A Star, Not Only Atop the Tree
Photo credit:
Jim Fondren
Written by: Pamm Tucker
Owner: Americana Media Gigspot
Like many others, I had never heard his name before, until one night, he accompanied Joel
Melton and Joe Baxter on the Blue Door’s stage. Instantly, I was mesmerized by the voice, the
truth in the words of each song, his snazzy colorful socks and the blue vintage suit that
reminded me of one that my Papa wore to church. I knew that my curiosity about this
gentleman had to be satisfied. And, quickly!
That night at the Blue Door, “A Tiger’s Tale” became one of my favorite originals from this
artist. With his straw hat perfectly sitting atop his head, and his attire from the 70’s, all eyes
were on him. He told us of his move from St. Louis to Oklahoma: “It was late on Friday night
after a twelve hour drive from St.Louis. I was pulling a 20 foot U-Haul, a 16 foot trailer and tired,
so I decided to unload the truck the next morning.”
When preparing to move here, he had heard rumors about the twisters that called Moore, OK,
a destruction zone. Already concerned about what to do when the sirens blew, he had a plan in
place. While unloading his wares into his new home, a siren blew. It didn’t take him long to hit
the closet and hide. This occurrence happened three weekends in a row before he found out
that not everyone was as concerned as himself. He said, “I don’t know how you all do this and
stay so calm.” A concerned neighbor, some might say nosey, inquired as to why he was so
uptight. “Seems like there's a tornado every weekend, but when the sirens blow, I never hear
the roar that they say you're gonna hear, but I always take shelter.” With a glimmer in her eyes,
she asked, “Is that siren at noon and every Saturday? Without hesitation, as his eyes widened,
(I am sure), he answered, “ yes.” It was at that moment that he discovered the weekly test of
the storm sirens. From that true laughing moment, he wrote a song about tornadoes, tigers
escaping zoos and the need for us all to have a shelter we can take refuge in from life's storms.
The song will have your humor bone chuckling and your heart grateful for your loved ones. At
my house, we now call Saturday’s at noon, ”Gordon time”.
Now that I have “iced” the cake and hopefully piqued your interest, I would like to tell you more
about my friend.
According to Wikipedia there have been many “Notable” people from this quaint community, of
less than 10,000. Those listed were:
● Terry Bruce (Illinois Senator, U.S. Congressman)
● Catcher for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Texas Rangers, Glenn Brummer
● Glenn Goodart, (Politician)
● Reginald Harmon (first US Air Force Advocate General)
● Phillies Shortstop, Dummy Murphy
● Ollie Pickerling (Outfielder)
● Stan Royer (Infielder)
● Elaine Shephard (actress)
However, this list is not complete, as they left out another GREAT notable individual,
● Gordon McKinney (singer/songwriter)
Growing up in small town Olney, there were lessons to be learned. Those lessons began with
working in the family bookstore from the age of 8 until 18. Standing behind the counter selling
books at an early age taught Gordon how to be a people person. With a background of music
running through his veins, he and his siblings took piano lessons. Growing up in the First
Baptist Church, his family would sing at the “Singspirations” at different churches. His dad
entertained the dream of an aspiring family Gospel group. It was at the age of 14 that He was
given his first guitar. Gordon refers to himself then as “different.” In such a small rural
town, McKinney found himself “riding the fence with friends,” as he got along with everyone.
However, he was the odd man out when it came to fashion sense and style. Gordon shared a
time when on his 11th birthday, his dad told him “You can wear whatever you want, we are
going to St. Louis for your birthday.” And Gordon did just that. Donning a bandana tied around
his calf, with one pant leg tucked in his high top, off he and his dad went on a Greyhound bus to
St. Claire Square Mall. His gift that day was not only a very special time of hanging out with his
father, but also, he was gifted with a crisp $100 bill. With a glint of splendor, Gordon described
the navy denim suit with red stitching and zip-off sleeves that he purchased. Music was not his
first passion, being a fashion designer was.
McKinney has graced many bands, including an AC/DC tribute band, a 90’s Grunge band,
“Crayola Gray,” Christian punk rock band, ”The Aloha Fridays,” pop duo,” Gerald Ford Died,”
indie groups “The Patsies”, “The Transmutors,” and an Americana outfit, “The Nobody Cures.”
With laughter and a head shake, McKinney said that while in his first band, “Heaven,” he wrote
a song titled “Angels Don’t Play no Rock and Roll.”
With experience in every genre possible, Gordon has taken flight into Indie Folk, and his wings
are widespread. Gordon has learned through life’s lessons, that sadness, heartbreak and
depression are things that touch people. That is exactly what his music does. It TOUCHES
everyone that hears it.
He recently released a 20 song acoustic album, “Life less Lived,” celebrating his writing
spanning 20 years. (https://gordonmckinney.wixsite.com/gordo)
On December 12, Gordon released his latest single, “ The Star Atop Our Christmas Tree,” on
iTunes, Amazon, and Spotify. He and his children also made a video for the single which
touches on the heartache of Christmas without his late father and the hope of the season he
sees in his own children's eyes. McKinney writes with his heart wide open and his feelings on
his sleeve. Gordon states: “My songs are just stories I tell myself that comfort and connect me
to the world outside my brain.”
