Gary B.B. Coleman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gary B.B. Coleman
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Gary Don Coleman |
| Born | January 1, 1947 Paris, Texas |
| Died | February 14, 1994 (aged 47) Shreveport, Louisiana |
| Genres | Soul blues |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, producer |
| Instruments | Guitar, vocals |
| Years active | Late 1970s–1994 |
| Labels | Ichiban |
Gary B.B. Coleman (born January 1, 1947 – died February 21, 1994) was an American musician. He was a talented soul blues guitarist, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He was known for his unique style and for helping other artists.
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About Gary B.B. Coleman
Gary B.B. Coleman started as a local musician. He also became a music promoter, which means he helped other musicians get shows. He was also a session musician, playing instruments on other artists' recordings.
In 1986, Gary released his first album. Later, a record company called Ichiban Records re-released it. He made several more albums and helped produce many blues records for Ichiban. He often played many instruments himself in the studio. Gary was inspired by famous blues musicians like B.B. King and Freddie King. His nickname "B.B." was a nod to B.B. King.
Early Life and Music Career
Gary Coleman was born in Paris, Texas. He started playing music at a young age. By the time he was 15, he was already working with the legendary blues guitarist Freddie King. Later, he even opened concerts for another famous musician, Lightnin' Hopkins.
Gary then formed his own music group. At the same time, he also worked as a promoter. He booked musical acts into nightclubs across Texas, Oklahoma, and Colorado. He kept up this busy double life for almost 20 years.
In 1985, Gary decided to start his own music company. He called it Mr. B's Records. This was an independent record label, meaning it was not part of a big company. He released a single song called "One Eyed Woman" through his label. The next year, he released his first full album, Nothin' but the Blues. This album became very popular.
Because of his success, Ichiban Records offered Gary a recording contract. This was an agreement for him to make music for their label. Ichiban then re-released his popular album, Nothin' but the Blues, in 1987.
Becoming a Producer and Songwriter
After his first album with Ichiban, Gary released If You Can Beat Me Rockin' in 1988. That same year, his role at Ichiban Records grew even bigger. He started producing records for other artists. This meant he helped them create their music in the studio. He also wrote songs for others and worked as an A&R scout. An A&R scout finds new musical talent for the record company.
Gary released six more albums of his own music until 1992. He also produced albums for many other blues musicians. These included Blues Boy Willie, Chick Willis, Little Johnny Taylor, and Buster Benton. He wrote many songs for himself and for other artists. For example, he wrote the song "If You Can Beat Me Rockin' (You Can Have My Chair)" for his own album.
Gary B.B. Coleman continued to be successful in his many roles. He was a talented musician, songwriter, and producer. He passed away in 1994.
His Music Albums
Here are some of the albums Gary B.B. Coleman released:
- Nothin' but the Blues (1987), Ichiban (This album reached number 74 on the Billboard R&B chart)
- If You Can Beat Me Rockin'... (1988), Ichiban
- One Night ... (1989), Ichiban
- Dancin' My Blues Away (1990), Ichiban
- Romance Without Finance Is a Nuisance (1991), Ichiban
- The Best of Gary B.B. Coleman (1991), Ichiban
- Too Much Weekend (1992), Ichiban
See Also
- List of soul-blues musicians
