McGimpsey Allan

Article by Jason Setnyk
The Local Seeker
August 5,

Cornwall - Allan McGimpsey is a small business owner by day and a rock star by night. The owner of Bicycle World is also the guitarist of classic rock band Landmark.

Landmark began in the early 1980s, but took a long hiatus when band members became parents. However with their respective children growing up, the classic rock band has reformed.

McGimpsey has been in the music industry most of his life, playing guitar since high school, his talents have entertained people of all ages.

"My mother bought a electric guitar for 50 cents at a yard sale. My brother Don started teaching himself, and I caught on soon after. I got into a band and started playing in clubs when I wasn't evenof age,'' McGimpsey recollects.

His guitar style is smooth and versatile and he's comfortable playing many styles of music. Whether it is contemporary, country, reggae, blues or rock and roll, Allan "Alley Cat" McGimpsey puts on a memorable and crowd pleasing show. His influences include The Beatles, Brian Adams, Pink Floyd, The Eagles, and Blue Rodeo. After high school, McGimpsey played in a country band, and after that he started Landmark. He even had an opportunity to play a show with band that influenced him.

Playing every single weekend, we began to get some recognition playing at high schools and fairs. We received a phone call from a promoter who was bringing Blue Rodeo to Winchester and who wanted us to open for them. What an experience it was to be backstage talking to the band and checking out their tour bus.''

Landmark is back together playing shows around Cornwall, Ottawa, and the surrounding area. In the 1980s there was no such thing as social networking now McGimpsey finds it convenient to keep in touch with fans on websltes like Facebook.

What's next for this small business owner, family man, and guitarist? "For the last 25 years I have been playing and entertaining to the best of my ability. The entire time I have been working, running Bicycle World here in Cornwall. Being the owner is a real treat. Loving my day job and loving my night job makes me feel very lucky and blessed that I can meet the public and be a part of their lives in a fun and enjoyable way. The future goals for the band include doing some original stuff, recording, and writing about
some life experiences that have got me here today."

Visit Bicycle World at 150 Pitt Street in beautiful downtown Cornwall. Visit Landmark and Bicycle World on the Internet:
http://www.landmarkband.com
http://bicycleworld.com