Cary Fly hopes for lift-off in 2005
Cary Fly and Widly White have been playing music together for the more than 30 years.
After touring 38 states and six countries, and writing nearly 5,000 songs, Fly is ready to push once more to make the big time.
“I don’t want to be a defeatist, but this is my last best effort. At least, it’s another one. I’m gathering all my energy, and calling all my friends and calling in favors,” Fly said.
The leader of the Cary Fly Band is hard at work on a new album he hopes will land him the major label deal he’s been aiming at for so long. The new studio set contains original music by Fly, some new, and some he’s been sitting on for years.
Fly stepped back from his music pursuits after getting married and starting a family, but he never stopped writing music. He said he’s got upwards of 5,000 songs yet to be released.
No longer content with his music going unheard, Fly has been drawing crowds with regular gigs around town. The Cary Fly Band brings it’s rockin’ R&B on Sundays to The Satellite Diner, 425 W. Sprague, and on Wednesdays to Rock Inn, 8122 E. Sprague.
Fly’s signature carrot-top head and deep, soulful voice have become well-known in Spokane over the years. Along with playing Expo ‘74, opening and closing Thudpuckers, and playing regular gigs at various hotels and bars locally, Fly has toured with acts such as Waylon Jennings, Journey and Tower of Power. He was in two bands that released records on labels Epic and Atlantic, though they didn’t make any hits.
And yet he insists his latest work will be his best. With crowd favorites such as “Rockabye,” his most recognizable song, written in 1986, and “Doggowner,” he might just be right.
While the current lineup of the Cary Fly Band – including Fly on guitar and vocals; White on bass; Michael Hayes alternating with Steve Nelson on drums; Jim “Mad Daddy” Gilliard on keys; Anita Royce on guitar; and Constance Eller on violin – is a tight unit, Fly also regularly invites some of his old music cohorts to join him at gigs.
“I want to put this town on the musical map,” said Fly, who was a finalist on KHQ’s live karaoke contest “Gimme The Mike.”
His new album is due for a June release.