Gary grew up in Oakmont, Pennsylvania and attended Riverview high school. Early on, his parents urged him to take up an instrument and his father, a fan of drumming, suggested drums. Throughout his school years, he played in the orchestra, concert band, marching band and jazz band. Mr. Lozenski, the band director at Riverview High School, encouraged him to try out for several honors bands. Gary attended the PMEA, District, and State honors bands, all first chair. During his senior year, he won the National Orchestral Award, the Louis Armstrong Award, and the John Phillip Sousa Award.

Gary graduated from Penn State University and while there, he placed first in talent shows two years in-a-row for performing drum solos. After college, he studied with local drummer Lou Ross for several years and then began performing and recording with various bands in the Pittsburgh music scene. He has also opened for music legends such as B.B. King, Loretta Lynn, and Tanya Tucker.