Gary's Music Book Collection

• Guitar Case Chord Book by Peter Pickow
• IMAGINE a Celebration of John Lennon
• Surely You're Joking Mr. Feynman! (Adventures of a Curious Character) by Richard P. Feynman
• Writing Music for Hit Songs by Jai Josefs
• The Craft of Lyric Writing by Sheila Davis
• How to Make Money Scoring Soundtracks and Jingles by Jeffrey P. Fisher
• How to Train Singers by Lara Browning Henderson

• Nashville Songwriting by Jerry Cupit

• An Introduction to Hard Disk Recording by Roland

• A Brief Guide to Microphones by Audio-Technica
• Encyclopedia of Percussion by John H. Beck
• Rhythm & Beauty: The Art of Percussion by Rocky Maffit
• Planet Drum by Mickey Hart and Frederick Lieberman

• Conga Drumming: A Beginner's Guide to Playing with Time by Alan Dworsky and Betsy Sansby

• Afro Cuban Drumming: A Comprehensive Guide to Traditional & Contemporary Styles by Glen Caruba

• A Rhythmic Vocabulary: A Musicians Guide to Understanding and Improvising with Rhythm by Alan Dworsky and Betsy Sansby

• Hip Grooves for Hand Drums: How to Play Funk, Rock & World-Beat Patterns on any Drum by Alan Dworsky and Betsy Sansby

• Secrets of the Hand: Soloing Strategies for Hand Drummers by Alan Dworsky and Betsy Sansby

• All  You Wanted to Know About The Djembe Drum by Dr. Doudou D Faye, PhD
• How to Play Drums by James Blades and Johnny Dean

• 200 Drum Machine Patterns by Rene-Pierre Bardet

• Afro-Latin Rhythm Dictionary by Thomas A. Brown
• Encyclopedia of Reading Rhythms: Text and Workbook for All Instruments by Gary Hess
• The Bongo Book by Trevor Salloum
• Changuito: A Master's Approach to Timbales by Jose Luis Quintana "Changuito
• Afro-Cuban Rhythms for Drumset by Frank Malabe and Bob Weiner
• Play Congas Now: The Basics & Beyond by Richie Gajate-Garcia
• Authentic Conga Rhythms by Bob Evans
• West African Rhythms for Drumset by Royal Hartigan
• Drum Circle: A Guide to World Percussion by Chaldo Eduardo & Frank Kumor

• Drum Circle Spirit: Facilitating Human Potential Through Rhythm

• Rumba Soloing Technique Volume 1:/Afro-Cuban Conga Drum Improvisation: Learn to Play Afro-Cuban Quinto Licks & Soloing by Cliff Brooks
• Rumba Soloing Technique Volume 2:/ Afro-Cuban Conga Drum Improvisation: Mastering Clave with Quinto Licks by Cliff Brooks
• DRUM! Magazine archive

The Titans! 1989-1990, Jam days

The Titans! -1989 (Transitional year from original group to cover band)

Members: (1st half of the year) 

Ken Geraci-guitar, songwriter, vocals

Daniel Geraci-bass, songwriter, vocals

Marc Geraci-drums

Steve Snyder-vocals

Members: (2nd half of the year) 

Ken Geraci-guitar, songwriter, vocals

Daniel Geraci-bass, songwriter, vocals

Marc Geraci-drums

Scott Linhardt-vocals

Events: 

• Mom Geraci's 1st cousins Kathy and Jeanie Carr lived in Los Angeles and had connections in the entertainment industry
• They had submitted our demo tape and headshots to various studios  
• One studio was interested in the band’s look and wanted us to audition for a Coca Cola commercial
• The entire band drove to Los Angeles to audition for the Coke commercial. 
• We happened to see Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers at the audition along with many other groups 
• Steve Snyder leaves the band 
• Scott Linhardt joins the band
• Band makes the transition to a cover band in the fall of 1989, agent Charlie Hatchett begins booking shows for us
• Band makes first road trip to Oklahoma City in November of 1989
• Gary Geraci mixes sound for the band for the first time
• Band meets singer of band that Black Oak Arkansas and perform  "Jim Dandy to the Rescue”

