Music CD Friends-of-the-Bay

The album was produced by Nashville session-ace and Cleveland native, Tom Bukovac, with appearances from other Ohio luminaries, including legendary drummers Joe Vitale and Shawn Fichter. 

According to Gatewood, "Friends-of-the-Bay came about during a late-night show at Put-in-Bay. I made up part of it that night, then our guitarist, young Tom Bukovac, finished it off the following day and we sang it at our next show. From that very first performance, it instantly became our most popular song.” 

“Everybody stood up, locked arms, and started swaying back and forth, singing along. It was amazing! That’s the way it’s been ever since, and it’s always the last song of the show”, Gatewood said. The song was originally recorded live in the 1980s at a bar on Put-in-Bay with some antiquated equipment that didn’t really capture the moment. But that recording started to be played at island weddings, funerals, and social gatherings all the time. Eventually, the island's village council deemed it the island's official song in 2014.

Gatewood said, “With that honor, it deserved a modern recording”, so he recorded a new version and an entire album to boot. 

The new album, Friends-of-the-Bay is about good times in the summer and the anticipation of those good times when it’s cold”, Gatewood said.

The album creates an uplifting and fun musical experience. You'll be rocking out in your seat or on your feet to some great music! Gatewood said, “All you have to do is sing along to the title track and you'll be transported in your mind to all those good times in the summer.” 

Good Times Start Today

I Settled Up

You Make Me Smile

Things Couldn't Get Any Better

3:30 It's Hard to Be Human Sometimes

My Old Friend (Laughter)

Summertime

Worry No More

That's You 3:44

Island in the Sun

Find Me

Friends-of-the-Bay