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Greg Poltrock, a musician. That's me.. always wanted to be. A piano playing minstrel. Yeah, I know what some people think about that career: Get a real job. Why are you late? Are you high? He’s got a woman, so he isn’t homeless. Can he play in a bar if he is still on parole? What an optimist...a musician with a mortgage. Keep away from my daughter.
But you know what? In this little corner of the world, known as West Michigan, USA, I’ve had the opportunity to have fun playing an instrument, make people dance, sing, cry, laugh and fight, and hang out with other really great musicians. And all this time, I got paid for it. I’ve been able to casually talk with Huey Lewis, Albert Collins, and David Foster about all things music and have been on the stage bill with Huey, Albert, Steppenwolf, Head East, Sugar Blue, The Kinsey Report, and even Henry Mancini!
But wait, there’s more. My band history includes pop, funk, rock, new wave, punk, blues, jazz, country, big band, gospel, prog rock, and a stint with the Grand Rapids Symphony in the percussion section. Lately I’ve joined the Dueling Piano club and take requests to play and sing hundreds of the greatest songs of the past 40 years, inciting crowds to sing along and throw money in my tip jar, joined by other piano bangers in a round robin of musical mayhem.
And I still get paid for it!
Billy Joel I am not, and I also make no claims to be an amazing musician. No, my forte is the fact that I love music and can appreciate the artistry in almost every genre. When it’s in the pocket, up tight, outa site and in the groove, I am there, baby. I can cop a feel and run with it. I guess I am in demand because, as I play, I enjoy listening to the other musicians, how the sound bounces off the walls, finding my space in the rhythm section, and just rockin’ the house. There is no feeling like it and every gig is different.
So, speaking for all musicians out there, I stand up and say, “Give me liberty and, while you’re at it, give me more monitor, free drinks and roadies!!â€
If it wasn’t for my music career I would have never met my fetching wife, Kim, the sister of the guitar player in my first rock and roll band.
You are the light of my life and understand me. I am a lucky man.
At GregPoltrock.com I have a blog called My Gigging Life. It’s more of a biography than a blog and its a work in progress. I've got to finish it someday.
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