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Gary “The G-man” Toms is a man of many talents. An accomplished journalist, talented disc jockey, actor, screenwriter and philanthropist, he could easily be dubbed a “Jack of All Trades.” However, there are some common and noticeable threads in all of his endeavors - a love of the arts, an affinity for creative expression, and a desire to make a difference.
A confident writer who covers a range of topics from politics to sports, The G-man takes a no-holds-barred approach to his writing. He is relentless in his pursuit of truth and justice and this is reflected in his writing style. He is hardly fazed by terms such as “political correctness,” which causes many a writer to lean more on the side of self-censorship in an effort to avoid controversy. On the contrary, he candidly shares his experiences and world views in an unabashed way that captivates his readers and keeps them coming back for more.
I recently caught up with The G-man for an interview, which turned out to be a very memorable and enlightening experience. Read and enjoy!
The G-man: Before we begin, I'd like to take a moment to say what an honor it is to be conducting this interview with you. Your accomplishments, both creatively and professionally, are nothing short of amazing. So, thank you for this opportunity.
Dr. M: Now that's the way to begin an interview! You have already won me over! Thank you for those kind and flattering words. And speaking of words, what words would the people who know you best use to describe you?
The G-man: The words they would probably use are intense, persistent, funny, creatively gifted, fearless and extremely compassionate.
Dr. M: You go by several different names - your real name, Gary, “The G-man” and “Scorpio.” Have I missed any? What purpose do these different names serve for you personally or professionally?
The G-man: You're the first to pose this question, and it's a great one. I have fun with this aspect of myself on first dates, as I often tell women I have multiple personalities. (Smiling) The look they give me is priceless. Gary is a really soft-spoken and extremely loving person that would be very content with living in a log cabin, near a babbling brook somewhere in North Carolina, and doing nothing all day but writing award-winning screenplays and watching the New York Yankees. “The G-man” is corporate America's, the government's and the entertainment industry's worst nightmare: a writer that will give power-players and decision-makers the middle finger in a heartbeat and call them out for what they truly are, especially if they are doing wrong or great harm to society. “Scorpio”, my deejay name, represents my intense passion for dance music and remixing.
Dr. M: You obviously have multiple interests and talents. What are you most passionate about out of all of your endeavors and why?
The G-man: You're three for three in the great questions department. I'd have to say that I'm most passionate about my film scripts, “Law of the Dragon” in particular, because it's dedicated to my brother, Jorge Daniel Quiles. We weren't blood brothers, but his mother sort of adopted me as a member the family from the age of 11. I learned so much about Puerto Rican culture, and I loved Jorge deeply. On Christmas Day of 1989, he was shot and killed, in Brooklyn, as he returned from Christmas Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. He was just an elevator ride from his apartment when it happened.
He tried to fight off his attacker, and as he turned to try and deflect the gun with a bag of gifts, it went off. The bullet struck him in the temple and he died instantly. I actually saw the body stretched out along the blood-spattered hallway, and he was still clutching the gifts he bought for his mother Petra, his brother Luis and me. All of his money and jewelry were intact, so he literally was killed for no reason. This was a man that was about to graduate St. John's University, attend law school and on the verge of getting married. He absolutely loved my writing, which I never took seriously back then, and he pleaded with me to never stop, especially after he read the draft for “Law of the Dragon.” Six hours after that conversation, Jorge was dead. I haven't stopped writing since, and I'm proud to say “Law of the Dragon” is now in the hands of a major executive at NBC/Universal Pictures.
Dr. M: What a heartbreaking, earth-shattering experience! Having gone through something so tragic and senseless, you could have easily spent your life mad at the world - living recklessly and not caring who you hurt in the process. But you have let this experience fuel you to do some wonderful things and you've been a blessing to so many people. You are such an inspiration. I'm sure that Jorge would be proud of you!
Tell me about your father, Gary Toms Sr. I know that he was lead singer of the Gary Toms Empire, a group that achieved much success back in the '70s with their smash disco hit, “7-6-5-4-3-2-1 (Blow Your Whistle).” How would you describe your father as 1) an entertainer and 2) a dad?
The G-man: As an entertainer, my father was and still is a creative genius. He literally was a child prodigy. He couldn't read or write music and didn't finish high school. One day, while he was still very young, he just sat down and started playing the piano. He eventually mastered nine different instruments with no professional training. He was on magazine covers, “Soul Train”, “American Bandstand” and a host of other pop and disco-oriented shows. That song and album was a monster for him, worldwide. It's why people actually blow whistles in dance clubs to this day.
With regard to fatherhood, and I have to turn into The G-man to answer this one, he f—ing sucked! He was physically abusive, greedy, mean-spirited and selfish, which ultimately led to his downfall as an artist and person. It's fair to say I grew up without a father. We haven't talked in years, but some day, hopefully soon, he'll come to know of my success. I love him for giving me life and his creative genius, but it ends there.
Dr. M: You've just alluded to the fact that we can learn good and bad things from our parents. What are some things that you learned from your father that have stayed with you throughout your life?
