OXFORD – On Saturday night, a musician who has been a fixture on the local music scene for more than 25 years will celebrate the release of his band’s first CD with an acoustic show at 6 On The Square in Oxford.
LJ Gates will take the stage from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. in the non-profit venue, playing a selection of original songs from their new self-titled album as well as other original pieces, all written by Oxford native Lyndon Gates.
Gates picked up his first guitar at the age of 11, and has been making music ever since. He made his debut on the local music scene in 1978, and for the next six years played guitar with a number of bands. In 1984, he decided he wanted to have more creative control and formed LJ Gates.
The group was small, just Gates on guitar plus a bass player and percussionist. Bookings, promotions and even lighting were handled by Gates’ wife Julie, who 25 years later, continues to manage the group.
In those early days, he and his fellow musicians played primarily rock and roll covers, with some original music mixed in. In 1989, they released a collection of that original work on a cassette titled Fantasy. But soon after, Gates said he tired of only playing rock and roll. As a group, they started exploring other musical genres.
“The music scene had changed dramatically,” he explained. Seeing an opportunity, they “jumped into the country scene” in the early 90s, performing as the Plowboys. They continued playing their usual rock and roll as well, sometimes appearing one night as LJ Gates and the next as the Plowboys. But they soon tired of that routine as well.
“The only thing I can say about country,” Gates said, “is it made me a lot of money in the 90s.” By the end of that decade, he had almost semi-retired from the music scene, and began writing in earnest.
“I dove head first into the original stuff,” he explained. The results of his effort include the eight tracks on the CD he is currently releasing, all of which he wrote, recorded, mixed and produced in his home studio. Some of the songs in the collection have been inspired by politics, others by family, friends and co-workers.
Gates said he finds it hard to define his music, because he has been influenced by so many genres of music over the years, beginning as far back as his adolescent years.
“I was 10 years old in 1969,” he said, listening to the albums his older brother was bringing home. “It had a massive impact on me.” He said he feels he’s also been influenced by blues, country and southern rock.
The music he writes, he said, is indicative of his own evolution, from the long-haired hippy he was in his 20s to the husband and father he is today.
The face of LJ Gates has changed over the last 25 years as well. The group is currently comprised of Gates on guitar and lead vocals, Jim Tyler on bass, and Bill Deering on drums.
Gates admits that performing acoustically is somewhat of a departure for the group, but explained they felt strongly about supporting the work of 6 On The Square and the community. Admission on Saturday night will be $5 per person plus a non-perishable food item for the Oxford Food Pantry. CDs and LJ Gates 25th Anniversary Tour T-shirts will be on sale during the event.
The band will also be appearing on Oct.17 at Seeber’s Tavern in Smithville Flats. Gates said it has been more than a decade since they last played at the establishment, at which they were once a fixture.
For more information about LJ Gates, visit the band’s website at www.ljgates.com.