What a great guitar player! / Bud Martin (Fellow musician )
I only had the pleasure of knowing Gary in recent years.I first heard him playing in Long Beach,Ca in 2000.Everything he played was outstanding.We spoke briefly,then I sat in on bass with the band. Then a couple years later we ended up on the same gig in Garden Grove,Ca. We did that gig a few more times over the following year and developed a friendship.We stayed in touch somewhat,but not enough...
Gary was such a great player,that I remember thinking
"If Gary Rudolph is available,It don't feel right for me to accept a gig"
leave a char for gargar / Cheryl Nestor (Poker Pal )
The New Years Eve anaual poker party at the Nestor's was needless to say not the pro game we usually have without the main player Gary are family always looking forward to the game and play till 2-3am in morning without the gar to be hoyle rulemaster the games were out of control and not the dtaight poker he would play even thou it's dealers choice the chair stade empty and still my dad would say gary shuffle up and deal Gar with a tear in his eye...we love and miss you my love....and the family is void of his talent and humour....cheryl Close
Holiday rememberance / Steve Bedau (friend/brother)
On the evening of December 24th we had our 8th annual Holiday Party. Last year, 2005, gary finally worked out his busy schedule so as to attend. We knew of his illness but he was doing well and it was such a blessing to have him attend. Between that night and the day of his passing, we saw Gary two or three times for brief but happy visits. Needless to say, this years Holiday Party had a big hole in it where Gary should have been. But, we remembered and carried on, as we all do.
Gary's God son, Lennon Bedau (age 16), wrote a prayer for the occasion which we would like to share:
Dear Lord, I'd like everyone to just take a minute and remember my God father, Gary Pal, who was here last year and now he isn't. I know he is in a better place rockin' out with Elvis and the Beatles and all the Greats. And I know they love him up there. Please take care of everyone who lost a family member or someone close, this Christmas season. Please let them be at Peace, in Jesus name, Amen
the music will never die / Cheryl Nestor (best friend )
Too all gary's dear friends thank you and Happy Holidays I wish you were still here oxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxooxox Close
You can tell the good from the bad. / Joe Flygare (Friend)Read >>
You can tell the good from the bad. / Joe Flygare (Friend)
When you're growing up, you love to see your Mother smile, to know she is happy and loved. It was good to know that Gary had this effect on my Mother when ever he was around. Always smiling, always so passionate about life. He had a great heart and always seamed to put those close to him 1st. You can tell the good from the bad, and Gary was great. He will be missed, but was able to leave his mark while he was here. Love ya man.
Friend of my family / Jesse Flygare (Friend)Read >>
Friend of my family / Jesse Flygare (Friend)
Gary was a great friend of my mother's, Cheryl. I remember the summers visiting my mother in LA growing up. Gary was always around. I remember Gary and my mother practicing juggling at a local gymnasium. Gary was never far from some of the best memories I have of the times I spent growing up with my mom. He was a great friend to my mom and I know he will be truly missed. Close
"Take it! Buck" / Steve Bedau (Coach)
Pal, Oh Pal,
I will be forever grateful for the chance in my life to wait for the instrumental to come around, turn to my left and say "Take it, Buck!" ...and then listen for the magic to begin. It will never be the same without you pal. But some of us will carry on and keep makin' music 'cause we have to, just like you. And on many a night at the honky tonks and clubs you loved so much, when the instrumental comes around, I bet a whole bunch a' pickers will think: "I'll play this one for Gary." and then listen for the magic to come.
Rememberence/ Tom Lichtenwaldt (Best Friend in late 60's )
Gary and I probably spent a few hundred hours of picking tunes on the green hillsides and and at small gatherings when we were youngsters in two and three piece acoustic groups . I will always remember Gary as one of the most remarkable guitar pickers around anywhere in the universe. He also was one of the most fun loving dudes you'd ever meet . When we were in high school we won the Topanga Banjo Fiddle contest. And another one in Norco. I was with him when his first vintage martin guitar was stolen---and he was with me when my ss stewart banjo was stolen. Gary and I talked on the phone not long ago and he said " you know , the best time I think I've ever had is when we laughed crazy and played music with the crickets at night on those green hillsides " I share the grief of all of Gary"s old friends in His untimely passing. Perhaps Gary is now overcome with Joy and plays on majestric green hillsides of heaven. Good Bye my good friend-----------Tom Close
Life now begins / Doc Rogers (Bandmate)
Gary, Though I knew you for a few short months, I am honored to have play with you on your last show. You're not only a phenominal talent and a tireless student of your art, but your soul is genuine and you touched all around you in an inspiring and positive light. I celebrate for you as you are now where I aspire to, but I mourn with rest in our selfishness to want you here. May the Lord watch over you as well as the rest of us...keep a few seats warm, we'll be to see you soon. Close
A friend passed today His friends gathered at his bedside, To have their last say So young, full of life and talent, Starting to make his mark I can still hear Gary play'in, that magic guitar
It all happened so sudden He was taken away, up to the great beyond As long as we are living, and have memories in our last days We'll remember the the music, when Gary Rudolf played Now he's on his journey, and We've had our say The Angles in heaven are saying Listen to that man play
for my friend Gary / Colin Cameron (friend & bandmate )Read >>
for my friend Gary / Colin Cameron (friend & bandmate )
Gary, as you know, played guitar with probably more local bands in town than any other guy on the country club circuit. We played in so many bands and situations together that I can't even begin to count. A number of months ago he shared the results of a medical condition with me, one seeminly without a likely favorable outcome, but after receiving a series of treatments he said he was feeling much better, had adopted a healthier lifestyle and was starting to doubt the physicians' diagnoses. Then, rather suddenly, his health took a dramatic turn for the worse, and just a few weeks ago he was so bad that he went to the hospital and began getting immediate emergency treatment.