The G-man: There are two things: how to synchronize musical rhythms and/or beat counts to perfection, and to never, ever sacrifice your family in the pursuit of acclaim and success. When fame came knocking, dad bounced… and bounced fast! My mother was a crucial part of his success, but she gave it all up to single-handedly raise me, Linda, Tonya and Nejla, much to his displeasure. If you saw the movie “What's Love Got to Do With It?” - the story of Ike and Tina Turner- that was the type of home I grew up in before he left. I never wanted to put any woman in a position to feel like she was second to my career. I vowed to never do what my father did, and that's a key reason why I never married or started a family. I'm on a mission, and once the mission is completed I'll begin to focus on a wife and family.
Dr. M: What kinds of music do you enjoy most?
The G-man: As stated earlier, I love dance music, especially “house music”. I also love Salsa, Beethoven and Classic Rock groups like Fleetwood Mac, Jefferson Airplane and the Eagles. One day I'm going to do a wicked remix of Fleetwood Mac's classic “Rumors” album. (Smiles) I can't stand gangster rap!
Dr. M: You've noted in the past that another one of your passions is philanthropy. How did your love of philanthropy originate and what has been your biggest philanthropic achievement to date?
The G-man: It originated from doing volunteer work in churches, soup kitchens and homeless shelters in Queens and Brooklyn during Thanksgiving. Since my sisters and mom reside in other states, I'm often alone on the holidays. A few of my friends were already volunteering, so I got involved. I loved it, and I vowed that one day I would play a larger role, financially, in helping those in need. To date, my biggest philanthropic achievement has been raising close to $20,000 for wounded and financially distressed soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as military widows and their young children. My deejay partner, “Bass King”, and I were able to accomplish this by teaming up with Hollywood deejays for a major dance party concept I created, which I'm trying to take national. With a little media exposure, I know “The Desert Heroes Dance Party” will take off and help thousands of military families across the country.
Dr. M: These are all wonderful initiatives Gary. You are to be commended for all of your philanthropic achievements - past, present and future ones!
Let's move on to your writing. You are a highly accomplished journalist, having won several awards for your work. Which awards are you most proud of and is there any special reason why?
The G-man: It was truly a blessing to have received them all, but if I had to pick from the seven I received in 2002, I guess they would be the one given by Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-NY), State Senator Malcolm Smith (D-NY), New York City Council Member Joseph Addabbo, Jr. (D-NY) and Queens Borough President Helen Marshall (D-NY). They honored me for my work involving the World Trade Center attacks, where the community I reported from lost 70 residents; the crash of Flight 587 in Belle Harbor (Queens); and an investigative feature on dangerous security breaches at CVS Pharmacy, which forced the CVS franchise to change its policy regarding the removal of customer information from its databases and stores nationwide.
Dr. M: I am not at all surprised by these awards. You are THE most hard-hitting writer that I have encountered to date on Associated Content. You write the things that others are often afraid to write and you have gained quite a following. Where does this courage come from?
The G-man: Again, I have to cite the murder of my brother. There was something I didn't state earlier when detailing the incident. Not only did I see the body and all the blood surrounding it, I saw how cold and heartless a city bureaucracy could be. You see, because the killing took place on Christmas Day, the New York City Housing Authority didn't have maintenance workers on staff that could come and clean the area after the coroner removed Jorge's body. So, me and two other close friends of the family were forced to mop and wipe up the rest of Jorge's remains. Talk about rubbing salt on a wound!
I carry that s–t with me to this day, and I'm thoroughly convinced that incident created The G-man. It's the rage that fuels me and allows me to go where most writers won't. It's also why I have such an intense dislike for bureaucrats and bureaucracies. Unfortunately, most people misinterpret him as a brash and egotistical bastard, but The G-man is just a voice, a symbol, for those who are sick and f—ing tired of being wronged by society or corrupt state and local government agencies. One of my “G-fans” recently noted, “You're a lot like 'The Batman'. There might be something to that. I happen to love “The Dark Knight”.
Dr. M: Without question, you are a writer known for striking up controversy. What has been your most controversial article on Associated Content to date? Did you know that it would be that controversial?
The G-man: It's a tie between “How Love Conquered the Bloods” and “President George W. Bush: The Dancing Fool!” I knew both would be extremely controversial. In the case of the Bloods article, I knew there was a good chance that I'd be killed! A few years ago, I snatched up one of their recruits who was 24 hours from being inducted into the notorious gang. They couldn't have been thrilled about losing a prospect. Still, I posted the article without reservations. With the Bush piece, I called out the President of the United States and dared him to say something about it! I know for a fact the major news organizations logged on to AC and read it because a few hours before his daughter Jenna's wedding, a CNN reporter asked Bush, “Will you be doing a lot of dancing, Mr. President?” Bush looked as though he wanted to avoid the question altogether, which, based on my media experience, was a question most reporters wouldn't ordinarily ask.
Dr. M: While you have written on a variety of topics, much of your writing has centered on politics. Why has this topic been of particular interest to you?
The G-man: Here's my answer, short and sweet: most politicians are assholes that need to be held accountable. So, I ride them and the political system, full-throttle, like a big, badass Harley-Davidson.
