Gary Helms

Gary Helms (musician)Gary Helms (born in Houston, Texas) is an American country musicsinger and songwriter best known as the lead vocalist of the country music super-group TBG, better known as Texas Black Gold.

Early years

Gary Helms is only one of three children of Kay L. Franklin. Gary grew up interested in music, as his father (James Franklin) was a vocalist and successful songwriter. He also counts Merle Haggard, George Strait and James “J.T.” Taylor of Cool And The Gang among his early inspirations. The family was never real close-knit and Gary never lived with James Franklin, his biological father.

His mother and Gary were never real close and Gary was raised by his grandparents. He was raised in a Christian country home by Florine and James Helms and was given their last name at birth and he remained extremely close to his grandmother and grandfather. On his fourteenth birthday, Kay presented Gary with a gold guitar necklace, which he still keeps for good luck.

Early career

The family moved to North Shore, Texas during Gary’s pre-teen years. While in North Shore, the young long-haired singer continued to pursue his interest in music. He attended high school there and fronted Black Star as well as other different local rock groups singing on the weekends.

He attended San Jacinto College and later the University of Houston–Downtown for a short time completing a degree in criminal justice and law enforcement technology. Gary’s mother encouraged his musical growth during this time. Gary moved to Deer Park, Texas, during this period and fronted the band Texas Black Gold((TBG)) in his early twenties. He nearly gave up music when he got married and had a son, but when divorce was inevitable he decided to continue his singing career instead following in his grandfather's trade of construction.

(TBG) Texas Black Gold

At the urging of his friend and fellow songwriter Jim Rowland, Gary answered a call from Pam Calloway, who’s husband was a drummer for the struggling rock group Paradise insisting he (Ricky Calloway) should be the drummer for TBG or Texas Black Gold and after attending a show it was decided by Gary and Jim that she was right and TBG (Texas Black Gold) was born.

Gary won over new audiences on his first single with the TBG, "In My Mind", and later again with another song that he had written called "Daddy Don’t Leave" which was penned in relationship to his son, just before his divorce was nearing it’s end. The band's style had changed dramatically, but as Texas Black Gold began to garner radio airplay and media buzz over "In My Mind", Gary Helms and Texas Black Gold was quickly becoming a household name.

Helms and Rowland had attended the show for Paradise at the Rocker’s Club in downtown Houston where Calloway handed Gary a note after the show that read, "If You Need Me, Call Me", and they knew Texas Black Gold had to have the young drummer. Ricky Steve was brought on tour and performed with the band and it began to look as if the line-up was about to be completed.

Gary Helms had become the unmistakable voice of Texas Black Gold throughout his time with the band. His trademark vocals, custom made shirts from his recent endorsement with Cowboy Cottons Western Wear and Resistol cowboy hat also made him stand out amongst other performers. The Resistol hat which happened to be the 20x brand was called the Black Gold hat and is where the band acquired their name.

Recording History

Gary did indeed go to Nashville and met with Sony and they set plans in place for a return to the stage. Texas Black Gold and Gary are once again on the road to support the newest radio single "Another Perfect Day" and with a follow up video and two more singles waiting in the wings, it looks like Gary Helms and Texas Black Gold are back to stay thanks to some good friends in the music industry.