Glenn & The Gemtones formed in July, 1993 after John Young (keyboards, vocals) left Big Cam & The Lifters, and The Sentries dissolved. As a “throw-together band” John Young, Glenn Bullion (guitar ex-Sentries), and Gary Cejnowski (drums, vocals), along with Tony Cesanaro (bass -later with Appaloosa) played an afternoon benefit concert sponsored by Colleen Sharp of WQSR. The band was first called “Recall” and only had limited success. After a discussion about all the current bands noticing that bands were named Bobby & The Street Rods, Richie and the Roadrunners and so on, it was decided to name the band Glenn & The Gemtones because Glenn was the lead singer and guitarist. The band had two other bass players come and go – Bonnie Kirby (ex-Four’s Company) and Gene Lester, and then finally Skip Harrison.
The band concentrated on its target audience to service organizations and associations. It would do a bar/restaurant on occasion, but the band members liked working with veteran’s groups because John and Glenn were vets themselves. Glenn and the Gemtones worked almost every weekend, sometimes all three days, for almost 19 years. One particular group they like working with was Boy Scout Troop 730.
Glenn & The Gemtones became the 2nd highest drawing band behind the 229th Army Band at the Concerts in the Park series in Dundalk for many years. The band also had a good run of years performing on the main stage at the Dundalk Heritage Festival. A lot of times, the band brought in an Elvis impressionist – Frank Wagner and Jed Duvall were crowd favorites. In August 2001, they had the honor and privilege to work with Archie Bell and to be his backing band for the evening at Maryland Vet Fest which was held at Oregon Ridge Park.
Part of the promo package for the band is listed below. This particular one was from 2003.
Classics of the Rock & Roll era include big, and not so big hits by artists such as The Diamonds, The Drifters, Elvis, The Beatles, The Platters, The Village People, K.C. & the Sunshine Band, The Romantics, Joan Jett, ZZ Top and others. Modern country music performers like Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, The Mavericks, and others are enjoying fame today because of people like Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, Conway Twitty and Eddie Arnold who made country music popular years ago. Bring rock & roll and country together, and you have an evening with Glenn & The Gemtones.
A 2003 lineup of Glenn & The Gemtones:
Glenn Bullion (lead guitar, lead vocals ex-The British Flags, Splendor Revue, Krackerjax, Four’s Company, The Sentries [one of Baltimore’s top drawing dance bands that backed such big-name recording acts as Otis Redding, the Platters, Chubby Checker, and Ethel Ennis], and for 18 years, Glenn and the Gemtones). An accomplished guitarist, Glenn has played behind such well-known performers as Gary Puckett, The Drifters, and Archie Bell. Glenn’s vocals and guitar playing proves he is a master of music from country to rock n’ roll. Requests from the audience…no problem.
Gary Cejnowski (drums, vocals). Gary’s solid beat kept “Lavender Blue”, a top New Jersey band playing for 20 years doing everything from polkas, to swing, to good old rock ‘n roll. Go, man, go!!
Skip Harrison (bass, vocals). Area country music fans will know how well Skip played bass for Cookie and Brushfire, Raging Country and Full Access. He makes US want to dance.
John Young (keyboards, vocals). John’s keyboard work made The Uptowns, Rusty & the Fidels, and Big Cam & the Lifters the bands to dance to. We like to say that John was playing the oldies when they were Top 40’s.
Karen Young (vocals, percussion). Karen’s strong vocal harmonies with Glenn, Gary, John & Skip is an integral key to the Glenn & the Gemtones sound.
(Quotes from Glenn’s website. Thanks to Glenn and Iris).
Also see Glenn’s ‘00s band The Retro-Rockets
