Artist description With over 30 years of performance and recordings in North America and Europe, this veteran singer/songwriter presnts a unique blend of rock, folk and blues.

Music Style Mainstream rock, folk-rock and blues

Musical Influences The Beatles, King Crimson, Genesis, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eric Clapton, Shawn Phillips, Neil Young, Robert Fripp

Similar Artists picture what would happen if Peter Green met Mike Oldfield during a Neil Young concert...!

Artist History Tim Gainer is truly no stranger to the entertainment industry. His career in music and radio has earned him numerous awards and various praises from his peers and fans alike. Born and raised in Chicago, Tim first learned the piano at age 8 and after the boredom with the instrument set in, taught himself how to play guitar by age 12. He joined his first band, Spectrum when he was just 14. When the group disbanded, he answered an ad for a lead vocalist in the local paper, which led to the formation of Tales and 2 tours of the college circuit in the Chicagoland area in 1973 and 1974. But after two failed attempts at an album and the usual personnel hassles, he along with bassist Mike Fillapek joined Alpha - a band formed by local favorite Richard Trusk and former Canyon drummer Mike Makowiak. Their first show at a roller rink in Countryside had an estimated crowd of close to 2,000. Various local concerts followed until 1978. Brother Pat Gainer had just joined the band when Tim made a decision in December of that year; He had joined the Army and was leaving the band. But the music wouldn’t leave him… Being stationed in Germany after basic training, Tim met with L.A. bassist Myron Singleton in the base Recreation Center. This led to the creation of Natural Cause, a band that would subsequently tour Germany and presented their talents during a special on German radio. It was during this time that Gainer also met Bullfrog guitarist Sebastian Leitner and vocalist Gerd Hoch. They became quick friends and in 1980, asked Tim to join the band on their next tour. The result was sold-out shows in Germany and Austria and the recording of the Bullfrog 4 album. After his discharge from the Army in 1981, Tim returned to Chicago along with Leitner and Hoch to form Raatz with brother Pat. They toured the Midwest clubs and halls in 1982 until they received a call from Mitch Ryder bassist Nathanial Peterson inviting him to help out on several concert dates in Canada. He along with Leitner and Hoch joined Peterson for the tour under the name Brat-Axis, headlining or sharing the bill for acts like Ronnie Hawkins; But a series of bad business deals ended the band in 1983. Returning again to Chicago, Tim ventured into unknown territory by going into his second passion - radio. From 1986 to 1996 he worked on the air for stations in Illinois and Indiana. In that time, he was awarded 6 times from the Indiana Broadcasters Association for his production work, along with awards from Radio and Production magazine and the Country Radio Association. In 1990 he was listed in the prestigious “Who’s Who In Entertainment.” Then in the summer of 1997, Tim and brother Pat decided to join forces to “create our music…our way” with the formation of Half Gainer. By reuniting with Raatz bassist Pat Gutkoska and the joining of local guitar wizards Tim Bucher and Tom Whittaker, the band embarked on a local tour that drew rave reviews of their blend of rock, blues and folk. The band also wrote and recorded tracks for a much-anticipated album. But the band was dissolved in 1999 after what Tim simply dismisses as ‘the usual personal and professional differences’ and the material was shelved, it would appear, indefinitely. Today, Tim remains active in both voice and music work. 2003 will see the release his first solo album, In My Travels… as well as touring and working in various voice-over projects.

Instruments INSTRUMENTATION: C.F. Suzuki 6-string acoustic guitar, Squier Stratocaster, Epiphone LPII, Casio CTK-201. MICS: Shure SM-58 EFFECTS: Zoom 505 Mark II pedal, Danelectro Dan-Echo. All instruments, mics and effects were fed into a Tascam Porta II which was used as a preamp to go directly into the soundcard of a PC driving the Magix Audio Studio Generation 6 program.

Albums In My Travels..., The Longest Day

Press Reviews "It was well worth the wait!" - Peggy Gladden, GM, INCA International Radio "(Gainer) counts on the traditional Chicago folk-rock feeling with a powerful touch." - Marco Jacoby, German rock journalist "Love On The Line" is a really great tune!...it made want to pick up my guitar and play!" - Mark Rende, noted Tokyo Warr guitarist "(a style similar to)Counting Corws and Staind combined." - Terrance O'Brien, Gods Of Music

Additional Info 2003

Location Terra, Firma - USA

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