My deepest condolences to the family. I still miss seeing this very nice gentlemen at the door of the Birchmere.  He was always extremely pleasant.

Michelle

I have not been back to the Birchmere since Gary Passed ...it is surreal that he will not be there to call out the tiket numbers too many changes ...cannot believe it`s been 2 years already ...may you continue to rest in peace Gary ....

Visited yet again, last night, for the Boney James show.  Love The Birchmere, but the void is evident, each time, without Gary.  May he continue to REST IN PEACE.  

We all get caught up in our own little worlds.  The Birchmere was a bright spot living in Northern Virginia.  Gary made that bright spot and made it feel like home.  While I didn't get to too many shows, my love for music was supported by Gary and the best club on earth.  I'm in the process of reading his book.  Every musician in that book I've seen at numerous other locations.

Thanks Gary, for all the memories.  RIP

Doug Hall from the High Country of North Carolina... the home of Doc and Merle Watson and so many other great musicians

Remembering a truly great guy who was loved and now missed dearly ! It’s been a year but not ever forgotten! Your spirit, warmth and love for music, family and friends is felt every time we visit the Birchmere !

My condolences to the Oelze family. 
Gary was a good man and fair to everyone. 
I truly enjoyed the time I worked for you at the " first Birchmere " you had and you also showed me pictures that you had taken when myself and 2 others built a deck at your house in Arlington VA.
you and I shared a good laugh because one of the pictures I had fell asleep 😴 
R.I.P Gary and you are always truly missed 
Janice Ward

It's been a long time. When I worked for you Jimmy And Ralph. We had a lot of good times. You were great to work for. When I learned you had gone to heaven. I was sad but happy you're at peace. You build a Legacy  and memories that will live on for every. With you in our hearts. 
G

Thank you! You offered live music to my soul and I am better for it!

As Bob Hope sang “ thanks for the memories “ … Thanks to Gary , I  have attended so many shows and met so many wonderful fans of live music  throughout the years at the Birchmere   , all due to the determination and passion of Gary Orieze . He created a wonderful legacy of great live  music in an intimate venue for the total live entertainment experience …. I will miss our pre-show chats , Gary calling out the “ number “ tickets to gain entrance into the music hall , his beautiful smile and  snow white hair and , his “ love “ of the Cadillac … see ya on the other side … 

I was deeply saddened to read of Gary's passing. I feel indebted to Gary for offering us so many wonderful opportunities to see and hear great music up close and personal. My most recent visit to the Birchmere was for Leo Kotke in December. I brought along my copy of All Roads and Gary graciously found time during the evening to speak to me and sign my book. He was so personable. Of course I had no idea that he would pass from us so soon afterwards. He will be greatly missed but I hope the Birchmere continues indefinitely. He gave us an iconic venue for so many years. Thank you Gary - Jim Nagle.

Oh my goodness...Sending my condolences to the family

I am so sorry to hear about Gary's passing.  I really did not know him but we shared a room at Alexandria Hospital in November.  My thoughts are with you Susan


I will miss seeing him at The Birchmere. I would say hey Gary and he would say hey guy. I think he knew thousands of people named guy! The impact he had on music and also on people's lives cannot be measured,  just by simply providing a place such as The Birchmere.  For me he helped grow and expand my love of music. He is now in an even better place organizing shows, calling out line numbers, and asking people politely to observe quiet while the performances are on the stage. May you rest in peace.

Thank you, Gary, for the many years of presenting so many artists and for making the Birchmere a musical home for them.  You will be missed but your spirit will live on every single night through the music at the Birchmere.    My sincere condolences to your family and friends.
Lynn Cingari
Wasserman Music

He will be missed he was always there happy and willing to greet you.  The Birchmere will not be the same with him not being there.

Love Rita

No one “called the numbers” better than Gary.
RIP


I just recently saw the sad news of Gary’s passing. I knew Gary (just to say “hi”) from more than 30 years and hundreds of great Birchmere shows and always saying “hello” (we had mutual friends and I tried to get Les Paul to come play the Birchmere).

The Birchmere is unique, special performances regularly happen when artists know they’re in a special place with special people.

Gary made the Birchmere such a place.  RIP.


You will be missed my good friend. My condolences to your family . 

                                                       Your good firend
                                                          Charles Rippitopen.com

My condolences to Mr. Oelze's family, friends, and employees. May God comfort them with the peace and grace that only he can provide. 

I never met Mr. Oelze personally. I only saw him in passing while attending events at the Birchmeier. However, I assumed he was the owner because of his attentiveness to ensuring things ran smoothly and efficiently. Such qualities are rare in business owners today. Im greatful to the venue he created and hope it remains. God rest his soul!  

Aric and Cheryl Arnold 

So much love for Gary and his establishment.  The Birchmere is and will always be my most favorite venue partly due to the way that Gary operated this business.  I won't say that he'll be missed because I will ALWAYS patronize the Birchmere in his memory - he will always be in my heart as part of my love for music.  The only thing that I will miss is seeing him drive by usually 2 hours earlier before the doors open at 5:00 in his shiny sports car.  Gary, I love you and respect what you stood for as you shared your love of music with the world through one of the most reputable venues, the Birchmere!

Sincerely, 
Angie
angielovinmusic@yahoo.com



If you don't have this book, now is a good time to add it to your shelf. 

He created a place where my neighbors and I could enjoy great music as well as each others company…The Birchmere is  real community builder. While we’ve lost Gary, I hope his legacy, manifested by The Birchmere, will burn bright for generations to come! 

