Randy Overly

Here's my story...

Where it all began...

It seems like I’ve been playing guitar my whole life. I was just 7 years old when I saw my first ‘live’ band. My family attended a wedding reception, and I can still see the guitar player in the band – he had a cherry-red electric guitar. The sounds that came off that stage mesmerized me. Watching him, I knew what I wanted to do – play the guitar!

So, I told my mom, and she took me to the music store to sign me up for lessons. The store manager looked me over and said, “Ok, kid – let me see your hands.”

I held them out and he looked at my outstretched hands. I’ll never forget what he said – “How about the accordion?” The accordion?!?! But I wanted to play guitar! “No,” he said, “your hands are too small for the guitar.” So, not wanting to play the un-cool accordion, I waited two years before taking lessons.

“Now appearing…”

I’m nine years old and my first guitar teacher was Daryl. I remember him being tall with perfect hair. He wore turtleneck sweaters and smelled great. Daryl was definitely “cool.” He gave me a Mel Bay book and I started learning to read music. Then, after a while I learned some basic chords.

I practiced every day. I loved the challenge of getting ready for my next lesson. Soon, I was able to play the chords and melodies in my “Meet the Beatles” songbook – much to my Mom’s chagrin. She was a big country music lover and wanted me to play Hank Williams, Ferlin Husky, Johnny Cash and other old-timers. Not me. I wanted nothing to do with it. I wanted to play rock ‘n roll and meet girls.

My first time playing in front of an audience was for my schools sixth-grade “Michigan Week” event. I got together with a couple of friends, and we played instrumental versions of “Mrs. Brown You’ve Got A Lovely Daughter,” “Snoopy vs The Red Baron,” and “Born Free.” This was a big step for me because I was painfully shy as a kid.

Here’s a picture of me (far left), Paul Marosi (center), and Matt Walker on drums. We were rock stars! Notice my red electric guitar. My dream is realized.

Getting paid to do what I love!

I was 15 when I was offered a job in a small music store – LaPrima Music – the same store I started my lessons in. I was paid $1/hour plus commission. (Little did they know, I would have worked there for free!) I scheduled lessons for the teachers, sold musical accessories, and balanced the cash receipts each night.

After a while, I started giving lessons and a year later I took a full-time teaching job at another music store. I met another musician, Bob Foisy who was a drum teacher in same studio. He was in a working weekend band and they were looking for a guitar player who could read music. I auditioned for the band and I got the gig. I was now a “professional musician.”

Here we are in our prime. Leisure suits and all. The band “Destiny” – Dale Bowers, Bob Foisy, me, and Greg Tell (in front.)

College days…

I took music classes in high school. I got decent grades in all my classes, so I asked if I could take more advanced music classes at a local community college during my senior year of high school. They said I could, so I started college as a music major.

I needed an elective, so on a whim I took a beginner computer programming class. I loved it. It came easy to me and enjoyed the “problem solving” aspect of writing computer code. I graduated from the community college and transferred to Eastern Michigan University to pursue my bachelor’s degree in business.

While taking my classes I got a part-time job working at a local bank doing computer programming. I played in a high-profile weekend band doing weddings and corporate parties. I was making enough money to pay for school and live in an apartment with my friends Dale & Bob from my first band.

Music was never on my radar as a career. It was my hobby. A way to earn some extra money, eat great food at the gigs, and meet girls. My career path was to do “something” in the computer field. Little did I know how music would help me achieve my career goals.

My 15 minutes of ‘fame’…

After graduating from college, I did what many do that just got their degree – I took a much-needed break. I joined a new top-40 dance band and played in a few local bars. Then “fate” smiled on me.

Our agent called us and told us our next gig was canceled. I really needed money for rent, so we went to our agents office to complain – and to see if there were any other jobs available on short notice.

While we were there his phone range. It was another agent on the other end of the phone. He needed a band – quick. Our agent put his hand over the phone and asked if we knew “oldies”. We didn’t really… but we needed the work. So, we said, “Yes, we know oldies.” Our agent told us Dick Clark was doing a traveling Rock ‘n Roll Revival Show in Chicago and needed a band – could we do it? Absolutely.

We went out and bought the albums of Bo Diddley, Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon and the Shirelles and headed for Chicago in the band van. We shared a dressing room with Dick Clark and played behind “the stars” in front of 3,000 screaming oldies fans. It was kind of surreal. Here’s me and forever young Dick Clark. Super nice guy.

Real life…

All good things come to an end. The Chicago gig was over and the band was back home and out of work. So, I decided to get use my degree and get a job.

I took a computer programming job and a few years later I started my own software company. Little did I realize my time spent playing music in front of people would enable me to overcome my shyness and give me confidence to work in sales, do consulting, and do public speaking at corporate events and for marketing initiatives. In the meantime, I still played music. I played in bars on weekends. I played in an up-and-coming country band.

I came to faith after I got married and had a child. Soon after, I left my bar band days behind and turned to using my musical gifts in church. Over the years, I played on worship teams and led worship in a few local churches. I ran my business for 32 years until I sold it and retired.

Today: Singer/Songwriter

Today, I still enjoy my first love – music. And, as fate would have it, I gravitate towards the country and Americana genres. I think my mom who passed away in 2009 would have liked that.

I play guitar in my local church, and I have a small recording studio in my home. I love the process of songwriting. Taking a musical idea and coming up with a storyline, the lyrics and the ‘hook.’ Then, doing the arrangement and having a finished song recorded.

I’m not an especially talented singer or guitar player. But, I have stories to tell and music is my vehicle. I thank God every day for His gift and the ability to do what I enjoy. I hope you enjoy some of my work.

Thanks again for visiting my site. God bless!

But wait! My debut album...

I wrote my first song over thirty-five years ago. Then… nothing. It wasn’t ‘writers block’ or anything like that. My music took a backseat to my family, my business and my church.

After I sold my business and retired, I felt the urge to write again. Ideas started coming. So, I’d write a song here and there. Some songs were inspired. Some just were simply exercises trying to develop my songwriting/lyrics/production skills.

Over the next few years, I accumulated several songs. Songs I wanted to save for posterity – passing them along to my family and friends. I finally got up enough nerve to finish the recordings and “put ’em out there.”

For those of you who are ‘creatives’ you’ll understand me when I say that writing, performing, and recording your music is a little like running down the street naked. Pretty scary for all involved.

But here it is – my first album. Songs taken “out of the attic” of my mind and out there for the world to hear.

Learn more about "Out of the Attic!"

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