Featured
Member of the Month
December 2009
~ Gerald Wills ~
Gerald Wills Delivers "The Gift of a Smile" regardless of the season.  During the Christmas season he trades his jean and suspenders for fur and a "HO! HO! HO!" to play a role created by Clement Clarke Moore some 175 years ago defining our timeless image of Santa Claus, "Twas the NIght before Christmas".  Gerald does dress in fur from his head to his feet and he is quite lively and quick.  His eyes twinkle, his dimples are merry, his cheeks like roses, his nose like a cherry, his mouth draws up like a  bow, and of course his beard is as white as snow.  Yes and he has been known to fling a bundle of toys on his back and drive his sleigh as he calls out his reindeer's names.  A right jolly old elf that can sing and whistle, however I am not sure any of us know how good he is about coming down the chimney?

Born in 1953, Gerald is a genuine Okie residing in Guthrie, Oklahoma.  He and his wife Tawana have eight grandchildren and one of them, Devon, lives with the Wills.  Of course we all know Guthrie is known for bluegrass and so is Gerald.  He loves country, gospel and bluegrass music and can sing as good, if not better, than he can HO! HO! HO!  In 1980, Gerald started singing and since then has not quit.  He has performed as a soloist, in a duo, trio, and in a quartet!  If you want to hear some good ole' down home country music, Gerald can certainly put a smile on your face.  Gerald makes Country and Bluegrass music fun and Gospel music meaningful.  He believes in the Lord and as a regular on CMSA Gospel Praise Night, you can tell gerald lives and believes what he sings.  Gerald enjoyed Open Mic when we met at the Grill on the Hill, but other locations just added more miles to his Guthrie commute.

Gerald likes to ride his Harley and get out "On the Road Again" with his friend Darrell Graeff.  Together, these guys are lethal wether they are on their bikes or just singin'.  Deadly might be a better description.  Gerald worked with Darrell Graef for years.  The way I heard it, they were tearing down a three story building and one of their jobs walanding.  I guess the question is, who had the most faith?  Maybe Gerald ties Darrell to his sleigh and then comes down the chimney?  After all Gerald is almost 125 poinds lighter since he ad his gastric bypass surgury. 

How did Gerald become a CMSA member?  Well, it was a domino effect starting with Mary McElfresh, Linda Thomas, Darell Graef, and Cliff Moore.  Mary and Linda had been trying to get Darrell to join for a long time but he was reluctant because he had to use a cheat sheet.  When Cliff was working the Deaconess Hospital project, he got aquainted with Darrell and convinced him to audition and join.  Remember the tub... Darrell and Gerald are a team.  Once Darrell joined, it did not take long for Gerald to join, too.

The eagle eyes of Ginger and Al Boles focused in on both Gerald and Darrell.  Ginger remebered that some time ago they had performed on their TV show.  It did not take her long to get them booked on the Gospel Praise Night and as well on the computer TV show they are currently recording.  What a blessing Gerald is to Gospel Music and the Gospel Praise Night.  What a blessing to hear Gerald and Darrell - What a Team!  Many of you may remember Gerald as a California Raisin in last yars Gong Show, or better still, the duo - "Flats and Scruggs" who came out singing "The Beverly Hillbillies Theme Song".  Yes, and his buddy Darrell was a raisin and the other half of teh Theme song.  Can't remember who was Flats and who was Scruggs?

After 17 years at Deaconess Hospital, Gerald is looking forward to hanging up his hat and retiring.  But this little old driver so lively and quick works on the side making gardens of iron, as in art work.  He has developed his own web site gardens of iron.  Check it out and smile when you see his artistic iron work for gardens. 

One thing about Gerald is that hs is very humble.  He gave me all of the three sentences about him being artist of teh month and the rest I had to dig up!.  One thing I did find out that regardless of the season, Gerald can find a way to give the Figt of a Smile!  So make sure and get out to a Country or Gospel show when Gerald is booked and listen to his music.  If you get a chance to look in a mirror, "check out your smile". He is like magic - He is Santa Claus.  Or if you are wanting some Art Work in your garden, check out his website.  Or, if you see Santa riding a Harley check out your smile.  If you see a  man trying to kick a tub or sleigh that is attached by a rope to a man, check you rsmile!  Maybe you better check you chimney on Christmas morning and listen to hear  "Kick it"