Gary grew up in Memphis Tennessee as the son of Charles Talley and Nita Talley. Charles is a World War II Hero and purple heart recipient. Gary tells of seeing Elvis riding around town in his Cadillac, was influenced by the groundbreaking Memphis sound of Booker T and the MGs, Steve Cropper and Reggie Young. Gary picked up excellent guitar technique from an early age. In 1967, Gary became the original lead guitarist for the Grammy-nominated group, The Box Tops. Gary is the featured guitarist on “The Letter,” and “Cry Like a Baby.” These songs hit the charts like a tornado, selling millions of copies, and they continue to sweep across the country on radio stations today. This was a tremendous time in Gary’s young life and it took him all around the world on tour, on all the major television shows and eventually landed at Abbey Road Studios in England where he recorded in the same room as the group he competed for a Grammy over, the Beatles. After The Box Tops made their mark in music history, Gary continued his music carrier in stellar fashion performing and recording with such legends as Willie Nelson, Billy Preston, Tammy Wynette, Waylon Jennings, Suzy Bogguss, Sam Moore (Sam and Dave) and many more. Gary eventually moved to Atlanta where he played on national jingle sessions including McDonalds commercials and recorded master sessions for major label artists. He also continued to do side work with Pat Boone, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Dobie Gray, and Billy Joe Royal. A nationally renowned guitar instructor with an instructional DVD release, Gary has taught students his guitar technique around the country and overseas. Gary recently completed a musical tour of Australia and Fiji and has rejoined his original band The Box Tops at recent concerts in Memphis and Hoboken. You gotta check these songs out: www.amazon.com/TheBoxTops