Gary Randall

Gary was born August 10, 1949, to Durwood and Marjie Randall, who farmed north of Madison, South Dakota. The Randalls moved into town 10 years later. When Gary was 12, he asked for a guitar for Christmas. Santa brought a Harmony guitar, and Gary took a few lessons from Merlyn Hiaring.

Both of Gary’s older siblings had played accordion, so music was important to the family. “No day went by when I skipped practicing the guitar,” Gary said. Jay Nielsen and Jeff Severson, who were inducted with Zero Ted and The Young Raiders, started playing guitar around the same time, and they jammed with drummer Terry Rathbun of The Ride.

Gary was largely self-taught, so he was surprised when Madison Music asked him to teach guitar lessons. He bought a 12-string Gibson and eventually taught 35 students each week. Two of his students were Gary Snow and Jay Beck.

Gary Randall and Jay Nielsen, now on bass, formed Gary and Jay and played the French Quarter in Sioux Falls, Lake Madison Ballroom and many other venues. They added drummer Jerry Driscoll and lead guitarist Archie Jenkins for several months. Gary and Jay later moved to the Twin Cities during their junior year of college and auditioned to become the house band at Archie’s in northeast Minneapolis. Agent Augie Morin booked them at Holiday Inns and resorts throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Gary married Debbie Pearson in 1971 and returned to Madison. The duo had opened for performers including Red Sovine and Wanda Jackson, but Gary ultimately decided to return to South Dakota to raise his family.

He returned to performing as a solo act, and in 1972 was joined by Arlene Beyer on bass, Bobby Mildenberg on lead guitar, Greg Bjork on saxophone and Steve Sunde on drums. The Gary Randall Group performed at Holiday Inns in Mitchell, Sioux Falls and Brookings, as well as the Staurolite and Safari Club.

Gary later returned to solo work before joining singer Doug Owen of 4th Demension and The Young Raiders, guitarist Jan Arden Peterson of 4th Demension, and drummer Stan Ewalt to form Sweet Clover. They performed at the Iron Horse and Earl’s Pizza in Sioux Falls, Holiday Inns in Brookings and Sioux Falls, and the Guest House and The Office in Watertown.

Gary eventually returned to performing solo, playing venues including Doc Holliday’s and The First Edition, sometimes joined by Cecile Bjordahl Wollman on keyboards and Mark Eiseland adding a third harmony. He also performed Christian music at the Cornerstone Steakhouse in Freeman. Over the years, Gary continued to be in demand for performances at country clubs, churches, weddings and funerals.

Gary Randall received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018 and the Spirit of the Music Award in 2019.