Gerard McNamee

Gerard McNamee Jr. (born August 5 in The Bronx, New York) is an American actor, art curator, songwriter, producer, and director. He is the director of operations of New York City’s world-famous Webster Hall and the curator of The Quarterly Art Soirée.

Life and Early Career

The eldest of five children, Gerard was born to the former Helen Scales and NYC transit police officer Gerard McNamee. He was educated at Our Lady of Mercy Grammar School in Hicksville, Long Island and St. Mary’s Boy’s High School in Manhasset, Long Island. As the son of hard-working Irish immigrants, he was raised on a diet of old world Irish and country music with a mix of The Clash and Led Zeppelin. While celebrating his 8th grade graduation he was introduced to DJing[1] when a family friend showed up with a music rig and transformed the calm gathering into a discothèque. Inspired by the power of music to move people, Gerard would purchase a DJ deck of his own and begin producing block parties and club events.

Following his graduation from Fordham University, Rose Hill with his BS in Business Management, Gerard applied to a classified advertisement in The New York Times that read "Night Club Manger Wanted". Despite only having two years experience booking bands and DJs at the Bronx River Yacht Club, he was hired[2] by Lon, Steve, and Doug Ballinger in January 1993 to run the legendary and world-famous Webster Hall. During his tenure as "The King of New York", Gerard hosted a constellation of stars including Madonna, President Bill Clinton, Trent Reznor, The Spice Girls, and Axl Rose. In May 1997, Gerard left Webster Hall to pursue his own business ventures. He started by purchasing a bar in Hunter Mountain which he christened Six Mile Cross in homage to his father's hometown in Ireland. Over the next 10 years, he would open additional locations of "The Cross" in Montauk, East Hampton, and City Island. Responding to the 1998 terrorist bombing at Omagh, Co. Tyrone, Gerard would pen[3] A Moment of Silence[4] in honor of the victims with music from his personal friend Bill Campion of The Bogmen. During this time he would travel all over the world and tour across the country with The Great American Frontier Show.

Return to Webster Hall

In 2008, at the request of the Ballinger family, Gerard returned to Webster Hall. Under his leadership the club would claim its mantle as the number one[5] nightclub in New York City. Stars who graced the stage under Gerard's direction include Lady Gaga, Tiësto, Sara Barielles, Paul Simon, The B-52's, Aimee Mann, Katy Perry, DJ Diplo, Brandon Flowers, Iron & Wine, Waka Flocka Flame, Faith No More, Nate Ruess, Sia, The Used, Muse, Jessie J, The Wombats, Mika, The Mighty Mighty Boss Tones, Chance The Rapper, Zeds Dead, Chromeo, Wiz Khalifa, Vance Joy, Charli XCX, Lenny Kravitz, Metallica, and Snoop Dogg. Following a concert in 2008, Gerard met the art curator Jenny Mushkin-Goldman with whom he would found The Quarterly Art Soirée[6] to restore Webster Hall's history of presenting classical arts, charity benefits,[7] and emerging artists in the spirit of Marcel Duchamp.

During the making of a documentary on Webster Hall's history, Gerard met the film director Gregg De Domenico who would write and shoot the award-winning film Hip Priest[8] for him. Following the film's premiere at the Tribeca Grand,[9] Gerard would begin juggling a new job[10] as actor[11] while continuing his duties as curator, spokesman, and director.[12] In July 2017, Gerard announced that Webster Hall's historical home had been purchased[13] by Brooklyn Sports Entertainment with a planned 2 year closing for renovations. In a Facebook post that would go viral and be cited in numerous leading news sites across the globe, Gerard honored the history of the hall while inviting guests from all over the world to enjoy the "end of an era[14]" in concerts featuring Michelle Branch, Good Charlotte, Action Bronson, Skillrex, and Nine Inch Nails. Despite the closing of Webster Hall, Gerard maintains his position as director.

Personal life

In 1994, Gerard's brother Brian lost his life in a tragic fire in Burlington, Vermont. He remains very close to his family including his parents, sisters Eileen, Maryclare, and his nephew Ruadhán.

A long time taste-maker in NYC, Gerard is affectionately known as "Sir Gotham". As a close friend of Joe Hurley, Gerard joins Hurley's annual all-star line-up of "The Great Irish Songbook[15]". He maintains ownership of the East Village restaurant East Village Social.

Gerard lives in New York City in Chelsea.

References

  1. ↑ "Interview: Gerard McNamee – Webster Hall's East Village Badass | Live4ever Media". Live4ever Media. 2014-11-19. Retrieved 2017-08-10.
  2. ↑ "Webster Hall's GM Gerard McNamee Tells His Origin Story - BlackBook". BlackBook. 2013-11-28. Retrieved 2017-08-10.
  3. ↑ "Brenda to stir Angela’s ‘Ashes’? — Irish Echo". irishecho.com. Retrieved 2017-08-10.
  4. ↑ "IT BARES REPEATING: CINDY IS NUDE AGAIN!". NY Daily News. Retrieved 2017-08-10.
  5. ↑ "Webster Hall VP Heath Miller Talks Pollstar 'Nightclub of the Year' Nomination". Billboard. Retrieved 2017-08-10.
  6. ↑ "A Soiree With The Arts In Mind". Retrieved 2017-08-10.
  7. ↑ "Two Major Haiti Relief Benefits at NYC's Historic Webster Hall | The Stewardship Report". www.stewardshipreport.com. Retrieved 2017-08-10.
  8. ↑ "HIP PRIEST: Inspired by a Photograph". RED HOT-SOCIETY. 2012-10-26. Retrieved 2017-08-10.
  9. ↑ "Rachel Maddow calls Dick Cheney her dream guest". NY Daily News. Retrieved 2017-08-10.
  10. ↑ "Willie Robertson says 'Duck Dynasty' clan is flying high". NY Daily News. Retrieved 2017-08-10.
  11. ↑ Johnson, Richard (2017-05-07). "Webster Hall manager lands Volkswagen commercial". Page Six. Retrieved 2017-08-10.
  12. ↑ "Thieves beat a path to the Leonora club's door in Chelsea". NY Daily News. Retrieved 2017-08-10.
  13. ↑ Romano, Evan (2017-07-10). "Webster Hall (As We Know It) is Closing In August". Brooklyn Magazine. Retrieved 2017-08-10.
  14. ↑ "Webster Hall to rock one last time in ‘The End of an Era’ show before yearlong closing". Metro US. 2017-08-08. Retrieved 2017-08-10.
  15. ↑ Desk, BWW News. "Joe Hurley's 19th Annual All-Star Irish Rock Revue Hits The Highline". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2017-08-10.
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