Purly Gates

Purly Gates, professional role model, educator, multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and fun-raiser was born at a very early age...... Now, she takes great delight in using her talents and knowledge to inspire folks young and old to do the best they can. She enjoys spreading optimism and smiles. Purly has many claims to fame, not the least of which is the fact that she has followed her heart throughout the majority of her life. Her music has delighted and educated listeners coast to coast and on at least 4 continents. She has repaired her own vehicles, built her own home, grown her own food and written her own songs. She is content and still actively pursuing her muse and her goals - ever-changing, always learning.

In years gone by I've opened shows for the likes of Steve Martin, Odetta, Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry and the Austin Lounge Lizards. I've done school residency work as far away as Micronesia, on the western edge of the Pacific Ocean (south of Japan). Chronicle news magazine interviewed me for their Boston Network Television show. And I've worked side-by-side with the amazing Pete Seeger, on the sloop Clearwater, on the Hudson River.

Yes, I sure do play live. At schools, music and book festivals, libraries and camps. I've played at DisneyWorld in Orlando, FLA (for their Earth Day celebration) a while back. I also play with some other groups in folk clubs and at cowboy poetry/music gatherings. I love performing, and jamming, too!

Fats Waller, Lisa Rogers, Pete Seeger, Jim Kweskin Jug Band, Billie Holiday

I love my 1960's Gibson B-25 6-string guitar.But I also play a hand-made guitar, by Joe LoMonaco of Brattleboro, VT. I play a Fairbanks Tubaphone 5-string banjo, an old banjo-ukulele and various ukuleles and small accordions.

Thanks for stopping by!