My name is Gary Olson, and the only way I can describe it is, almost 6 years ago, I was "called" to play the bass.

Of course, my family thought I was having a mid-life crisis.

However, my persistence has resulting in my becoming equipped as of Christmas (a little over 2.5 yrs ago), and I have been on the journey since that time.

Since my initial stab at creating this web page, I have had a few performing opportunities. After about a year under my belt, I participated in a church "talent show", which was marginally successful. However, it was a first step to playing in front of people, and they were Christians, so they clapped even when I messed up.

Since then, I have continued to learn how to play, and I have been invited on numerous occasions to play in the praise and worship band at church. They seem to like what I am doing, so I do continue to be invited back to fill in for the regular bass player.

I was gratified that once I did start performing in front of people, and playing with others, that I really did love it.

What has also helped me was being invited to play for a VBS at church, which was a 5 day in a row "gig". This really challenged my fingers like never before, you know, blisters, bleeding, playing with band-aids, and so forth.

Also, since a week before Easter, 2007, I found a great bass teacher (encouraging, bass player, challenges me technically and musically)and this has helped tremendously in the speed of my progression and goal of being a bass player.

For three years I had been contemplating what to do on a limited budget. I had my eye on Ibanez SR series basses. I wanted tonal variety, because I really didn't know what sound I wanted, and I didn't want to be locked in. As time went on, I went from wanting the jumpstart package, to the GSR200, to the SR300DX, finally settling on the SR400 in the light amber color.

As far as an amp was concerned, I kept in the practice amp arena, focusing on Hartke, for what i thought were it's toneshaping capabilities, and SWR, for its tonal quality. I favored the A35, rather than the SWR LA series, why, I don't exactly remember.

On Christmas (nearing 3 years ago), I was graced with an Ibanez SRX500 in the honey sunburst (which my wife preferred due to its color over the SR400 light amber, which she found to be boring)and a Hartke A35 bass amp. What she didn't know was, that she bought a very powerful active bass. She deals with that by insisting I practice with headphones, a directive I sometimes comply with.

Of course, to round it all out, I have a little toy tuner from Korg, as well as a metronome which I am starting to learn to like. I also had my wife buy me a Tascam Bass Trainer, which is a glorified CD player that eats batteries for lunch.

I love my guitar, and some very enjoyable sounds have been coming out of it, particularly when I some amperage behind it. I finally found some strings I like, which are the GHS Bass Boomers, with the E string being .115. I know that is quite thick, but I find that it works best for me, and the kind of bass I have.

I am a blessed man, and I love my God and my family.

Musical Influences

• Geddy Lee
• Tommy Shannon
• Jerry Jemmott

Favorite Recordings

• Anything Rush
• SRV - In Step
• Anything BB King