G-Money, winner of 2003’s Whammy for Best R&B Performer, has a real history in the Fort Wayne music scene, and, while he admits he was surprised at winning, anyone who has ever seen him perform knows this acknowledgment of his talent is long past due.

He acquired the G-Money moniker from Mike Patterson who hired him to work at The Wooden Nickel Record Store in Southgate during a spell of unemployment. “I’d never worked retail,” G-Money said, “but because of my love of music, and not just any music, I turned into a pretty good salesman. Mike started calling me G-Money because I was making money for the store.”

G-Money first started playing guitar at the age of 14. As he puts it, “I got involved with the guitar because I didn’t make the basketball team. At that time, my mentality was, ‘I got to find some other way to pick up chicks!’”

His interest in music goes a little further back, though. “When I was a kid,” he said, “my mom would have me come in and do my James Brown routine for all her friends. You know-’Hey, watch my baby!’ The kids would pick me up and put me on their shoulders. I enjoyed that. I do enjoy the attention. Okay, I said it. All right?”

Enjoying the spotlight notwithstanding, G-Money is quick to credit his bandmates, the Fabulous Rhythm Kids. When we met for the interview for this article, he made it clear his involvement with the band is more important than his personal acclaim. “This interview is kind of like a follow-up to me winning the award,” he said, “but the band shouldn’t be overlooked. I’ve grown over the years. I know the difference between having confidence and the all-out, unabashed ego. I’m happy to be doing what I’m doing-I’m blessed.”

The Fabulous Rhythm Kids include Dave Zych-guitar, vocals; Mark Stein-bass, vocals; and Scott Byler, drums. (Check out their website at www.TheFabulousRhythmKids.com.)

“I’m fortunate to be with these guys,” he said. “We never step on stage until we join hands and say a prayer to God first. You have to put that element in first. That’s my personal feeling.”

He also feels very fortunate about his Whammy win. “I really didn’t think I had that much of a chance,” he said. “I mean, look at my competition - Chris Worth, Ty Causey, R. B. Stiles. These guys all have CDs out. It was kind of a shock. I really feel good about it. It’s an honor because I have worked really hard trying to promote live music.

“It’s like this,” he adds. “In this day of computers and technology, the less people you have in the studio, the easier it is to get a product out faster. I’m not saying it’s good or bad, but I’m not part of that. I’m not trying to be, because I believe in playing the music and having the talent with the band.

“I believe in using computers if you make money, to keep track of your money. Don’t use them to make your music.”

When you consider the range of material the Fabulous Rhythm Kids cover - classic rock, 70s dance funk, Motown and, yes, even the blues - don’t expect any compromise to this commitment. “Sometimes we get a bad rap for being a so-called blues band,” G-Money said, “but I believe in the blues strongly. B.B. King said, ‘No matter what kind of music you’re playing, if you look in there far enough, you’re going to find some blue notes.’”

G-Money has also done some recording, although somewhat sporadically. In 1977, he was part of a band called Trust who did a 45 at the old Star Fox Studios. He has also done some live CDs with Lee Lewis, Terry Smith and Kevin Smith. There are plans for the Fabulous Rhythm Kids to also do some live recording in the near future.

Having won for Best R&B Performer lead naturally to the question of how much R&B is actually being heard by Fort Wayne audiences.

“It kind of varies as far as R&B goes,” G-Money said. “Honestly, though, there’sreally not that much out there anymore. Basically, they’re calling R&B what you would consider hip-hop now. Everybody wants to rap on everything. Okay, they can, but you’ll never hear me doing that.

“It’s like this. I’ve listened to some of it. On a certain level I can appreciate it, but I would never try to perform it in a live show. The stuff you hear today, it’s totally about violence against this, against women, all that kind of stuff. I personally just don’t get the mentality of the world. When I’m not on stage, I just kind of shut myself away from it, and I don’t feel bad about doing it. I guess you could say I’d like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony.”

G-Money smiles broadly after that last comment, and pauses for a while. When asked about the overall acceptance level for the music the Fabulous Rhythm Kids perform, he comes alive again with his answer.

“I guess it’s a generational thing,” he said. “With the younger generation, you can only give them so much of it and then they run the other way, ‘cause when you play real R&B to this generation, it’s like giving kryptonite to Superman. You’ve got to play other stuff to go along with it. The music scene is great here, but I’m not saying R&B is a substantial part of it.”

As a close to the interview, G-Money had this advice for anyone starting out as a musician. “If they take up an instrument of choice, first and foremost-never quit. As long as you play from your heart, it’s always going to be there for you. Besides, the instrument will never break your heart, but women will.”

The Fabulous Rhythm Kids (and of course, G-Money) have a standing monthly gig at The Gin Mill in Fort Wayne. G-Money also hosts a jam on Mondays at The Latch String, starting at 10 p.m. Check out these gigs to see why he won 2003’s Whammy for Best R&B performer.

“It’s the band’s job to keep the audience having a good time,” he said. “The Rhythm Kids pride ourselves on doing that.”

Copyright 2004 Ad Media Inc.