Gary Schutt, born and raised in Monticello, NY, son of a profession drummer, started playing along to Bay City Roller's records on his fathers drum kit before his feet could reach the pedals.
Gary Schutt has basically been a one man solo artist since he was really young. Acquiring a cheap 4-track recorder and a slew of original tunes, he started recording & producing at age 15, writing, arranging and performing all the parts himself in his parents basement.
Gary graduated and taught at the prestigious Berklee College Of Music and continued writing, recording, producing and performing there.
Initially trained as a drummer, Gary quickly picked up guitar, bass and piano.
Once establishing himself as a well-rounded guitarist at Berklee College of Music, Gary participated in countless recitals, concerts and studio sessions. Although known as a confident guitarist on campus, Gary led a handful of recitals on vocals, played drums in a couple of shows, played bass for the popular local band IN THE PINK, and led his own original band PALISADE.
After graduating from Berklee, Gary started producing his own tapes of original music that he sold at numerous record stores around the Boston area. In June of 1992, Gary was featured in the "Spotlight" column of Guitar Player Magazine. Gary moved to Los Angeles in August of 1992 to join Jeff Scott Soto's (former singer for Yngwie Malmsteen) new band SLAM. Still continuing to write his own songs and self produce tapes, Gary now sold his five tapes through mail order and his original song catalog grew close to 100 songs. Gary soon showed up in Guitar for the Practicing Musician Magazine's "Resume" column in June 1993.
Locating to Florida after the 1994 Northridge earthquake, Gary joined West Palm Beach cover band SIGNAL ZERO. During this time Gary and Jeff Soto released a CD in Japan and Europe of all Gary Schutt tunes called "Sentimetal". Every magazine that reviewed the 11 song CD had nothing but praise for the up and coming talent.
In 1999, Gary released his new CD "Playthings" on the Chicago based Pulse Records label. Gary produced, wrote and performed everything on the entire album. Yes, for the first time we get to experience Gary as a singer!
In 2000, Gary performed "Live Wire" as a medley on the Motley Crue tribute CD "Kickstar My Heart" on Pulse Records.
Durring his career, Gary has performed/jammed with Gregg and Matt Bissonette (David Lee Roth), Neal Schon (Journey), Robin Zander (Cheap Trick), Eric Martin (Mr. Big), Dave Meniketti (Y&T), Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow), Ken Tamplin, Doug Aldrich (Dio, Whitesnake), Jimmy Paxson (Alanis Morrisette, Rod Stewart), Joe Travers (Duran Duran, Dweezil Zappa), Brian Tichy (Ozzy Osbourne, Billy Idol, Forigner, Witesnake), Julie Greaux (Billy Idol), Bryan Beller (Dweezil Zappa, Steve Vai, Dethklok), Mars Cowling (Pat Travers), Chris Wormer (Charlie Daniels, Jo Dee Messina), Ryan Hoyle (Collective Soul), Tom McDyne & Kevin Rothney (John Oliva's Pain) and Casey Grillo (Kamelot).
Since 2001, Gary has done numerous world tours as bassist for JEFF SCOTT SOTO (Yngwie Malmsteen, Journey, TSO). Gary has performed in Spain, Germany, Italy, France, Holland, Belgium, England, Ireland, U.S., Brazil and Australia.
In 2008 Gary performed the track "Carry Me Away" on a Rick Springfield tribute CD on Fast Lane Records.
On 11/13/2010 Gary's 6 piece original band played the annual RIBFEST in St Pete FL opening for Rick Springfield and Grand Funk Railroad. On 1/13/2011, Gary's trio played outside the Forum in Tampa FL before the Linkin Park concert. On 3/17/2011 Gary's trio opened for legenday guitarist Pat Travers.
National acts that Gary's numerous band¹s have shared the bill with are LENNY KRAVITZ, PETER FRAMPTON, N'SYNC, EDDIE MONEY, BTO, The FOUR TOPS, WAR, AMBROSIA, AVERAGE WHITE BAND, ERIC MARTIN, HARDLINE, HONEYMOON SUITE, TYKETTO, SCRAP METAL (w/ Mark Slaughter, Matt & Gunner Nelson, Kelly Keagy), MICHAEL W. SMITH, K.C. & the SUNSHINE BAND, RICK SPRINGFIELD, GRAND FUNK RAILROAD, PAT TRAVERS, ZO2 and FOZZY.
Gary continues touring with his coverband CATEGORY THREE and writing new original material for his next album!