Memorable Shows: 

• Steamboat, Austin, TX
• The Back Room, Austin, TX
• Liberty Lunch, Austin, TX
• The Cannibal Club, Austin, TX
• UT Cactus Cafe, Austin, TX
• Sneakers (San Antonio, TX)
• Several shows in Oklahoma City

The Titans! -1990 (Full time cover band with an occasional original show)

Members:  

Ken Geraci-guitar, songwriter, vocals

Daniel Geraci-bass, songwriter, vocals

Marc-Geraci-drums

Scott Linhardt-vocals

Arnaud "Matrix" Robin-keyboards, vocals

Events: 

• Talent agent Debbie Murphy began booking the band in San Antonio, TX
• Band plays 3 to 4 times a week in San Antonio, TX
• Gary Geraci, living in San Antonio, TX begins to regularly run sound
• The band plays in front of thousands of people for a big outdoor St. Patrick’s day party at a Coco Beach in San Antonio
• Super fan Arnaud Robin joins the band
• Roger Bailey temporarily joined group for a couple of shows

Memorable Shows: 

• Clubs along St. Mary’s Street in San Antonio including
• Coco Beach, Sonova Beach, Tycoon Flats, Buckos,
• Marriot Lounge River walk, San Antonio, TX
• Billy Marbles on the River walk, San Antonio, TX
• Sneakers, San Antonio, TX
• Steamboat, Austin, TX
• Maggie Maes, Austin, TX
• Toulouse, Austin, TX
• 1950s revival party in Laredo, TX
• Multiple wedding receptions, college fraternity parties, high school proms (Texas)

Courtesy Marc Geraci. Visit Marc's Soundcloud page for a selection of original music.

Going to Hollywood

I also had a few hours off back then to enjoy a night or two in Old San Antonio:

• I was able to follow this great basketball team in town known as the San Antonio Spurs and developed a real admiration for one of its newest star players, center David Robinson, a civil engineering graduate from the US Naval Academy.

• I got to see this great blues guitarist perform outside downtown San Antonio named Stevie Ray Vaughan (La Semana Alegre, Hemisphere Park, April 25, 1990.)  I'll never forget the opening and smoking instrumental piece, Testify; Mr. Vaughan's silk shirt blowing in the wind and the crowd, gaping opened mouth in amazement.

In those days I had only been repressing what someone in 2011 might call an "American Idol" like ambition for fame and stardom; it was destined to resurface sooner or later. 

A fund raising opportunity with the local Public Television Station KLRN came up.  If I would donate a year's worth of cleaning services, the station would come out and shoot a mini-commercial for me and I could be in it.  Deal!  A homeowner allowed me the use of her home, one of our housekeeping staff signed up to clean before the camera, and I "starred" in the spot by delivering a catchy tag line at the end.

Though I visibly shook during my line "Where the customer is our Prime Concern!" I was star struck.  Quick as I could, I joined up for acting and modeling classes with Cliff Osmond/John Casablancas, a talent agency of sorts and my sights were set for Hollywood. 

Gary Geraci, 1989

In a few short months I had modeled tuxedos on runway or two, did freeze modelling for a mall clothing store (while resisting juvenile delinquents trying to make me laugh), advertised for a local apartment during a photo shoot "playing" tennis, and acted as a silent juror during a TV commercial for a prominent San Antonio lawyer.  But I wasn't getting to leave the country or for that matter, the city any time soon like to New York, LA, or Paris. Oh yeah, did I say that I wasn't really cut out to act? I just got too nervous with speaking parts and could never make it past the audition, not good.  

Well, that's OK, I needed to stay in San Antonio anyway so that I could continue on with the obligations of my day job and, wait a minute, my brothers' Austin, TX band The Titans! was starting to get famous - in San Antonio!

