Nancy co-cartoonist Guy Gilchrist has announced that he’s closing his private art school, Guy Gilchrist’s Cartoonist’s Academy. He has funded and run the academy for the last five years, but with waning enrollment due to the recession and a growing interest in his songwriting by big artists and producers in Nashville, he simply says, “it’s time for my next adventure.”
You might remember a one-line news item last fall about Guy pursuing an old passion of writing and performing music. At a cross-road moment of his life in the early ’80s, Guy had a hit that briefly cracked the Billboard top 100 that peaked the interest of notable names in entertainment, but he also had an opportunity to work with Jim Henson drawing “The Muppets” comic strip that was syndicated worldwide. Guy chose the latter and put his music career on hold.
Lately the music bug started biting again. A much older Guy, he felt he had more to say and so he started putting his poems to music and began playing in local establishments. He also recorded his own CD and has a record contract pending in Nashville. The move to Tennessee is an effort to place him closer to the who’s who of the music industry.
Asked about his plans with the Nancy strip, Guy says he has no plans to stop doing the strip.
Good luck, Guy! I was one of the lucky few who was able to attend one of Guy’s classes and a few of the special guest lectures he sponsored. It was all very well done and I thank you for providing the opportunity! Can’t wait to see you in my store’s music bin!
Welcome, Guy, to the National Cartoonists Society’s Southeastern chapter!
Big props to Guy, for following his heart and having the courage to change things up and embrace a new direction i his ife. He’s a great talent and I wish him all the luck in the world.
Continued success my friend.
Best of luck, Guy, as you and Angie embark on this new adventure together! And God bless Angie for putting up with the fickle mind of a cartoonist! Well done, bro, and good luck again!
Wishing you great success, Guy!!!
Thank you. I’ve been so lucky . To have all the adventures I’ve had, to have this career, Nancy, Muppets, all of it….and the ability to be mobile and to work on the features wherever I am. Mostly, I’m lucky and blessed to be in a profession where your heroes become your friends, and friends of this brotherhood of the “Higgins Forerarm and hand tattoo” are like no other. This is a great biz, and I’m fortunate. I’m excited about the new/old gig….the songwriting.
The academy was such a blast.
Again….thanks.
Welcome to our crazy state Guy. Good luck with your new adventure.
Hey Guy, as I replied privately and am happy to repeat publicly, I’m sorry to hear that you’re closing the Academy, but trust that you’re going on to something that’ll be even more personally, creatively (and hopefully financially) rewarding. I feel honored to have had a chance to visit while you had the place going full-tilt, and as far as I’m concerned you set the Gold Standard for professionalism and generosity in the time you spent with my wife Karen and me. I’ll always appreciate your kindness and will do my best to pass it on.
Best of luck with your music, and best wishes to you and your family.
I know you will knock ’em dead in Music City U.S.A. !!! Glad to know you will be keeping your “day” job as well.
Sorry to hear about the Cartoonist Academy, Guy, but I’m excited to hear you’re following your dreams and moving to Nashville!
Good luck to you and Angie as you set out in a new direction of your journey together!
Cheers!!
It’s amazing how much you’ve already accomplished, Guy. Thanks again for the chats we shared while you were at the Academy.
Best of luck on your new adventure … You’re never too old to follow your dreams!
I first encountered Guy through his Drawn to Success series of articles. They served as a great inspiration to me and I’m sure many others. Best of Luck Guy in all that you do.
Thanks so much, again.
PS….no R.I.P.s and eulogies. folks!
I’m still drawing, writing, ans rocking.
Guy
Best of luck to you, Guy & Angie, as you continue onward & upward with your music career in Nashville. Knowing you both & Brad (in our daughter Kim’s class), & Renee (in our daughter Kris’s class) as students at Avon High and seeing you sucessful makes us feel so very happy for you. We will follow your new career and know that you will do well with it & your cartooning. If we ever get down to Nashville we will look you up! Sincerely, The Kepners (retired AHS teachers)
Guy, Dan here…. artist also. I have a project where I could use your talents possibly. I need help bringing my sketches to another level… a creative open minded cartoonist who would like to be a team player on this new endeavor that I am amalgamating into. I have been a drywall finisher for 22 yrs. and I’m over it.. I also pick and write, carve, lay stone, poet, drummer, etc… but this new idea could be the “Mother” of all ideas yet. Can we talk? ~ Dan at 615-207-8510
Hey Guy, Congrats! I am so glad to see that you are following your dreams. I’m sure my dad is watching from above with skepticism and pride! You only get to go around once. Good luck Guy.
All My Best,
Donna
It was a pleasure to meet you at Pickwick Inn, at Pickwick Landing State Park. Hope you’ll come see us again. I am the hostess/cashier in the restaurant.