Gary Talley

Hit Songwriter, Guitar for Songwriters Teacher

In 1967, Gary Talley began his career as lead guitarist for the Grammy-nominated group, The Box Tops. Their "blue-eyed soul" hits like "The Letter," and "Cry Like a Baby" hit the charts like a tornado, selling millions of copies, and they continue to sweep across the country on radio stations today.

The Box Tops disbanded in 1970, but their reunion nearly 30 years later in 1997 was kicked off with a national tour at the House of Blues in Hollywood. Gary still tours and records with the group, contributing original songs and background vocals.

At the encouragement of friend and producer, Chips Moman (Elvis, Willie Nelson), Gary headed north to Nashville in 1981. Chips hadn't steered Gary wrong, because he soon found himself recording with Willie Nelson, Tammy Wynette, Waylon Jennings, Sam Moore (of the duo Sam and Dave), and others.

As a songwriter, he has penned cuts for Keith Whitley, The Box Tops, James Cotton, T.G. Shepard, Fish Heads & Rice and others. He has continued writing and teaching, while at the same time playing television appearances, live events or touring with artists like Billy Preston, Sam Moore, Pam Tillis, Brenda Lee, Tammy Wynette, Rufus Thomas, Tim McGraw, Sam "the Sham" Samudio, David Lee Murphy, Bobby Whitlock, Tracy Nelson, Dr. John, Mac Gayden, Bobby Bare, Ray Vega, Deirdre Reilly, the Hombres, Jason D. Williams, James Carr, Lloyd Price, and Little Eva among others.

It is Gary's wonderful and diverse background which inspired him to develop a unique, effective and streamlined approach to teaching guitar which is especially designed for songwriters. Internationally renown publications like Acoustic Guitar and American Songwriter have published cover stories, articles and lessons about his techniques.

He includes stars like Pam Tillis, and Sherri Austin, along with hit songwriters like Amanda Hunt-Taylor, Rory Bourke, Monty Powell among the many satisfied students on his roster. In fact Sherri Austin claims she could not have written some of the songs on her first album without Gary's lessons.