We recently had the chance to connect with Gary Seiler and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Gary, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity is everything. I didn’t understand this for many years. Even though my dad told me that my word is my bond, but I was young and foolish. I was pretty clueless running around never taking anything seriously. One day I woke up after having wasted too many years and I started the process of understanding that your word, your actions, and your kindness to people is possibly the only thing that will be remembered about you when you’re gone. Being the smartest person in the room or having the most energy might work for some moments and at times, but your integrity will never let you down.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
It’s a world of stress and bad news. People lock themselves daily into the news, social media, the internet and their electronic devices to a point where I believe they’re missing out on life, and the best things in this life aren’t usually found in these places. They’re found by going for a hike, walk on the beach, going fishing, going out to listen to live music or talking with friends There are countless ways to enjoy life beyond your iPhone or tablet that matter.
The world needs people like me. Musicians and entertainers. The only thing I can think of that has the possibility of bringing mankind together is music. It doesn’t matter if you’re a conservative, liberal, straight, gay, black or white or anything else. If you have a heartbeat and two ears music has the chance to break apart the differences and bring people together. It’s magical and it’s my job to make this magic happen.
My fans are, in many cases, Parrott Heads (Jimmy Buffett fans.) There are liberals and conservatives that are passionate about their politics. Yet when that music starts playing nobody remembers that and they all start singing and dancing and celebrating being alive. Music unites.
You may not agree with the political ideologies of a rock star or musical celebrity, but if you like their music what do you do? You buy their songs, sing along on the radio and go to their concerts. Music is the one gift to all the people of this earth and there’s nothing else can take the place of that.
It’s been my job since I started doing this back in 1983. I play music and offer an escape to people no matter who they are. I never know what people are dealing with but if they are in my audience I’m grateful and it’s my job to do what I can to lift their spirits, make them happy, and help them enjoy life for the brief time we’re together. I’m truly blessed for what I do and that people have shown me so much love through all the years. I’m not sure how long I can keep this up. I’ve retired four times over the past 28 years. Each of those times I’ve made a come back. But it’s not mine to know at this point how long I can keep it up. I just keep on trucking and when my music stops it stops. Until then I’ll do my part to bring people together.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
This is a big question. In 1979 I went to a Jimmy Buffett concert at Humphries by the Bay. I only had one of his albums at the time: Changes in Latitudes. I watched him work the crowd that night and I listened to every word. I left that show with a new sense of direction. I can’t explain. He was a master craftsman. The power he had on his audience was so infectious that it changed my life forever. I dug deep into his music library and went to as many of his concerts over the next 25 years as I could. You talk about power!!! His music and his presentation found its way to my soul, not to mention the souls of millions of other people.
I learned by paying attention and I’ve tried with all my might, not to be Jimmy Buffett but to respect the audience the same way he did. Even at my level in the music biz it has been a powerful feeling, filled with responsibility.
I’ve written a number of songs and released four original CDs. Some of the songs are similar to Jimmy Buffett and some aren’t. But I’ve had a lot of success from those records.
I have a story to share. Back in 1997 my band, The Buffed Out Band played at a camp for kids with cancer: Camp Reach for the Sky. There was this kid that couldn’t participate in the conga line because he was too sick from chemo and radiation. He was sitting by himself with all his hair gone and he was really skinny. I walked over to him and asked if he was ok. He told me he was so tired and sick. He touched my heart forever. I’ll never forget him. I told him you need to fight with everything you have. You can beat this kid. I know you can. I rubbed his head and returned to the stage. On the way home that night I was sobbing. This little kid broke my heart and I just couldn’t understand why kids have to suffer.
So fast forward. The following year they hired us to do Camp Reach for the Sky again. During my break this chubby little guy walks up to me with a bushy little crew cut head of hair and asked me if I remembered him? I told him I would never forget him. This kid had an enormous effect on me since that day. He was healthy. He survived and we hugged each other with an eternal amount of love and energy. I was so grateful that he made it. I was dreading going to this show because I felt he might not be there and may not have made it. One of the best days I’ll ever have.
Does this make me powerful? I don’t know but I was able to give this kid some love and some words and for some reason God spared him. I felt a power in this that I’ve never felt since. So maybe there’s something to this entertainment that is bigger than just a song or two. Just maybe??? But I don’t look at it as powerful. Just important and cool.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Three times I walked away and for different reasons each time. Health issue, surgeries, exhaustion. My life wasn’t as meaningful in those down times so I returned to entertaining. Each time I started things up in a more productive way. The world needs people that are willing to try to bring peace and harmony even to the little places. You see at this level in the biz life will always be a struggle to get ahead. I’m good with that now. And I’m so lucky to be who I am.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Life will humble you and if you don’t make changes to better yourself along the way then there just might be no helping that person. I’m not the same guy I was 20, 30, or 40 years ago. I don’t let outside influences affect me anymore. I’m the same person on stage that I am in my personal life these days. The things that matter most are my family, my faith, and my friends. I no longer watch or read the news. I no longer get angry with things like I used to. I’m sad that the truth has become unimportant to society.
This earthly life is a one time shot. I don’t want to waste my time planting a flag on a political hill to the point where I’m fighting with anyone. That job is meant for someone else.
So is the public version the real me? If you get to know me and listen to me then yes.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
That I truly cared about others. I wanted everyone to have fun when I was entertaining them. That kids mattered the most. That I valued family and friends. That when I loved I loved with my all heart. That God and my family were most important in my life.
Peace to you all. Thanks for reading.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.garyseiler.com
- Facebook: Gary Seiler
- Youtube: Gary Seiler
- Other: I haven’t spent a lot of time marketing on these platforms. I’m getting better at it though. Slowly…
