Gerry Jack Macks Brews Up Genre-Defying Boogie with Double-A Side Singles “Two Melissas” and “Too Many Times Down That Road”
Kamloops, British Columbia-based genre-defying musician Gerry Jack Macks is offering up a glorious one-two combo with the release of his Double-A side singles “Two Melissas” and “Too Many Times Down That Road,” a tandem brimming with bevies of boogie from start to finish. Both singles also feature Macks collaborating with talented young drummer Sara Varro and two-time Juno Award winner Al Lerman. And both songs started over a cup of coffee!
Macks says
“Two Melissas” was inspired after visiting Kamloops’ Red Beard Cafe for his usual coffee break in September 2020 after his regular go-to spot had pandemic-related capacity restrictions. A server, Melissa, waited on him, and they started talking about music. Originally thinking of writing a song inspired by his “landlady,” Melissa said “no one has written a song with my name.” Macks said he would before Melissa added there was another staffer also named Melissa. Hence, “Two Melissas.”
The artist says the melody and chorus almost came instantly to him while he drank his coffee. By the time Melissa checked to see how he was making out with his beverage, he started singing it. Some time later, the musician honed the lyrics for the entire song.
“Although originally meant to be about the Red Beard in Kamloops, the style of the song required more of a dance club atmosphere,” he says. “Not wanting to be misleading about the Red Beard, I reluctantly decided to change the location in the song to one with a dance floor and live band.” Macks then decided to use “Foxie’s,” a bar from long ago he remembered situated far away from Kamloops.
“Two Melissas” oozes plenty of boogie while bringing to mind the style of Carl Perkins and Ronnie Hawkins for its feel-good, old-school Sun-era energy. Macks sings, and plays rhythm guitar and electric bass while Lerman offers up a great amount of rollicking harmonica. And Varro keeps it all in check with solid drumming throughout. Macks wrote, recorded, produced, mixed, and mastered the song which was recorded at Kamloops’ Dusty Cottonwood Studios.
Equally stellar is “Too Many Times Down That Road” which showcases Mack’s unique musical style that defies genre boundaries. The song was born out of a chance encounter over a cup of coffee with his friend Al Lomas. The longtime trucker had just navigated a treacherous backroad filled with potholes and ruts. Inspired by Lomas’ description of the rough journey, Macks penned the song’s lyrics right there in the diner, capturing the essence of a challenging path with a catchy tune.
“Too Many Times Down That Road” is set to be a high-energy, genre-blending track that continues Macks’ tradition of pushing musical boundaries. The single is part of Macks’ ongoing effort to create music that defies categorization and appeals to a wide range of music enthusiasts.
Macks is not your typical artist. A multi-instrumentalist, he plays most of the instruments on his recordings, and his music effortlessly crosses the lines of various genres, including outlaw country, country rock, and southern rock. His work draws inspiration from rhythm and blues, pop, and Canadiana.
“I never really have any idea exactly what genre or genres a recording is when I release it,” Macks confesses. “The distributors force artists to choose from a strict list of genres before the artist can release recordings, and I always struggle with great angst when forced to pigeon-hole my music.”
Macks has a long and storied musical career that began in the early 1970s. With the support of legendary Edmonton musician Tommy Banks’ wife, Ida Banks, Macks quickly rose from a beginner on the music circuits of Alberta, BC, NWT, and the Yukon to a full-time music career.
Over the years, his music has evolved to encompass Jazz, Blues, Easy Listening, Country, Folk, Pop, Rock, and more. Macks’ upcoming projects include the highly anticipated Sleepy Time Sessions album, inspired by the likes of Louis Armstrong, Peggy Lee, and Nat King Cole, as well as several other roots-based albums.
“I have always had deep appreciation for the people who follow my music, and I take every opportunity to remain in personal contact with them,” says Macks.
Now with this Double-A Side release, Gerry Jack Macks is bringing his bottomless cup of boogie to the masses with “Two Melissas” and “Too Many Times Down That Road.”
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