Biography

Contact Information
Gary Brewer - (502)541-2456
gary@brewgrass.com
Wayne Brewer - Management - (502)262-1742
wayne@brewgrass.com
Alyssa Brewer - Publicity - (502)435-9295
alyssa@brewgrass.com

Gary Brewer and the Kentucky Ramblers

Memories Of Home

Gary Brewer and the Kentucky Ramblers headed into the studio to record Memories of Home in late 1996 and finished up in early 1997. Gary featured many original tunes and he arranged several songs written by others. A treat included on this particular record is Gary Brewer's very own firstborn son "Gary Wayne "Little Stretch" Brewer Jr. on a tune called Y'all Come. You can really feel the family love and bond on that one! It features 3 generations rolled up into one tune (Finley J. Brewer Jr., Gary Brewer, and Gary Wayne Brewer Jr.).

Release Date: 1997

THE BAND

Gary "Stretch" Brewer- Guitar, Mandolin, Bass (on Pretty Women/Fast Horses), Lead and Harmony Vocals
Steve Day- Fiddle, Tenor Vocals
Larry Beasley- Banjo (on tracks 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11), Baritone Vocals
Chris Geary- Banjo (on tracks 1, 2, 8, 12, 13), Baritone Vocals
Dennis Talley- Acoustic Bass
Alan Phelps- Dobro
Special Appearance by Gary Wayne "Little Stretch" Brewer Jr. who celebrated his second birthday 2/8/97, and makes his musical debut on guitar and lead vocals on Y'all Come.

Engineered by: Tim Haertel & TNT Productions, Louisville, KY
Mixed by: Tim Haertel, Jim Brewer, and Gary Brewer
Recording Assistant: Jim Brewer
Recorded 12/96 and 1/97
Digital Editing & Mastering by: Airshow, David Glasser, Springfield, VA
Cd Layout and Design: Carolyn H. Sturgill

1. GONE FISHING WITH DAD- (4:47)

Songwriter: Gene Duty (BMI)
Arranged by- Gary Brewer
Publishing/PRO: Stretchgrass Music


2. I'LL BE DANGED- (2:52)

Songwriter: Gary Brewer
Publishing/PRO: BMI - Stretchgrass Music


3. PRETTY WOMEN/FAST HORSES- (2:23)

Songwriter: Harold W. Raley and C.R. Wilson
Arranged by: Gary Brewer
Publishing/PRO: BMI - Stretchgrass Music


4. OLD WILLIAM SMITH- (4:17)

Songwriter: Gary Brewer
Publishing/PRO: BMI - Stretchgrass Music


5. A MOTHER'S LOVE- (3:03)

Songwriter: Gary Brewer
Publishing/PRO: BMI - Stretchgrass Music


6. RICH BEGGAR MAN - (5:14)

Songwriter: Gary Brewer
Publishing/PRO: BMI - Stretchgrass Music


7. ROSINE, KENTUCKY- (2:41)

Songwriter: Harold W. Raley and C.R. Wilson
[b[Arranged by: Gary Brewer
Publishing/PRO: BMI - Stretchgrass Music


8. THERE'S BETTER TIMES A'COMING- (2:42)

Songwriter: Traditional
Publishing/PRO: Traditional


9. THE LAST PETAL- (6:25)

Songwriter: Gene Duty
Arranged by: Gary Brewer
Publishing/PRO: BMI - Stretchgrass Music


10. A SWEET LITTLE CHEROKEE- (2:35)

Songwriter: James A. Hines
Arranged by: Gary Brewer
Publishing/PRO: BMI - Stretchgrass Music


11. MEMORIES OF HOME- (4:38)

Songwriter: Gary Brewer
Publishing/PRO: BMI - Stretchgrass Music


12. I'VE GOT OVER- (4:43)

Songwriter: Gene Duty
Arranged by: Gary Brewer
Publishing/PRO: BMI - Stretchgrass Music


13. THIS MORNING AT NINE- (2:37)

Songwriter: Sidney Campbell
Publishing/PRO: Zap Publishing Company


14. Y'all Come- (0:59)

Songwriter: Traditional
Publishing/PRO: Traditional




Gary Brewer & the Kentucky Ramblers (GBKR), a family band that goes back 6 generations into their musical roots, has performed in all 50 US states, Canada, and Europe extensively since being formed in 1980. GBKR takes the stage performing Bluegrass originals, Country music classics, foot-stomping Old-time Mountain Music, and good ole Gospel hymns; offering a little something for everybody. Gary has stamped their style of music as “Brewgrass”.

