Phil Gates
Phil Gates (born April 21, 1962) is an American blues, soul, funk and rock guitarist with an international following. He began playing professionally as a teenager while in the United States Air Force at Camp New Amsterdam Air Base in Soesterberg, The Netherlands. Performing in the Non Commissioned Officer Club, and at private events while off duty.
Biography
At age 19, Gates was hired to join his first professional band “Dynamic Rhythm Explosion” to perform in a house band for a talent show. Phil Gates subsequently started his first band The Six Day Band. He recorded an album performing as session guitarist with Gary Lance soon after. Phil Gates is also a well qualified audio repair technician, and was hired to work with Ronald Sommer of the Dutch Band Golden Earring rewiring his mixing console. Phil’s ability in guitar improvisation and stage presence led him to compete for a position on the U.S. Air Force’s USAFE Showcase. Phil was selected as the Bassist and Technical Director for a four month European tour. After which Phil competed again for a spot with the Air Force’s biggest Entertainment show- “Tops In Blue”. Phil won a spot as the guitarist for an 8 month sixteen country World Tour that ended with a performance at the NFL Super Bowl Halftime Show. In 1986 after the Air Force, Phil began mixing live music at the Caravan of Dreams Performing Art Centre in Ft. Worth, Texas as a Front of House Audio Engineer mixing for such greats as Buddy Guy, Albert King, Bobby “Blue” Bland, Dizzie Gillespie, Wynton and Branford Marsalis, Eartha Kitt, and many others. In the 90’s Phil spent more time as an audio tech working pre-tour set up with artists from Stevie Wonder, to Tommy Lee, to Yanni. All while working as a session guitarist for Producer Preston Glass on records with artists like Philip Bailey, Maurice White and more. Phil Released his first solo record “Party Time” in the beginning of 2000. This was followed by ‘Secret Passage”, “This Side Of Me” , Should I?”, A soundtrack for the film “My Normal Life” “Addicted To The Blues” “In The Mean Time” and “Phil Gates Live at The Hermosa Saloon”. Phil has performed in over twenty countries throughout his career, and continues to tour and perform when possible.
Phil credits a diverse array of musicians as influences. Carlos Santana, Jimi Hendrix, Al Di Meola, Roy Buchannon, Rush, Mike Stern, and both Motown and Stax Artists.
Phil has also Produced “Urban Legacy” for Julia Jordan (daughter of guitar phenom Stanley Jordan), “The Blues According To Zaccariah” with Zac Harmon, “Too Much Car For The Road” for Toni Dodd, “Still Rockin’” with Drew Berlin for Charles Connor (original Drummer for Little Richard) and also with Drew Berlin, Co-Produced a cd for L.A. band “Them Howling Bones.”
Phil is signed as an artist with Spectra Music Group.
MusicAL equipment
Phil Gates uses Mesa Boogie and Fender amplifiers. When traveling abroad he uses a Fender Twin along with a Zendrive overdrive pedal by Hermida Audio and a Xotic AC+ overdrive pedal. Phil plays a Music Man Axis Super Sport guitar and uses Ernie Ball Strings. Phil can also be seen playing an early 80’s modified Yamaha SA-2500 or a more new, modified Fender Stratocaster Deluxe (Both of these guitars have the Evertune Bridge installed), and a modified American Stratocaster.
Personal life
Phil spent a total of thirteen years in the Aerospace Industry before leaving it to immerse himself fully into the Music Industry. Often working in both industries. Owned and operated DCT Productions since 1988. Phil teaches seminars on digital audio recording, and has authored a book “FAQ: Recording The Guitar” with Mel Bay Publishing.
Phil is also the Director of Music for the James Marshall Hendrix Foundation working with the CEO Joe Rosignolo on the "Music For Life" program, and on building an online education platform for the foundation.
Discography
Solo albums
- Party Time (2000)
- Secret Garden (2000)
- This Side Of Me (2005)
- Should I? (2008)
- Addicted to The Blues (2010)
- In The Mean Time (2011)
- Phil Gates Live at The Hermosa Saloon (2013)
Film Score
- Music For the Film My Normal Life (2006)
Loop CD
- M-Audio Pop/Rock Guitar Toolbox (2006)
Published Book Author
- FAQ: Recording the Guitar: Mel Bay (2010)
Album Contributions
- Life and Love: Philip Bailey (2002) Goin Down
- Blues According To Zacariah:Zac Harmon (2004) Who's Knockin
- Crystal Blue: Billy Shields (2006) Sheera's Funk
- The LA Style Project:LA Stylez (2006) Laid Back Aphrodisiac
- Soundtrack for City Teacher: Preston Glass (2006) Same Sun Shines On Everyone, Deeper You Go
- Street Corner Prophecy: Preston Glass (2006) But You Don't Hear Me Though
- No Prisoners:Kellie Blaise (2007) No Prisoners
- Songs 4 Soul Worship: Time Life (2009) Oh Happy Day (Teddy Pendergrass), Total Praise (Peabo Bryson/Regina Bell),
- Heaven Help Us All (Jody Watley), Glory To Glory To Glory (Deniece Williams), Grateful (Regina Bell)
- That Same Way: The Stylistics (2010) False Alarm, Sad Tomorrows
- Back To The Basics: Julia Kahn (2011) Goin' Back to Indiana
- Never Comin' Back:Lee Roundtree (2011) Never Comin’ Back, Diggin A Hole, Savior, Salvation, Needle In My Groove
Producer
- Julia Jordan: Urban Legacy (2007)
- Toni Dodd: Too Much Car For The Road (2012)
- Blues According To Zacariah/Co-Producer (2004)
- Still Rockin’: Charles Connor and the Upsetters (2014)
- Them Howling Bones (2014)
Engineer/Technical Consultant
- Timebomb:Buckcherry (2001) engineer/tech
- It's Like That: Nick Smith (2004) engineer/tech
- The Big Dance: Cripple Need Cane (2005) engineer/tech
- Somebody Else: Sharon McMahan (2007)