No matter what, one thing is certain—there’s no better way to spend a sticky summer evening on Long Island than camped out at an exciting outdoor concert.
Dazzling a crowd at Memorial Park on Albert Street in New Hyde Park that just seemed to grow and grow as the evening went on, the talented foursome of Marty G and The G Men pumped out some of the most toe-tappin’ hits of the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s…plus a few original tunes for good measure, on Wednesday, July 9.
Band frontman Marty G said that he has a 25-year history with two of his band mates—guitarist Dan Albano and vocalist Eddie Williamson. The trio originally started to play together as The Chelsea
Band, but after a chance encounter at a party with their future keyboardist, Bud Gramer, the idea of Marty G and the G Men finally started to take hold.
“I met Bud in 2005…he and his wife were a duo playing music at a Christmas Party,” he said. “I sang a few ‘60s rock and roll songs with him, which he loves, and he said that he wanted to start playing regularly with me.”
Keyboardist and long-time New Hyde Park resident Bud Gramer has been a ‘G Man’ since the band was formed in 2007; however, his involvement in music goes much further back than that, he said.
“I’ve been making music for the past 40 years…on the side, my wife Linda and I are a duo and we specialize in German-American music, and we play a lot of gigs in the area,” he said. “But I really have an enjoyable time with Marty G and the G Men, We just love the oldies music.”
The G Men began playing fairs, parks, bars, and other events, as well as opening for more prominent acts on occasion, which really helped them to gain exposure. With their snazzy fashion style and unbridled passion for playing some of the greatest songs ever written–artists whose songs they enjoy including in their set lists include Elvis Presley and The Beatles– they soon attracted a regular following.
Eventually, Marty G and the G Men began to pen their own original tunes as well, including “There’s a Star,” an ode to the late singer, Johnny Maestro, that gets regular airplay on local radio station WHLI as well as SiriusXM satellite radio.
“We like to think of it as Do-Wop/early Rock and Roll…that sort of a sound,” Marty G said of the sound they were going for with “There’s a Star.” “We wrote it in 2010 shortly after Johnny passed away, and it’s out there now getting played almost every day on the radio.”
With their combination of timeless classics combined with original material that Marty G noted has been crafted with a more modern sound, the audience for the G Men’s show at Memorial Park was
comprised of an interesting cross-section of both young and old; with the energy produced with each and every note the band issued forth, the crowd grew and grew, clapping along in the hot summer air alive with power of classic rock and roll.
New Hyde Park resident Samantha Fitzsimmons had never heard of Marty G and the G Men before this evening; however, after hearing a few of their opening numbers, she is now a fan for life.
“Oh, they’re wonderful, just wonderful…such showmanship,” she said. “And the songs they sing are the ones that I love, songs that take me back to my youth. It’s a great show and I’m happy that I can be here to enjoy it with my family. There’s nothing like an outdoor concert in the summer, and this is a great one for sure.”
Concert attendee Tony Rasile of Holtsville, on the other hand, said that he made the big hike to check out the show because he’s been a big fan of the G Men ever since they first formed back in 2007.
“When I heard they were playing here tonight, my wife and I just jumped into my car and made the trip without thinking twice,” he said. “They’re great. Marty and Eddie really have some beautiful voices, Dan brings in some great harmony, and Bud is just terrific on keyboards. They’re the total package and they always put on a great show.”
To find out more about Marty G and the G Men, visit their website at martygandthegmen.com
