Mel Bay's Photo Barre Chord Book
Singer and guitarist Gene Kerr's first influences were Al Jolson, Bing Crosby, Elvis Presley and the Beatles. He got his first guitar at the age of 12 along with a Mel Bay chord book. He took lessons locally, learning to read music, then started playing clubs in the lat '60s at the tender age of 16.  In college, Gene took Psychology, English, and Art, like many people in the late 1960s. He also studied Landscape Design, hoping to be able to make a practical living. However, he played guitar gigs at night in a college town to earn spending money and living expenses. He enjoyed this lifestyle through the late 60's and the first half of the '70s. In 1975 Gene got a "legitimate" job with Charles Dumont and Son in New Jersey maintaining music store accounts throughout the northeast, which he still holds. He "hangs out" with music teachers and musicians every day. His band still plays occasional engagements, for benefits or special occasions, but the members are all "married with children." They've become quite choosy about what jobs they accept and how much time they devote to playing. They play primarily for their own entertainment, every two weeks for 4 to 6 hours, to stay in shape. The band has been together for 22 years. Gene says: "People say that I'm a 'musicologist,' whatever that's supposed to be. I'm a graduate of 'The School of Getting Yelled At' and have been in The University of 'Hey, How'd You Do That?' for years. One thing I like about music is that you can never know it all."