRITER,
Musician,Entertainer
a little history

I was born in post World War II Germany, my dad was a military police officer.
Had alot of respect for him, he actually was a great artist, built some boats
by hand and some furniture and had a great voice, he played the violin as a kid.
But he was as they call, a lifer in the US Army.

I write songs and have performed solo and with a band.
Started playing the guitar around the age of 11 and formed my first band called
the Embers, after we figured out how to tune to each other my dad was stationed
overseas again and the family had to join him in Panama.

Back in the late 1960s, I performed with a rock band playing base guitar and vocals, we played
rock around the Maryland area, including for the USO at Ft Meade. I do not remember if we had a name.
Could not afford a van and did not like hauling heavy equipment so I started playing with a trio
and duos and ended up solo, playing in California on the beach and at the Trobador in LA.
I had just got back from touring Mexico, the hard way and noticed them selling things
and playing music on the beach for money, well I took there idea and it worked
until the police kind of put an end to a very lucrative gig in many senses. I did not
know police were undercover on the beach and one day they asked me nicely
not to sell my songs to people sunbathing

Did some musical theatre, then played the coffee house circuit in Boston, Cambridge and Cape Cod,
ended up at the first Medievel Manor in Boston as the Minstral of the Manor, It was located on the corner of
Mass ave and Commanwealth downstairs from a bar, it was a great job while I was in College studying Communications, worked 6 nights a week up to two shows a night and the cast got a free supper before the show, sometimes it was steak. I had an opportunity write, act, choreograph, dance had some interesting experiences.After college in the Mid 70ties I ended up traveling around Europe playing on the street and for meals..some small clubs in Athens, Greece and played the beaches for money and to meet new friends. Ended up in Florida and played the Key West sunset for a while fell in love and started a family.

Decided my family was where I was going to do my performing, played a few gigs,
professionally, wrote and performed some jingles,commercials, TV, Radio designed some print advertising ended up sharing music with my family and friends for almost 30 years.

Well the family is all grown up and I decided to move to Costa Rica and I am feeling creative and would like to share some music and images with you. Email me at: GringoWilly@gmail.com

By the way my new stage name is Gringo Willy, when I first moved to Central America I hated being called a Gringo, you can not change where your from no matter how many different countries you visit. Although I consider myself well traveled, I still like mashed potatos and hot apple pie with ice cream once in a while.

songs and videos

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