Stockdale scores again

Sometimes impressions last a lifetime and what former Glendale

resident Gary Stockdale remembers vividly from his youth is the

soulful sound of his mother’s sultry voice echoing throughout their

home.

“My mom used to sing in jazz clubs in town and was doing really

well, but when she got married, she wanted a family and gave it up,”

Stockdale said. “There was always music in the house.”

He remembers when he was given a toy piano as a small child.

“I started playing and just never stopped,” Stockdale said.

Although Barbara Gaus, a Burbank native, passed away in 1991, she

lived long enough to see her son gain the attention of the film and

television industry as a composer, arranger and musical director.

Stockdale said it was during his days at Los Angeles City College

where he was taking theater classes that his calling became apparent.

“When they found out I could play piano, I started music

directing, writing shows, writing songs and, from then on, I realized

that music was what I was going to do in my life, and I’ve never

looked back,” he said.

Right out of college, Stockdale began learning the craft of film

composition from Oscar-winning music composer Henry Mancini, later

coming under the wing of composer Lalo Schifrin. Together they worked

on films such as “Sudden Impact,” “Doctor Detroit,” and “F/X2.”

Since then, he’s gone on to compose music for many projects in

film, television and numerous commercials.

He’s also earned himself two Emmy nominations; one for the world

renowned magic team Penn & Teller’s “Sin City Spectacular” in 1999

for best original song and lyrics and the second in 2003 for best

main title theme for Showtime series “Penn & Teller: Bullsh*t!”, now

in its fourth season.

What keeps their relationship going strong after more than a

decade is the fact that Stockdale has a signature style, and his

music always reflects that, according to Penn Jillette.

“Working in television, you really need a composer who can work in

many styles especially when you’re working in comedy,” Jillette said.

“Stockdale can do anything.”

His latest score for “The Aristocrats,” a film featuring 100

world-renowned comedians including Robin Williams, George Carlin,

Whoopi Goldberg and Bill Maher to name only a few, is breaking box

office records for a documentary film, according to Director Paul

Provenza.

The film, made by Jillette and Provenza, is based on a joke that

has been around since the vaudeville era and is touted as the

dirtiest joke ever told. It starts out with the line “A guy walks

into an agent’s office and says have I got an act that will wow you.”

What goes on in between that and the punch line, the title of the

film, will, according to movie critics either completely offend you

because of its unspeakable obscenity or make you laugh so hard you’ll

cry.

“Gary is awesome, he’s amazing,” Provenza said. “The music in the

movie alludes to jazz, bebop and pop but has an improvisational feel

and he did an amazing job with just a few minutes.”

As if his busy career, marriage and raising two young daughters

isn’t enough to keep this talented guy tied up in the studio or home,

he also plays in a few bands around town. The Jenerators, which

includes celebrity artists Miguel Ferrer, who plays Dr. Garret Macy

on NBC’s “Crossing Jordan,” and Bill Mumy, who played Will on the

1960s series “Lost In Space,” can often be found performing at

Rusty’s Surf Ranch in Santa Monica.

Mumy, a longtime friend of Stockdale’s, said he’s one of the most

natural and talented musicians he knows and although they butt heads

sometimes because they both have a stubborn streak, he has the utmost

respect for him as a musician, composer and human being.

“He can pick up any instrument and play it well and he’s also an

amazing singer,” Mumy said.

What does Stockdale’s wife of 12 years think of her husband’s

crazy hours and musical accomplishments?

“Gary does what he loves to do, he will never do anything else,”

Danelle said.

“Some people spend a lifetime working at something that means very

little to them but his music is not just his job -- it’s his first

love.”

For more information on Gary Stockdale visit

www.stockdalesound.com.