The Titans! 1986-1988, Ramp-up

The Titans! -1986 (Sound influenced by Austin, TX pop-metal groups)

Members: 

Ken Geraci - guitar, songwriter, vocals

Daniel Geraci-bass, songwriter, vocals

Marc Geraci-drums

Glen Barnes-vocals

Brent Preace-keyboards vocals (Daniel Geraci's friend from Taco Bell)

Events: 

• Raymond Goda became our manager (Ken Geraci's friend from HEB)
• Recorded in the studio again, John Viehweg engineered
• Daniel Geraci became more involved in songwriting
• Had a regular gig on 6th street (Austin, TX) at Sunrise Subs & Deli
• Raymond Goda organized the infamous McNeil party event 
• This was supposed to be the next Lago Party- the band printed up tickets with Marc Geraci and friend John Blankenship selling them for $7 each 
• Two or three other bands were on the billing, but the party was busted by Williamson County Sheriff's Department and the Titans only got to play a few tunes   
• Does one still contact Marc Geraci for a full refund to that busted party?

Memorable Shows: 

• Sunrise Subs & Deli 6th St, Austin, TX (Band Photos)
• Ritz Theater 6th St, Austin, TX
• McNeil mega party, Austin, TX
• Anderson Mill‘s 4th of July Festival (played with Eric Billingsley’s band The Ponies), Austin, TX

The Titans! -1987 (The band went through a Beatles phase, the band's sound reflected this)

Members: 

Ken Geraci- guitar, songwriter, vocals

Daniel Geraci-bass, songwriter, vocals

Marc Geraci-drums

Steve Snyder-vocals

Glen Barnes-vocals

Mike Deleon-vocals

Events: 

• Steve Snyder rejoins the group
• Glen Barnes leaves the band
• Mike Deleon joins the group
• The band starts wearing suits
• November: Brothers Ken, Dan, and Marc Geraci went to New York City to shop demo around  

Memorable Shows: 

• We played our fist TV appearance at Austin Access Station TV Show. We played about 6 songs. 
• The Back Room, Austin, TX 
• Steamboat, Austin, TX

The Titans! -1988 (Our sound became heavier again)

Members: 

Ken Geraci- guitar, songwriter, vocals

Daniel Geraci-bass, songwriter, vocals

Marc Geraci-drums

Steve Snyder-vocals

Mike Deleon-vocals

Events: 

• Recorded new demo in the studio to submit to various record companies
• “Do it Right” was featured on Austin's Glitch Sampler (This one is a compilation of local, Austin TX groups in 1986) and we received favorable reviews 
• Ken and Dan Geraci went to Los Angeles to shop demo around

Memorable Shows: 

• Backroom, Austin, TX (Band Photos) 
• Steamboat, Austin, TX (Band Photos)
• Joe’s Generic Bar, Austin, TX 

Courtesy Marc Geraci. Visit Marc's Soundcloud page for a selection of original music.

Pilgrimage Park

Creating and implementing a good system would be the key to success of my new start-up cleaning company, Prime Concern, Inc.  Keeping expenses low, I rented a 10'x10' windowless laundry closet in the prominently located Century Building (San Antonio,TX) and away I went. 

My favorite cleaning project involved the 1987 Papal visit to San Antonio, Texas. 


The head of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church was coming to my neck of the woods.  You could have even called me a fallen away Catholic but I was still elated.  I was selected to provide the cleaning services to the nearby RV park known as Pilgrimage Park.  Somehow I was inspired by Pope John Paul, II getting out and making the beat, and I was honored to serve travelers and pilgrims coming to see this man, the successor of St. Peter, although I didn't quite make that connection back then.


When it was all said and done, I had front row access to the packed papal mass although the RV camper turnout to Pilgrimage Park was just mediocre.  My staff and I kept the facility spic-n-span as agreed.   Regrettably, the check the promoter (Pilgrimage Park) wrote for payment bounced - I was able to scramble and get everyone paid anyway.

I charged a fair price and paid an above average hourly rate.  Within two years my accountant was congratulating me for being one of his youngest clients to have net sales receipts exceeding $250,000. 

Although I believed in taking care of the customer and employee alike,  at times, either the customer or the employee didn't always take care of me.  Clients would sometimes hire trained staff out from under me and the staff wouldn't always show up when they were scheduled for duty.  This left me to clean the house or lose the client and so I cleaned the house.  If I had understood "offering up" one's suffering I might have persevered a bit a longer but I was getting frustrated and burned-out.