Dr. M: What is the one thing that you desire to accomplish most in your writing career?
The G-man: I'd love to become the first African-American screenwriter to win “Best Original Screenplay” at the Academy Awards…for “Law of the Dragon” or “A Flame That Burns”. If not that, I'd be happy with being recognized as one of the bravest and most creatively gifted writers in America by my peers and the literary world.
Dr. M: Is there anything about Gary “The G-man” Toms that readers would be surprised to learn?
The G-man: Yes, two things. I have studied Chinese martial arts, Wing Chun, Tai Chi Chuan and a little Jeet Kune Do, since I was eight years old. I stopped a couple of years ago, but I still practice with a few close friends. The other thing is I made it to the preliminary round of “Jeopardy!” in 1993. I received a letter requesting that I fly to Los Angeles, but financial constraints prevented me from taking advantage. I can still get 80 percent of the answers and hope to have another shot in the future. (Laughing) Maybe I'll be on the celebrity version one day. Put your money on The G-man!
Dr. M: (Laughing) Will do! Once you achieve your big win on Jeopardy, I'm sure that people will want to know even more about The G-man. Describe a typical a day in the life of Gary “The G-man” Toms.
The G-man: I'm up at 5 or 6 a.m. I shower so the neighbors don't think I forgot to take out the garbage. Then, I have a cup of green tea. I drink at least four cups a day, and I split the day between working as a freelance writer, researching articles for AC, taking my daily walk, working on new scripts and TV show concepts, remixing and trying to gain media exposure and corporate support for The Desert Heroes Dance Party. I try to be in bed by 12 a.m., but “Frasier” often prevents that from happening. (Smiles)
Dr. M: In what ways do your public and private personas differ?
The G-man: When I'm Gary, my world is extremely private. Here's the weird thing: I don't like being the center of attention, and I hate confrontation! (Laughing) What the hell is that about? I've been a mentor to a young man I regard as my son, Michael, for the last four-and-a-half years. He's the one that was going to join The Bloods. I prefer tranquility in my life and love being near secluded lakes or beaches. I'm an introverted neat-freak with an extremely sharp wit and a probing mind. I absolutely love cooking and sensual kissing. I just don't get to do the latter very often. On the other hand, The G-man and Scorpio are definitely showmen who take great pleasure in raising hell in the media and on the dance floor. They're extroverts to the extreme, and both love loud music, fine wine and warm women.
Dr. M: I hear that you are an eligible bachelor. Do you see marriage in your future and if so, what kind of woman would be a good match for The G-man?
The G-man: Oh, here we go! I'm going to end up on ABC's “The Bachelor” after this question. (Laughing) Yes, I would love to get married some day. It's just that I'm dedicated to my career objective and very, very picky when it comes to women. Hell, when it comes to marriage you have to be. We're talking about a lifelong commitment, and I'm the type that would only want to marry once. When I love, I love deeply and fight to make it work.
Okay, to all you ladies out there, here's what it would take to land this bachelor: 1) She would be able to attend a ballroom gala with the beauty, class and elegance of the late Princess Diana of Wales and hold engaging conversation with Nobel Prize winners and foreign dignitaries…while slipping in a dirty joke or two. 2) She would be able to leave the ballroom, disappear into the bathroom, rip the gown off, emerge from the bathroom in a tight and extremely sexy mini dress and whisk me away to the hottest dance club in the city. 3) After seducing me on the dance floor, she'd take me home, light an assortment of scented candles and make love to me in a canopy bed atop red, satin sheets until we fell asleep in each other's arms. 4) Upon awaking, she would shower with me, pack a bag and board a plane with me bound for Africa. While there, she would help me to gently feed tiny babies dying of AIDS. Simply put, she is extremely intelligent, but not so much that she takes herself too seriously. She is drop-dead gorgeous, sexually playful and bold. She is so phenomenal in bed that I would never seek another for sexual pleasure, and she has an overwhelming sense of love and compassion for those less fortunate. This is the woman that would be an ideal match for The G-man, Scorpio or Gary.
Dr. M: (Laughing) Are you certain you're not looking for Angelina Jolie? Because this was the first image that came to mind as I heard your description - minus the bedroom stuff, of course, which is more information than I care to know about her. Anyway, I hear that Angelina is currently very pregnant - with twins. And I don't know if she would be able to handle Gary, or any of his alter egos for that matter!
On a more serious note - before your days are over here on this Earth, what are the three biggest things that you would like to accomplish in your life?
The G-man: First, build one of the largest media/entertainment companies in the country and share my story with thousands of teens through public speaking. Second, use a significant portion of my company's earnings to fund programs for poor, inner-city kids and people seeking a new start after being released from prison. Last, and certainly not least, to shower my mother, and sisters, with all the things she should've had after forsaking fame for family.
Dr. M: I have truly enjoyed doing this interview with you Gary. I'm sure that readers will appreciate your openness and be moved by your words. I wish the best of luck to you with all of your endeavors. I know we'll be hearing much more about you in the very near future!
