The Call

One night, Gary and the Wisemen opened for Bowling For Soup at Rick’s Place in Denton.

After the show, Jaret placed Gary in what Gary remembers as something resembling a drunken headlock and delivered a prediction.

Whenever Lance quit Bowling For Soup, the band was going to steal Gary.

A few weeks later, Jaret called.

He did not immediately ask Gary to join the band.

Instead, he asked a slightly more ominous question:

“What are your plans for the next few years?”

At the time, Gary was attending the University of North Texas in Denton. He had followed the responsible path from Wichita Falls to college.

Then Bowling For Soup offered him a different one.

In 1998, Gary left the University of North Texas and became Bowling For Soup’s drummer, replacing original drummer Lance Morrill.

It was not a decision made without risk.

Bowling For Soup had momentum, but momentum did not guarantee money, stability or a future. Joining meant betting on a band that was still trying to turn regional success into something larger.

Gary took the chance.

Before long, the band’s story included relentless touring, major-label records, radio and television appearances, international success and songs such as “Girl All the Bad Guys Want,” “1985,” “Almost” and “High School Never Ends.”

Gary had gone from watching coolfork!! shows and asking Lance questions about drum gear to occupying the drum riser himself.

He has remained there ever since.