Five Firsts: Greg Klyma

NAME: Greg Klyma
INSTRUMENT: guitar, mandolin, voice, tenor banjo, piano

1. THE FIRST ALBUM I EVER BOUGHT WAS … Back in Black by AC/DC. I remember dropping the needle on it for the first time. There were many churches in our neighborhood. When “Hell’s Bells” came on, I thought the church bell was sounding.

2. THE FIRST CONCERT THAT I EVER SAW WAS … Willie Nelson and Family at Buffalo War Memorial Auditorium

3. THE FIRST MUSICAL INSTRUMENT I EVER OWNED OR PLAYED WAS … My grandfather had a Penco acoustic that he never played. Sometimes my Uncle Billy would play it, and grandpa would accompany him on harmonica. When I started playing guitar, that instrument was given to me. I wrote my first songs on it. A month before he died – not knowing it was to be a month before he died – I asked my grandfather to autograph the guitar. I still own it and play it from time to time. Every now and then, I find another song in there.

4. THE FIRST SONG THAT I EVER PERFORMED IN PUBLIC WAS … Hmm, don’t know. It’s been a while. Something I wrote, no doubt. (I didn’t play in public until after I started writing.) My guess would be “Down Comes the Night (The Spirits)” or “Worn-Down Gypsy Man.” That was a lifetime ago.

5. THE FIRST BAND I WAS EVER IN WAS … Greg Klyma and Stone Church, 1993-1997 (RIP)

Buffalo-born, Boston-based singer-songwriter Greg Klyma celebrates the release of his new album, “Another Man’s Treasure,” at 8pm on Friday (November 15) at Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs. Tickets are $15 in advance; $17 at the door; $7.50 children under age 13.