Gary Cain

Austin, TX

$800-2500

Travels up to 120 miles

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Big-Legged Woman

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Catfish

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Letter To My Girlfriend

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Shiloh

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live at Canada Day in Kitchener

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Overview

"ridiculously talented, genre-bending...a jaw-dropper”
- Blues Matters Magazine (UK)

“a stunning tour de force of musicianship”
- Blues Blast Magazine

With one foot planted firmly in the Blues, and the other foot planted in seemingly everything else, Gary Cain is "one of the most exciting guitar -slingers on the blues scene today.” (Shane Macauley, 94.9 The Rock FM
in Toronto).

In 2016 Gary Cain was named the #4 Independent Blues Guitarist in the World by Six String Theory, the largest competition of its kind, and judged by such guitar greats as Joe Bonamassa, Ry Cooder, and Steve Vai. He was a semi-finalist at the 2018 International Blues Challenge.


Reviews

2 reviews

Small thumbnail image for reviewer J. G.

J. G.

May 15, 2024
Verified review

Great band!

We were looking for a good Texas blues sound for out of town attendees and Gary Cain band did not disappoint. Kind, easy to work with and fantastic musicians. Would highly recommend!

Hired as: Blues Band, Rock Band

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Gary Cain

thank you so much - we had a blast with y'all! :)


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Marie M.

Marie M.

September 10, 2013

Great Blues Band!

The Gary Cain Band has been a regular performer at the Open Streets UpTown Waterloo festivals. They are a wonderfully committed group of talented musicians and a pleasure to work with. They have an amazing sound and trigger a fabulous response from the audience. As an event organizer I would certainly recommend booking this group and always look forward to having them perform for us!

Hired as: Blues Band

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Booking information

Price range: $800-2500

Languages: English

Gig length: 60 - 180 minutes

What to expect

Guitar-driven blues, funk, rock and twang.

"ridiculously talented, genre-bending guitarist...a jaw-dropper.”
Blues Matters Magazine (UK)

“He’s a high-value player with an expansive and personal take on rock music that’s explosive both instrumentally and lyrically.”
- Rock & Blues Muse (USA)

“a stunning tour de force of musicianship”
- Blues Blast Magazine (UK)

"a fearless lyricist, a ripping guitarist, and a creator with his own ideas about how to play this game of ours, which means you need to be listening."
- Rock and Blues Muse (USA)

“Oh my God, can this guy play a guitar!”
- Professor Johnny P’s Juke Joint

“Killer original stuff that those in the market for a new guitar hero will take to heart. Hot stuff.”
- Midwest Records

“Gary Cain is one of the most exciting guitar ­slingers on the blues scene today.”
Shane Macauley, 94.9 The Rock FM (Toronto)

About

Gary Cain is a Canadian-born, Austin-bred, UK-based guitarist, singer, and songwriter with one foot planted firmly in the blues, and the other foot planted in seemingly everything else. He’s been called “ridiculously talented” and a “jaw-dropper” by Blues Matters Magazine.

The foundation of his virtuosic style was laid via marathon practice sessions as a youngster in his parents’ basement. “Back then it’s all I would do some days – sometimes 13, 14 hours a day. I’d have to be reminded to eat.” says Cain.

Long days poring over the musical styles of blues legends gave him a deep respect for the music, but he’s not beholden to it. “I’m not a purist.” he says, “What made those players so great was what they brought to the music to make it their own. Albert King was the best Albert King there’ll ever be. You gotta do your own thing with it.”

Cain’s music career eventually led him from the blues clubs in Canada, to a 6-nights a week gig in Dubai in the house band of the largest nightclub in the emirate at the time. Playing cover tunes paid well, but eventually saw Cain return to Canada burnt out. “I didn’t touch my guitar for 3 months after I got back, which I hadn’t done since I first picked it up as a kid. It had always been my favourite thing, and somehow I’d made it into a chore. Eventually I just thought back to what made me love it in the first place, playing strictly for the joy and expression of it, not to make money or fit other people’s expectations. Lots of people want you to fit into their box. In the end the most important thing is you stay true to yourself. I’m thankful to have learned that lesson early on and it’s something I’ll never forget.”

The shut-downs and tour cancellations of COVID saw Cain return to the woodshed for marathon days of practice and writing, culminating in his second album, “Next Stop”.

“a stunning tour de force of musicianship”
- Blues Blast Magazine (UK)

"a fearless lyricist, a ripping guitarist, and a creator with his own ideas about how to play this game of ours, which means you need to be listening."
- Rock and Blues Muse (USA)

In 2016 Gary placed 4th in the world in the blues category of Grammy Winner Lee Ritenour’s Six String Theory guitar competition, judged by such greats as Joe Bonamassa, Ry Cooder, and Joe Satriani. In 2018 he opened for George Thorogood and the Destroyers, and was a semi-finalist in the 2018 International Blues Challenge in Memphis. He has played at festivals and clubs across Canada, the USA and Europe.

Gary is an Official Artist for Fractal Audio Systems, and GHS Strings.

Additional booking notes

We're a three-piece, guitar, bass, drums, with one vocal mic.

Services offered

Past booked events

February 2024

29

Thursday

Corporate Event

8:00pm - 9:00pm

Austin, TX

Team

Gary Cain Guitar, vocals
Kostamis Yiacoumis drums
Matt Temple bass

Set list

Songs include:

Little Wing (Jimi Hendrix)
Scuttle Buttin (Stevie Ray Vaughan)
Crossroad Blues (Cream)
Manic Depression (Jimi Hendrix)
Crosscut Saw (Albert King)
While We Cry (Kenny Wayne Shepherd)
I Wish (Stevie Wonder)
Walk a Mile In My Shoes (Albert Collins)
Twang Strut (GCB original)
Shiloh (Chris Duarte)

Influences and inspiration

Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, Albert King, Danny Gatton, Philip Sayce, Jeff Healey, ZZ Top, Chris Duarte, the Allman Brothers

Setup requirements

power

tent/cover (outdoor gigs)

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