I learned that Gary was hospitalized from calls from Ted Lessler, Dan Hughart, and messages from Lee Harper and David Loe. On Monday night, July 17, I arrived at Olive View around 10:30PM and spent about an hour with him at his hospital bedside. Although he was medicated to the point of non-responsiveness, I talked to him, told him how much I --- all of us --- love him. I read some passages from the Old Testament (the same Bible for Jews and Christians) that were about miracles and about God's love, and the words of Eccliastes 3 1-8, which was the basis of the Pete Seeger-Byrds song "Turn, Turn, Turn." Before I left I recited the 23rd Psalm while I put my hand on his arm. While there was no visible interaction with me I can only pray that the words somehow got through and gave him comfort. And I shed lots of tears. The next morning he was gone.
Gary, I'll miss your enthusiasm for the music, your unconditional friendship, your excitement at getting the latest model dinosaur for your collection, your late night calls asking me to look up some cast member or director or some obscure film noir or science-fiction movie found in my reference books (another passion we had in common). Truly, there was passion behind everything you did. God bless you Gary. I'll see you again later in the great rhythm section.
My uncle Gary was a great guy! He always captivated me with his stories, regardless of the subject. His encyclopedic knowledge and passion for music, family, movies, politics, animals and life in general were infectious and inspirational. Over the years Gary taught me many valuable life lessons but the most important lesson he taught me was not through words but through his actions. He made a living doing what he loved, playing his guitar; weather he was teaching or performing, his passion, music, was always involved. His kind, talented and loving soul will always be remembered.
A Bright Light no longer shines for us / Will Ray (Friend, Guitar Teacher )Read >>
A Bright Light no longer shines for us / Will Ray (Friend, Guitar Teacher )
I first met Gary in the mid 1980's when he took some guitar lessons from me. I later started running into him at every NAMM show, especially at the Hipshot booth, which always was a "hang" for most of us LA country pickers. He was a fellow endorsee of Hipshot products and was always an asset to any project, band or company he worked with.
I was out of town doing the National Guitar Workshop when he died and was shocked and saddened when I learned of his passing.
A great loss / Paul Marshall (friend)
I played the L.A. County Fair with Gary in '05. It was my first chance to play with him, and over the course of those three weeks, to get to know him a little. He was a fine guitar player and a good singer, and I loved working with him. As we got to know each other, we found out that we had many things in common. Eventually, we played poker together, went shooting together, enjoyed the herb together, and talked about the many Libertarian values that we shared...Gary even tried to help me improve my rusty juggling skills.. All that, plus our similar ancestry, made me feel like I had found a brother. Now I feel like I have lost a brother. I'm grateful that I got to know Gary. I'll miss him very much, and I will never forget him. Close
what a shock, what a shame / Howard Novak (dea friend and bass man )Read >>
what a shock, what a shame / Howard Novak (dea friend and bass man )
I found it odd Gary had not replied to my invite to see Roger Waters upcoming concert as I took him recently to see David Gilmour., again we got to talk so much on the drive to the show.
I have known Gary for 39 years, I have had my second Bass I bought for 37 years and Gary and I were going to get together and play any week now.
Oh Dear what a loss this is. Life is short , Life is Precious, Live it right, sleep well at night
I did not sleep well last night, oh dear what a loss
Recently Gary and the band played one song at the end of the show so my wife and I could dance. ZZ Top's LaGrange
We will always remember he singing right to us. We will miss him, we will all miss him
Oh My, How So SO Sad!!
Love and Prayers to all his friends, family and fellow musicians
Comdolences/ Daniel Holzman (friend)
I am very sad to hear about Gary's death. I look back fondly on the time I spent with him. He was a great guy, and I am sorry I lost touch with him over the years. My deepest sympathy to his family, I am an old friend from the world of juggling, and one of the many people in his life who Gary impressed with his good nature and talent. . Dan Holzman Close
Rememberence!!!/ David Sprowl (Band Mate-Friend )Read >>
Rememberence!!!/ David Sprowl (Band Mate-Friend )
About 3 years ago Gary and I were part of a band just starting up and I got to work with him weekly on the same side of the stage. I got to appreciate just how talented and hard working he was from that experience, not to mention his great sence of humor and wonderful personality. I had to leave that project as I was able to finally get a day job as my unemployment was going to run out. At the end of the last gig we played, he leaned over and said "you're going to be sorely missed". I never thought I'd have to return those words to him. I'll miss you Gary, Save a spot for me in the rythm section. Close
Gary was a good friend / Ben Rushing (Friend and fellow musician )Read >>
Gary was a good friend / Ben Rushing (Friend and fellow musician )
As a drummer, I worked with Gary on many gigs mostly within the last year. He would also call me when he had Macintosh computer questions. He was a great person and the "consummate" musician. He always had a lot to say and could talk your ear off. Gary was a very giving person and he would have given you the shirt off his back if you needed it. I really miss him. He was much too young to leave us. I remember him trying to teach me how to "Juggle" once while we were back stage on a break at a gig. I am uncoordinated for that kind of thing but I tried and couldn't do it no matter how much I tried. He kept trying to show me and never got impatient with me in the process. I will never forget that. Also, This past spring, Gary and I were in an "Oreo Cookie" commercial. I have yet to see the commercial. Now I am really wanting to see it. If anyone ever sees an Oreo commercial with a country band in it, Gary is one of the band members.I will miss Gary. He was a good friend. Close
Tributes and Condolences
Add to favorites 
