Biography

Gary Small Biography

Gary Small is an accomplished guitarist and vocalist, raised in the wilds of Montana and Wyoming. Small is a member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe whose reservation resides in remote Southeast Montana to the east of the Little Bighorn Battlefield. Small takes great pride in his heritage and talks of his roots proudly and with confidence.

For 15 years Small led the Portland Oregon based group The Gary Small Band, a roots rock group of outstanding musicians whose percussion section members include Graham Lear, former drummer of Santana, and former Joe Cocker percussionist, Bobby Torres. Small led this all-star group through myriad music styles of afro-cuban, reggae, roots rock, and blues. One music critic summed it up:

"...Small's guitar playing so reminiscent of Carlos Santana it's stunning. In fact it wouldn't be unfair to say Small could become the Santana of Native American music-translating his history through myriad musical forms in a way that speaks on several levels."

John Graham, Willamette Week, July 18th, 2001

Small won national acclaim as a solo artist with the release of his third cd release entitled "Wild Indians". Released in July of 2001, "Wild Indians" won the prestigious Nammy "Songwriter of the Year" award and was nominated for : "Best Male Performer", and "Best Blues/Jazz Recording" by the 2002 Native American Music Association.

Small was featured on the Oregon Public Broadcast Television show, Oregon Art Beat. He was also featured in Native Peoples Magazine. Small has appeared on the concert stage with other Native American performers such as, Rita Coolidge (Walela), Indigenous, Chrystal Gale, Native Roots, and Keith Secola. Small has previously garnered a nomination from the Native American Music Awards Show "Best Blues/Jazz Recording" for his 2000 blues release "Cheyenne Blue Revisited".

Gary Small &The Coyote' Bros.

"Crazy Woman Mountain"

"Blues From the Coyote' "

And the latest: "I Don't Play By the Rules"!!!!

With the success of the Gary Small Band also came tragedy and health issues. Small's father had fallen ill to throat cancer leaving Small to return home to Wyoming to take care of his father until his passing. Small had also developed a severe sleeping disorder.

"Taking care of dad really did me in, physically, spiritually and emotionally. But out of the dark always comes light. I found myself back in beautiful Sheridan Wyoming. I started playing some music with some old musician friends, who also happen to be the best musicians in this whole area. We rehearsed our backsides off, and named ourselves " The Coyote Bros." I'm very proud of the new stripped down vintage styled rock and rhythem and blues we have produced. I am also very thankful for the Coyote Bros who helped me make it back to the stage again."

Sheridan natives, Jim Willey (drums) and fellow Northern Cheyenne member, Jobe Jennings (bass) constitute the Coyote Bros.

Their first CD "Blues from the Coyote" (2005) a rocking rhythm and blues extravaganza, was awarded three Nammy nominations for Best Blues and Jazz Recording, Best Male Performer, and Songwriter of the Year. At the 2006 Nammy Awards show Small was selected to perform the guitar works of the late great rock & roll guitar legend, Link Wray. Small performed the medley with Wray's grandson, Chris Webb. Bruce Springstein, guitarist, Little Steven (who presented the Hall of Fame induction to Wray) commented with a smile "Man those guys just kicked those tunes right in the ass, great job."

Small's newest release "Crazy Woman Mountain" recently won the 2007 Nammy Awards "Best Rock Recording of the Year".

The Coyote's performed at the Awards show to a packed auditorium in Niagara Falls, NY just moments after winning the Award.

A sonic departure from the funky, bluesy style of Blues from the Coyote. This cd rocks in a vintage styled, at times surfy sounding, big guitar, wall of sound. If you need to pigeon hole the style, it's a cross between the classic sound of Brian Setzer and the more rambuncious rock grind of George Thoroughgood. Small's recordings keep gaining more and more recognition with each release.

Follow this guys career, and keep this guy on your radar screen, you'll be glad you did. John Begay, Columnist.