During his music career, Gary Brewer has recorded for multiple major record labels including Copper Creek releasing 29 studio albums and a double live album (recorded on one of his European tours). Now, he has released an additional 21 albums on his own label, SGM Records (Stretch Grass Music). Among the SGM releases is “Kentucky Headlines and Heartbreak” including 3 tracks. One of the tracks titled “The Death of Floyd Collins” was the soundtrack for “The Floyd Collins Story” movie (released on Peridot Pictures). GBKR’s 2018 release, “Vintage Country Revival” brought great success charting at #1 on the Global Country Radio Charts and was included on the 1st round ballot in the 61st GRAMMY Awards (for Best Americana Album & Best American-Roots performance).

Their most recent album on SGM “40th Anniversary Celebration” was released during the start of the COVID-19 Global Pandemic in May 2020. Climbing the Billboard Bluegrass Albums Chart to the #1 spot multiple times and holding in the top 5 for over 70 weeks, this CD Release garnered massive media attention for the group. The lead single (Goin’ Up Shell Creek ft. The Travelin’ McCourys) was premiered by American Songwriter saying “The track is a well written and pristinely executed Bluegrass tune that keeps its energy up without losing control. The song comes equipped with every element it needs to be a complete and cohesive piece of music.” Instead of a traditional CD release party, GBKR opted for a virtual one that included the full album along with studio footage and commentary from various music icons: Paul Schiminger, Jamie Dailey, Larry Sparks, Russell Moore, Sam Bush, Chris Joslin (Executive Director of the Bluegrass Hall of Fame), Little Roy Lewis, Greg Cahill, J.P. Pennington, and many more (all with kind words for Gary). The virtual CD release party was premiered by Bluegrass Life. The album critically praised by countless outlets, Midwest Record Reviews said “40th Anniversary Celebration” is “The Biggest Bluegrass record since ‘Dueling Banjos’!” GBKR was featured on/in the following outlets due to GBKR’s 40th Anniversary and its CD Release: Medium Magazine, Thrive Global, Music Row, NewsBreak, Take Effect, Bluegrass Today, Roots Music Report, The Bluegrass Situation, Vents Magazine, Bluegrass Unlimited, The Bluegrass Standard, and more. “40th Anniversary Celebration” was included in 6 categories on the initial round ballot for the 63rd GRAMMY Awards and up for “Collaborative Recording of the Year” at the 2020 IBMAs. Needless to say, even without having the opportunity to promote their 40th Anniversary CD on the road, GBKR had one of their most successful years yet in 2020.

The entire Brewer clan has come by their musical talents honestly. They have true respect for their roots that reach back to the 1920s including third-generation Brewer, Finley J. “Pap” Brewer Sr., performing with the Original Carter family. Because of such a great love for music being passed down for generations, Gary is a strong traditionalist. He has toured alongside many Bluegrass music legends throughout his career. He esteems being the last person to have commercially recorded with the late and great Bill Monroe on his “Guitar” CD one of his highest accomplishments (later resulting in Gary becoming a Guitar Player of the Year finalist at the IBMAs).

“This boy right here is 100% Bluegrass! He comes from good stock.”
-Bill Monroe (The Father of Bluegrass)

Also, included in his 50 recordings is an All-star tribute album to the King of Bluegrass, Jimmy Martin, released before he passed. Gary named the album “Jimmy Martin Songs for Dinner”. The title track “Jimmy Martin Songs for Dinner” went on to also be released on Jimmy Martin’s CD “Songs of a Freeborn Man” on CMH Records, and was included on the DVD “The Life & Times of Jimmy Martin” (released on Straight Six Films).

“Gary is a great guitar picker and has a great voice. Him and his dad have the best show on the circuit!” -Jimmy Martin (The King of Bluegrass)

Though he is a Bluegrass music veteran, Gary is the type that isn’t afraid to branch out to other genres. Gary has had chart-topping songs/CDs in Bluegrass as well as Americana, Old-time, Country, Gospel, and even Rock! Gary has been accredited as one of the only Bluegrass performers to record and have international radio chart success with Rock classic covers of Elvis, CCR, and Kansas.

In addition to touring internationally, GBKR produces multiple events and concert series. To kick off their 40th Anniversary tour, the guys ran a 6-month artist residency at their own live music venue (located inside KY’s largest outlet mall - The Outlet Shoppes of the Bluegrass, Simpsonville, KY), Brewgrass Entertainment. Each show featured special guest acts, along with a performance from Gary Brewer & the Kentucky Ramblers. Before opening their own venue, GBKR hosted five seasons of their Winter concert series “Friday Night Bluegrass” (Shepherdsville, KY). GBKR currently hosts their bi-annual community music festival “Shin-dig in the Park” (Shepherdsville, KY). Gary and his boys are keeping Bluegrass music alive in the Bluegrass state.

With the global pandemic postponing most tour dates for GBKR’s 2020 40th Anniversary Celebration Tour, the guys will be heading back on the road to resume and complete the tour in 2021.