Gary grew up in a family in which his father was a well-known band leader and his mother was literally the singer in the band. But, the chaotic lifestyle and his mother’s alcoholism were a constant source of conflict between his parents. High school at a military academy provided some respite from the discord at home, but alcohol still found its way into Gary’s life. By the time he was in college, Gary’s attraction to drinking was matched only by the business acumen he’d acquired from his father. Managing his own successful pop band while booking others, success in his end of the music industry accelerated. But so did his alcohol use. Brief stints of sobriety were cobbled together by sheer will power, but he still couldn’t stop. By the time his ability to function under the influence began to wane, the realization that he was an alcoholic who needed help struck him hard. Fortunately, Gary’s interlude of clarity occurred when he ran into a friend he’d not seen in a long time who told Gary of his sobriety through AA. The seed planted, Gary procrastinated calling his friend, but eventually connected with him and went to his first meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Gary’s tale is one of complete commitment to AA and the constant recognition of its primary importance in his life. Events and circumstances which challenge even the most committed AAs have been taken in stride and Gary credits continuous practice of the Program basics for his ability to weather difficult times. The gifts of sobriety appear with regularity in Gary’s life and his ability to share that with others makes him a valued friend to many and an esteemed member of his AA community.

I think you’ll dig Gary’s easy-going manner and his revealing story of contented sobriety. So please enjoy the next 60 minutes of AA Recovery Interviews with my friend and AA brother Gary G.

Check out Howard’s Big Book Podcast, the complete unabridged audio version of the First and Second Editions of Alcoholics Anonymous. The Big Book Podcast is an engaging cover-to-cover, word-for-word reading of all 11 chapters and Personal Stories, many of which were left out of the Third and Fourth Editions. Follow us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Or listen on https://bigbookpodcast.com

If you’ve enjoyed my AA Recovery Interviews series and my Big Book podcast, have a listen to Lost Stories of the Big Book, 30 Original Stories Missing from the 3rd and 4th Editions of Alcoholics Anonymous. It’s an engaging audiobook I narrated to bring these stories to life for AA members who’ve never seen them. These timeless testamonials were originally cut to make room for newer stories in the 3rd and 4th Editions. But their vitally important messages of hope are as meaningful today as when they were first published. Many listeners will hear these stories for the first time. Lost Stories of the Big Book is available on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes. It’s also available as a Kindle book if you’d like to read along with the audio.

[Disclaimer: AA Recovery Interviews podcast strictly adheres to AA’s 12 Traditions and all General Service Office guidelines for safe-guarding anonymity on-line. I pay all podcast production costs and no one receives financial gain from the show. AA Recovery Interviews and my guests do not speak for or represent AA at-large. This podcast is simply my way of giving back to AA that which has been so freely given to me. -Howard L.]