Anthony Gosbee has been actively involved in music since he was four years old, but a detour into the sports world almost ended his musical career. In thanks for his return to music, The Osprey Arts Centre will present Anthony Gosbee: No Strings Attached as part of its Home Town Series on Saturday, March 5 at 8 p.m.
Gosbee will include a number of his musical friends in No Strings Attached, happily playing with each of them. Since Gosbee is a guitar maven, his guitar stings will, we hope, be attached.
Gosbee has been a member of a band since elementary school when he and his friends rehearsed at Shelburne Elementary School. In grade seven, he formed a three-piece band called Spirit. “We played little shows during the Christmas season at the Boys School and at the Sandy Point School.”
Then sports happened for Gosbee, which took him away from music for a long time. But about 20 years ago, Gosbee was at a party and “around 4 a.m. I picked up a guitar and started jamming.” He had forgotten how much fun it was. He’s been playing ever since.
His first adult band was Ohio Express, which lasted about six years; then it was Catch 22. They were a real working band, traveling the province with lots of gigs all over. For those of you who remember the opening night at the Osprey Arts Centre in May of 2003, Catch 22 was one of the four bands to play that night.
BackTrac, Gosbee’s present band has been together about nine years. Band members include Jack Smith, Wayne Purney and Danny Acker, with lead vocalist Kathy Bennett, whose strong voice is a great fit for the band.
For the first set, Gosbee will play with some of his friends. Becky Adams and Eddie Perry will open with Gosbee. Next will be very popular Blues musician Bob Vacon with Jack Smith on Bass. The third set of guests will be Chett Buchanan, Eddie Benham on drums and Gosbee. Shelly Macintosh will join them for a Bonnie Raitt song, and Chett’s family – Lisa and Alex – will join them for a Joe Cocker number.
Gosbee was a big fan of The Guess Who growing up and so several of their numbers will round out the first set.
BackTrac will play the second set. Gosbee is a bit secretive about the playlist for this set, mentioning only a Colin James song and some surprise new numbers.
This lineup of our local talent should draw a good crowd.
Dancing can be guaranteed in the second set. So tables will need to be reserved early. Saturday, March 5 at 8 p.m. Tickets are available at the Whirligig Bookshop, 875 1117, Wednesdays –Fridays, 10–5, Saturdays, 10–1 or at the door at 7 p.m. the night of the show.
