Photojournalist: Brian McLean

American rock and blues guitarist Gary Hoey brought his talents to the historic Granada Theater in Dallas for a Friday night filled with guitar-driven fun. Hoey is currently supporting his latest release, Avalanche, through Wazoo Music Group, his own label. The album marks his first studio release in six years.

The Avalanche Tour is not just another road trip, however. It carries a family atmosphere, as Ian Hoey shares the stage nightly alongside his father, Gary.

The tour has visited cities across Illinois, Michigan, Kentucky, Florida, Maryland, and Texas, including stops in Houston and Dallas.

North Texas-based singer, guitarist, and songwriter Jason Elmore of Jason Elmore & Hoodoo Witch opened the evening with a tasteful acoustic set.

Elmore even mentioned that he has been a fan of Hoey since childhood. He proudly shared that he had brought along his cassette copy of Hoey’s 1993 album Animal Instinct in hopes of getting it signed at some point during the evening.

The setting for the night was low-key, with reserved seating rather than the general-admission format often associated with heavier shows at the Granada Theater. The seating arrangement created a more intimate atmosphere and complemented the older, more mature audience. As soon as Hoey stepped onto the stage, the crowd expressed its appreciation. He greeted everyone, quickly checked the tuning on his blue Fender Stratocaster, and kicked off the night with a cover of the Alabama State Troopers’ “Going Down.”

It quickly became apparent that the evening would be smooth sailing with Hoey at the helm. Throughout the performance, he engaged the audience with stories, whether introducing songs or explaining the inspiration behind pieces such as “Dear Mama.” Hoey wrote the song for his mother while she was battling cancer. Unfortunately, she never had the opportunity to hear the finished piece, though Hoey remarked that he believes she is still listening.

With such an extensive catalog to draw from, Hoey assembled a diverse setlist. Just two songs into the performance, he launched into “Dust & Bones,” followed by “Deja Blue,” “Peace Pipe,” and “Maine to Mississippi,” which showcased some particularly impressive slide guitar work.

Hoey also included selections such as “Avalanche” and “Life Without You SRV,” with the latter spotlighting Ian Hoey’s ability to effortlessly handle the blues-based tribute to Dallas guitar legend Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Hoey’s playing extends well beyond rock and blues. He can shred across the fretboard, embrace surf-guitar techniques, and settle comfortably into melodic songwriting, demonstrating both technical ability and musical versatility.

Late in the set, Hoey treated the audience to several classics, including covers of the Vince Guaraldi Trio’s “Linus and Lucy” and War’s “Low Rider.” He also performed the national anthem before seamlessly sliding into a deeply grooving version of “Foxy Lady,” with the crowd enthusiastically singing along to the chorus.

A Gary Hoey show simply would not be complete without his version of Focus’ “Hocus Pocus,” and that is exactly what brought the evening to a close.

The setlist served as a perfect representation of Hoey as a guitarist while also providing several proud fatherhood moments with Ian by his side. With Father’s Day only two days away, witnessing that bond onstage added another layer of meaning to an already memorable performance.

Gary Hoey is the complete package as a seasoned guitarist. There are plenty of reasons he has shared stages with some of the biggest names in music. Beyond his considerable talent, he remains refreshingly down-to-earth and personable, a musician whose résumé is filled with accomplishments earned through decades of dedication to his craft.

Gary Hoey is the real deal both on and off the stage, which is why he is often regarded as a guitarist’s guitarist.

GARY HOEY

photos by Brian McLean

JASON ELMORE

photos by Brian McLean