Gil Sperry

September 21st, 2011

Mariachi 101

Gil Sperry is a modern-day Renaissance man who delights in entertaining and informing audiences through both the spoken and the written word. He has lectured internationally on subjects ranging from the pragmatic methods for dealing with our energy crisis to the esoterica of how to properly shoot free throws. His first book, “Mariachi for Gringos,” originally released in late 2006 and about to be printed in its Third Edition, is the basis for a television series currently under development. Presentations on ‘Mexico’s macho music’ have been given at colleges/universities, on-board cruise ships, at public libraries, on NPR, and at prestigious retail/book stores across the nation. He has emceed several major mariachi festivals in the United States and, as international interest in the genre has grown, recently been contacted about appearing at a mariachi festival in Japan.

His second book, “Soccer’s Story & A Futbol Fable,” released in 2009, was recently adapted into a screenplay (“The Beautiful Game, A Beautiful Season”) by two veteran Hollywood screenwriters, Steven R Gehrke and Robert Condor. It was the winner of the 2009 International Latino Book Award presented by Latino Literacy Now and the Latino Books into Movies award in 2010.

His third book, “Mariachi for Gringos II,” a sequel to his first book, was introduced at The 4th Annual Tucson Festival of Books held at the University of Arizona earlier this year (2011). All the information about it can be accessed by clicking onto the link: www.mariachiforgringosII.com

Sperry lives in Baja California with his wife, Priscilla, where they enjoy the Mexican lifestyle. food, and music. He is an Official Goodwill Ambassador for Rosarito Beach where he is the founder of the city’s Annual International Mariachi and Folklorico Festival. All net proceeds from this endeavor go to benefit the construction and operation of the local Boys and Girls Club.

He is a graduate of Ohio’s Kenyon College and also holds an M.A. in History from Stanford University; this background, coupled with his extensive musical training, provided him with the expertise he needed to write “Mariachi for Gringos.”

His diverse background, prior to his recent career as teacher/author/lecturer, included stints as co-founder of a publicly traded (NASDAQ) lighting company, Executive Producer of the television series, “Surf and Shore Fishing The World,” seen on both Outdoor Life Network and Fox Sports, and a head-to-head victory over Ted St. Martin, the Guinness Book of Record’s consecutive free throw champ.

His next scheduled book is an authorized biography of the Grammy Award-winning Cindy Shea titled: “Mariachi Diva: From Gringa to Grammy,” planned for a late 2011 release.