Gary Allegretto
Gary Allegretto is the current International Western Music Association (IWMA) Performer of the Year. Western Horseman Magazine raves; “Gary's music transcends genres, generations and cultural barriers, yet is so professional, engaging and core to the cowboy that listeners can’t help but want to ride along a while longer and discover something new in a song.” Not only is Gary the best harmonica player you will likely ever hear, he is a remarkable singer, songwriter, guitarist and a masterful entertainer. His talents have also earned him Grammy nominations, an Academy of Western Artist (AWA) Will Rogers Award, an EQUUIS Award, and a Best of the West Award. His songs have reached the #1 spot on the Western Music radio charts. His music is featured in major motion picture soundtracks and he has provided interviews and performances for Western music films and television shows. Gary’s engaging and often laugh-out-loud songs tell stories drawn from his rich and diverse life experience in the West (including ranch hand, forest firefighter as a USFS Hotshot, and bouncer in a couple of rough honky-tonks).
As a bonus, Gary is also an award-winning educator who optionally offers his very popular “Learn to Play Cowboy Harmonica Instantly" workshops to the festivals, venues, and gatherings at which he performs. Also, Gary often provides his highly acclaimed harmonica programs as educational outreach in the schools and youth facilities of the communities in which he performs. In addition, Gary is also the director of Harmonikids, an award-winning nonprofit that brings the healing joy of playing music on harmonicas to special needs children worldwide (www.harmonikids.org).
TESTIMONIALS
"Pure entertainment, Gary is a gift to Western music, raising the bar high for quality and professionalism. Drawing on the deep roots of the blues and cowboy music, the traditional and original tunes shine with originality and impressive talent. Rich with varied musical artistry and inspired lyrics, humor, adventure, history, matters of the heart, and more.
~ Margo Metegrano, The Center for Western and Cowboy Poetry
“A riveting, musical adventure. 'Blues on the Trail' takes you at full gallop across the American landscape; on a ride you won't soon forget!"
~ DJ Peter Bruce, Under Western Skies, KAFF Radio, Flagstaff AZ
"Gary's music is important to the IWMA, because it's not standard fare. His unique and fresh approach to Western music brings new life to the genre, keeping it interesting to its fanbase.”
~ Marvin O’Dell, President, International Western Music Association (IWMA)
“Gary raises the bar of Cowboy/Western Music to a new level. With every listen your ears will celebrate the gifts Gary brings.”
~ DJ Barbara Richhart, Your Western Belle of CowTrails, KCEG Colorado Springs, CO, KSJD Community Radio Cortez, CO
“Gary's music transcends genres, generations and cultural barriers, yet is so professional, engaging and core to the cowboy that listeners can’t help but want to ride along a while longer and discover something new in a song.”
~ Jennifer Denison, Western Horseman Magazine
VIDEO
2020 Equus Award winning Music Video “WHEREVER I ROAM” (from Gary’s Allegretto’s upcoming feature episode on the “Cowboy & Western” TV series)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHlvdVKpawA&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR38qdvAsSD0wKb0ROsp-YakdGZN-FZloX9JsLeZ_VJs2obaJHaWQbETaHM
FIRST RODEO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cw6mYOrtFGM
BLUES ON THE TRAIL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZk0tqusAKk