“Hoop” aka Gary Hoopengardner, SR.

To fans and friends he is known as “Hoop”. As a singer-songwriter born and raised in the ‘Heart of Rock n Roll’, Cleveland, Ohio, he now makes his home in Brooklyn, New York. “The songs I write span over several decades and are drawn from experiences and observations of restless innocence, mischief, social injustice, hardships, and love that people everywhere can identify,” says the long time admirer of Dylan. He focuses on original songs that are influenced by all genres of music and touches base with Jon Spencer, Joni Mitchell, John Prine, Mofro, Willie Dixon, and Willie Nelson.

Live Performance Review: “…Stark open mindedness and fearless genre shifts…” “Hoop”, who many say sounds a bit like Lou Reed, and Willie Nelson plays harmonica like the legendary Charley Musselwhite and is an untraditional folk artist that leans toward r&b and folk/rock, interlaced with country flavored vocals.” – Josh Yellon, UNKL, modernjazzbeats.


Hoop’s roots in Rock 'n Roll can be traced back to the British invasion. “Although I was a fan of Ricky Nelson and influenced by his music, I adapted to what the kids wanted to hear, and that of course was The Beatles.” So he started a band, called 'The Canterburys' and the band played Beatle songs, as well as Dave Clark Five, Herman’s Hermits, The Kingstons and Elvis Presley songs. With a later band, 'The Plus Factor,' Hoop had some success and caught a break with Marty Conn of United Artists Booking Agency as an opening act for Paul Revere and the Raiders, The Lovin’ Spoonful and Neil Diamond. The next transformation was when he joined ‘The Motions of Soul’ (later called 'Underdog'), which developed a large cult following in the Cleveland area before disbanding in 1972.

Hoopengardner then opened his own recording studio called Sound Stage Recording. In late 1974 he is contacted by Dick Whittington (Richard Grey) of Whisker Recording to take over the job of recording live the 'Smiling Dog Midnight Concert Series.' This gave Hoop and his best friend, J. Gregory Ashton, the opportunity to record such legendary artists as Kenny Burrell, McCoy Tyner, Stanley Turentine, Tom Rush, Papa John, Jan Hammer, The Sun Ra Arkestra , Atlantic Rhythm Section, Muddy Waters, and Dr. John to name a few.

In 1979, his music took a back seat to being a father influencing a succeeding generation of young Hoopengardners on their own creative paths. After a 17-year hiatus, Hoop wasted no time getting back into the groove of practicing, performing, and songwriting -- and soon had a weekly gig at the Lakewood Phoenix Café with his brother-in-law, Gregg Westlake.

Hoop formed a band ‘Not Necessarily the Blues’ (pictured at right) in January of 2006 and the CD, “Julie’s Place,” co-produced and engineered by John Walsh reignited his musical career. “The disc sounds more professional and cohesive than most projects of this nature.” writes Jeff Niesel of the Cleveland Free Times, August 23 – 29, 2006.

Again, Josh Yellon, UNKLmodernjazzbeats, Artist Reviews, April ’09 (Berlin, Germany) writes “The band 'Not Necessarily the Blues’ is an experience of renegade beats, sounds and stage performance shifting between solo act, to many artists on stage bringing new dimensions to each song. A use of improvisational beats and a blending of musical styles give Hoop and the band its defining character. It starts with the beat… and the beat is everything!”

Hoop’s composer side was fully emerging and his growing list of over 80 songs began attracting attention in the music world. Hoop, searching for an identity as an entertainer, created “Hoop the Last Folk Singer?”- Folk-Rock/Soul/Country/Blues & Alternative Music. After watching a performance of reggae performing artist, Carlos Jones at a summer festival in 2009, Hoop had an ‘Aha’ moment when he saw how easily Jones interacted with the audience of mostly young kids. In an immediate meeting of the minds, HooP contracted Jones to record his Earth day song that is actually a poem written by his daughter, Laura, when she was 11 years old in 1997, prior to Hoop’s writing career. (See photo below of Hoop's daughter, Laura; along with singer, Stella Connelly; and Hoop).



April 26th 2010 – Hoop's CD, “Hoop the Last Folk Singer” "Dylan's Shoes," premiered at 'Earth Day Everyday' -- the 40th anniversary of Earth Day at Grand Central Stage in the heart of NYC. The CD features “Earth Day Everyday” co-written by Hoop and daughter, Laura. Little 7-year-old Stella Connelly captures your heart as she sings along with Reggae recording artist Carlos Jones and band First Light on this hit Earth Day song. “Dylan’s Shoes” is available now on CD Baby.

So, …why ‘The Last Folk Singer?’, asks Andy Young, producer and founder of Big Apple Bites Back productions. What is known as the American folk music scene’s “second revival” of the late 20th century was brought on by artists like Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, - John and Cyndea Wendell of Songwriter Nation

“Julie’s Place,” is about “the place that everybody goes”, and has the same cadence as “Alice’s Restaurant.” The disc sounds more professional and cohesive than most projects of this nature". Jeff Niesel, Cleveland Free Times, August 23 – 29, 2006.
- Cleveland Free Times/Scene Magazine

“Stark open mindedness and fearless genre shifts that characterize this performer may unsettle the average listener because the music isn’t easy to classify. The band Not Necessarily the Blues’ renegade beats, sounds and stage performance shift between a solo act, to many artists bringing new dimensions to each song. A use of improvisational beats and a blending of musical styles gives Hoop and the band its defining character. It starts with the beat… and the beat is everything!”
- Josh Yellon, UNKLmodernjazzbeats Artist Reviews, April ’09 (Berlin Germany)

by Tim Askin

“Gary Hoopengardner will be acting as our Ambassador to Germany when he undertakes a two-week stint of concerts in Berlin later this month. Hoop has done Lakewood proud once again and we look forward to a new crop of songs inspired by this tour appearing in 2008!”

- Lakewood Observer