Gary Calamar – Bio
Gary Calamar, president of Go Music, is a five time Grammy-nominated producer and music supervisor who has overseen the music on some of the most acclaimed and popular shows on television including “True Blood”, “Six Feet Under”, “Dexter”, “Entourage”, “Weeds”, “House”, “Man In The High Castle” and “Titans”. Gary’s current projects include “3 Body Problem” (Netflix) and “Somebody Somewhere (HBO).
Gary is also a songwriter and co-wrote the song “Let’s Boot and Rally” performed by Iggy Pop and Bethany Cosentino (Best Coast) for True Blood which was named by Rolling Stone magazine as one of Iggy’s all-time best collaborations.
His debut EP as a recording artist, “You Are What You Listen To” was released on Atlantic Records to excellent reviews and airplay. Gary has several other releases (See Gary’s Music).
Gary Calamar’s Songs on Spotify
Gary is also the co-author of “Record Store Days”, and a DJ at 88.5 The SoCal Sound (KCSN).
a little background….
The first light young Mr. Calamar saw was on a television set. He was vaccinated with a phonograph needle.
Born in the shadows of Yankee Stadium in the Bronx NY, Gary first found his passions lit when his parents took him to see “West Side Story”. By the time “A Hard Days Night” and “Goldfinger” came out he was hooked on the electrifying combination of Movies, Television and Music. He traveled west in the early 80’s landing in Los Angeles. In need of a job that would ensure him a steady flow of promotional records and free concert tickets, Gary got a job at a record store. He was managing a Licorice Pizza Record store as 12 inch vinyl records turned into 5 inch digital discs and later moved on to Rhino Records and Moby Disc mixing with the customers and building up his music collection.
In the mid 90’s Gary started as a volunteer at National Public Radio’s influential powerhouse KCRW. After (literally) getting down on his knees and begging music director Chris Douridas for a radio show he was given a shot and proved to be a hit. Through the years Gary has hosted live performances and interviews with musical greats ranging from Brian Wilson and Elmer Bernstein to Wilco and The Flaming Lips. After 25 years at KCRW Gary moved to the left of the dial and is currently spinning his unique brand of “adventurous pop music both timely and timeless” at The SoCal Sound 88.5 The SoCal Sound on Sunday Nights from 4-6 PM and on demand at THE OPEN ROAD w Gary Calamar.
In 1998 Gary broke into the Music Supervision game and co-music supervised “Slums Of Beverly Hills” and then tackled the movie “Varsity Blues”, resulting in a #1 box office hit and a soundtrack album certified gold. He was off and running. At the turn of the century Gary, along with friend and fellow music supervisor Thomas Golubic´ oversaw the music for the HBO original series “Six Feet Under” and Gary has since music supervised many hit tv shows (True Blood, Dexter, Entourage, Weeds, House, Man In The High Castle, Somebody Somewhere and 3 Body Problem) as well as award winning documentaries and films.
He lives in Laurel Canyon with his lovely wife and their amazing daughter.
Awards
Grammy Nominations
Soundtrack Producer 2003, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011
Guild Of Music Supervisor Award
Best Music Supervision For Television 2010, 2011
Sunset Sessions 2013
Most Memorable Tv Use – Sia “Breathe Me” In Six Feet Under
Hollywood Music In Media Award
Best Music Supervision For Television 2008