At the time McGee was on tour and apparently suffered a heart attack on stage. After being hospitalized he went into a coma, and passed away four days later.
It had been two years since McGee had played in Japan with The Ventures. His participation in that tour was cut short due to his health issues.
During McGee's tenure with the band, he recorded three of their biggest hits in Japan, including “Ame No Midosuji”, “Kyoto No Koi” and “Kyoto Bojo.” The Ventures have a huge following in Japan.
Gerry McGee toured with The Ventures for three years. sometimes playing guitar, and sometimes playing bass. He rejoined the band in the 1984 until he was forced to step away two years ago due to health issues.
McGee recorded with a long list of artists that included Elvis Presley, The Everly Brothers, Eric Clapton, John Mayall, Kris Kristoferson, Delaney and Bonnie, Ricky Nelson, and The Monkees.
In the late 1980’s and throughout the 1990’s I worked the second shift. Upon leaving work at midnight and driving home I listened to a radio show called ‘The Truckin’ Bozo’ hosted by Dale Sommers. Between songs, truck drivers from all over the nation would call him, with news about the highways, and sometimes just to share their funny stories.
Bozo's show also played the Country Music hit songs of the day.
This show is where I was introduced to more contemporary Country acts. Garth Brooks was just coming on the scene in those days. His music hearkened back to those former days of Country Music. The lyrics were great, the music was great, and Garth's voice was pure Country.
’Friends In Low Places’ thumbed it’s nose at high society. ‘If Tomorrow Never Comes’, let us know to express I love you, to those you love, because we have no guarantee of tomorrow. ‘The Thunder Rolls’ was a modern take on the age old theme in Country music of a cheating spouse.
Brooks was a fresh face on the music scene, and his concerts were like a circus. He was energetic, and ran all over the stage, sometimes even flying over the audience.
Garth eschewed the traditional Martin guitar, instead using a Japanese model made by Takamine. Takamine had been in business for many years, and they had perfected a piezo pickup, so the acoustic guitar sound came through loud and clear, thanks to the instrument’s built-in preamplifier.
By this era, there was no need for a cable going to an amplifier since radio controlled units gave the performers more freedom.
Eventually the Takamine Company created a ‘Garth Brooks’ model. The sound hole on this guitar resembled the shape of the cutaway on the guitars body. Brooks gave one of these guitars that he had been playing, at each concert to a lucky fan.
Although other artists were using Takamine guitars before Garth Brooks hit the scene, Brooks is probably responsible for some of Takamine guitars popularity with Country artists.
George Strait was another popular Country star. Though his shows were far less outrageous than Brooks act, Strait brought traditional Country Music into the 1980’s and ‘90’s, and even into the current decade. His music eschews ‘Modern Country’ and his songs and recordings hearken back to days when Country Music was not Rock that was packaged up as Country Music. Perhaps that accounted for his outstanding record sales and many Grammy awards.
Alan Jackson came on the Country Music scene during the 1990’s. Jackson is one of the best selling artists of all time, and is beloved by Country Music fans for his anthem ‘Don’t Rock The Jukebox’.
He is another artist that endorses Taylor guitars, and he plays a custom built Taylor guitar that is based on their model 610e.
Jackson's guitar has AAA rated maple back and sides, and a Sitka spruce top. It has an inlay of a Blue Marlin on the 12th fret. It has a built in Fishman Matrix under bridge pickup with a Baggs pre-amplifier.
Vince Gill started his career playing guitar, and singing with the rock group Pure Prairie League. Their original lead singer, Craig Fuller, had left the band. That is Gill's voice you hear on 'Let Me Love You Tonight'.
His favorite Martin is a 1942 D-28 Herringbone. He owns several other Martins including a 1971 D-41, and two 1928 000-45's, and two 1936 000-28's. He owns a 1953 white Fender Telecaster, and several 1950's black pickguard Telecasters.
He also owns 8 vintage Fender Stratocasters, and a 1959 sunburst Les Paul.
There are several woman Country singers, but few play guitar. Emmylou Harris got her start playing guitar alongside Gram Parsons. She had her roots in Folk Music, but transitioned nicely into Country. Once she was discovered by producer Brian Ahern, she was encouraged to put together her 'Hot Band' for tours.
The talent in that band was incredible, and as members got other opportunities, they were replaced.
Emmylou Harris has recorded so many great albums, songs, and has recorded with a cornucopia of well known artists, that include Rodney Crowell, Dolly Parton, and Linda Ronstadt.
Harris was best known for using her black Gibson J-200. This guitar was modified by luthier Danny Ferrington, with and updated 'mustache bridge', and inlaid an image of a rose on the guitars top, which became her trademark.
While other Country artists depend on Fender, or Peavey amplifiers, Brad Paisley uses amplifiers made by Dr. Z (Mike Zaite).
Marty Stuart is another Country artists, and multi-instrumentalist that has not swayed from his Country roots. His band, 'The Fabulous Superlatives', reminds me of Buck Owens band, 'The Buckaroos'.
Marty is another guitar collector. His main electric guitar once belonged to Gene Parsons, and contains the original Parson/White string bender.
The 1954 Telecaster actually has two bodies, that are back to back, to maintain the inner workings of the bender. The headstock has two Keith banjo tuners on the E-strings.
Though there are some other Country artists and guitarists that still play Country Music, but they seldom get any air play on 'Country Music' radio stations.
Modern Country artists, such as Brooks and Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, and others in my opinion no longer fall into the Country Music mode of 'Three Chords, and the Truth'. While they are very talented, put on wonderful shows, and have a large fan base, their recordings are full of production tricks, such as digital auto-harmonization, pitch correction, over compression, and distorted guitars. I am not sure Hank done it that way.
