Biography
Gary Sohmers attained his love of collecting from his father who collected campaign buttons. At the age of eight, he began selling his toys at garage sales, and took an interest in learning the relevance and history of the items, eventually becoming a world renowned expert and authority on Pop Culture. He opened Madcity Music Exchange in Madison WI in 1975 and published Madcity Music Sheet and Guide music fan and trade publication from 1976 - 1983. Sohmers has also written numerous reviews and stories for other publications such as Performance Magazine and Antiques Journal.
Gary Sohmers was initially influenced by his father's love for songwriting. He formed the first incarnation of his rock 'n' roll band, Windjammer in 1972. Sohmers often recruited an array of professional musicians who performed in other local bands. In 1979, Sohmers recorded the Windjammer EP (Extended play) at Pepperhead Studios in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. The 7 inch 33 1/3 Vinyl Record consisted of songs he penned, featuring guitarist Scott Holmstrom, along with some guest stars from other bands including Butch Vig in his first recording session for another artist other than his own band on the song "Blind," plus Art Baldocci and Greg Biela of the Mercury recording band Heartsfield on "Spinning My Wheels". In 1983, Sohmers recorded his original song "Dinosaur Rock" with future Garbage (band) members Butch Vig and Steve Marker, recorded at Smart Studios, in Madison, Wisconsin.
After his move to Massachusetts in 1984, he opened Wex Rex Collectibles in Hudson MA selling toys, records, and rock and roll memorabilia. The retail shop has since closed, but Sohmers continues to buy and sell Pop Culture at shows and offer expert appraisal services.
In 1997, Sohmers made his first appearance on Antiques Roadshow in Rochester, New York. His first aired appraisal for the show was of an oil painting by musician Frank Zappa from 1960, which he valued at $15,000 to $25,000. On 13 seasons and over 80 appearances on TV, other notable appraisals by Sohmers that aired on the show include original Peanuts comic strip artwork, with an appraised value of $450,000, a laugh track machine invented by Charles Douglass appraised at $10,000, and a Beatles "Butcher Cover" album ranging in value somewhere between $10,000 and $12,000.
Sohmers appeared as a guest on episode 17 of season 4 of the PBS Kids show Fetch! with Ruff Ruffman. Sohmers also appeared as an expert appraiser on five of six episodes of the VH1 television show "For What It's Worth" hosted by Howard Stern Show radio personalities Gary Dell'Abate and Jon Hein.
Sohmers has been producing the NorthEast Collectibles Extravaganza since 1985 and currently also produces the NorthEast ComicCon outside of Boston MA, along with Concerts and other fan oriented events.
Sohmers has written and is producing a show for Broadway, a musical titled "Beasties: A Sci-Fi Rock Opera" which encompasses 17 songs written and co-written by Sohmers due to be produced on stage in 2020. A cast concert recording will be released soon.