Many many years have my Wife and myself had the pleasure of greeting and conversating with Gary at the Birchmere. ALWAYS took time to meet and greet with us on a personal basis...and we ALWAYS looked forward to seeing him.Will truly be missed...and our heart felt condolences to his FAMILY. In our Hearts  G-Man will never be forgotten...
RE-Re and Rodney Faulcon

Thanks Gary for all the memories and what you have done for the music industry and for the local Artist. May you rest in Peace(

W. Stephen Hill

I am so sorry the hear of his passing. I always look forward to seeing him when he would announced the numbers and greeting us. My deepest condolences to the Family & Birchmere Family 

It was my pleasure to met Mr. Gary. I am sad but I believe he is in paradise. My prayers are with the immediate family and our Birchmere family. ❤️

So sorry to hear.  My condolence to the family.   A lasting memory of him at the Birchmere.

So sorry for your loss, Mr. Gary was such a pleasant person and always  had a smile.  He always made sure the experience at the Birchmere  was a pleasure and joyful.  He will be greatly missed.

My sincerest condolences to Gary’s wife and family, especially Carrie and Cheryl who I worked with at the Birchmere back in the 1990’s.

Gary was a true visionary who opened the doors of success to many talented artists. He provided a magnificent venue for people to come and listen to those who performed on the Birchmere stage.

Most importantly, Gary hired the very best staff to assist him in running and managing the Birchmere, and all quickly became “family” to him and each other.

Gary’s loss is deeply felt by many, but the magic of the Birchmere he created will live on and Gary will always be fondly remembered especially by those who knew him. May you Rest In Peace , Gary.

Spent a few great nights at the Birchmere. Doc Watson, Tom Rush, Seldom Scene, etc. Thankful for his foresight. 

With eternal love,
Bob Dern, Liz Jones-Dern 


In remembrance of our dear friend, Gary.  
Love, Freddie Krc, Bob Livingston & John Inmon P/K/A The Gonzo Compadres


To my friend Susan and the family. I was privileged to know Gary, my friend and once spouse. We remained good friends throughout and I still to this day remember what a wonderful human being he really was,  and how many people he helped. May his heaven be the Filled with music. 
Georgia

Thinking of you and your family.  May you be at peace..  God bless your family.  Thank you for all those special years and the artists you brought home to all of us.  Forever in our hearts. 

 

It was an honor to know such a fine gentleman as Gary over the years, and a privilege to be a contributor to his and Steve’s book.  A favorite memory that is captured in the book is the time 40 years ago at the previous Birchmere when Gary let me in to Carl Perkins’ soundcheck, later spending 20 minutes or so chatting one-on-one with Carl.  Gary always said “I still don’t know why I let you in!”   RIP friend, I’ll always cherish the memories.

I always tried to thank Gary as I went through the line into the club.  Once I even had the pleasure of making him laugh out loud - when I told him I was glad he had 'rescued Robin Trower from Jaxx'.  I will miss him.

I had been going to the Birchmere since the late 1970s to hear bluegrass music when the club was still in Shirlington (I lived up the hill in Fairlington then). In 1984, after the club had moved to its larger location in Alexandria, I suggested to Gary that I help stock the record store that was in the basement since I was a record collector and had tons of albums available and he then had a fairly small stock of bluegrass albums. So from 1984 until 1997, until the club moved down the street to its current location, I had the record concession there. In the days before upcoming shows were listed online, Gary would show me his calendar book of upcoming acts and tell me about those he hoped to book. I then had time to acquire albums (and some CDs) to help stock the bins in the store. with ouf-of-print albums by artists performing there and many others. The "All Roads Lead to the Birchmere" book noted that I "ran" the record store. I never did -- it was a concession arrangement where the club took a percentage of the sales. Gary and I had a great relationship during those middle years. He knew I was a congressional reporter by day and we often talked politics -- and music. When he was about to move to the current location, he took me on a tour of the new building and talked about how much larger the record store would be there. However, in June 1997, as he was about to move, he said he was out-voted by his two co-owners who did not want to sell "used" product in the record store so that ended my connection to the club. Gary was a friend during those middle years and I will miss him. He ran an amazing club and I saw amazing musicians there over the years.

Our hearts are broken, rest in peace my friend.  Thank you for starting this venue and supporting all musicians.  You treated us like family..  We sure will miss you.  He was a special friend and supporter of Danny.  

Gary Oelze will be missed so much, he was an amazing, intelligent, and kind presence around the Birchmere.  I have known Gary since the 1980’s when the Birchmere was in it’s first location.  There used to be an open mic there that I would drop in at; that was the first time I met Gary.  Gary had my sister Megan Smith (The Smith Sisters) and I perform at the second Birchmere location - close to where it is now - for the release of our first album, Bluebird (The album featured Doc and Merle Watson, with whom we made some guest appearances at the Birchmere after that).  Gary’s third and current Birchmere is where I performed with The Four Bitchin’ Babes on many occasions, Tom Paxton, Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer, Pete Kennedy, The National Men’s Chorus, Al Petteway, Zan McLeod, Billy Kemp, Dave Chappell, Jim Robeson, Grace Griffith, Freida Epstein, Sue Richards, and others.  Gary would open his doors to so many musicians… the Birchmere became a real crossroads for so many of us to connect.  What a beautiful, wonderful venue.  When Gary was there — he always greeted us with a smile and a hug, and created an atmosphere of congeniality all around,  My husband Michael enjoyed working with him so much - we always felt very fortunate that Michael has been able to work at The Birchmere doing what he loved, and working with people like Gary Oelze.  Gary also let our son, Lee, use a room in the building Michael’s office is in for an art studio.  He was a very kind and generous soul.  Michael has many stories of his generosity - Gary was truly humble about his acts of kindness.  We will miss you Gary.  Sending love to you and your family, especially Susan, and many, many thanks.

I did not know Gary well, but the few times I had the privilege of meeting him he was a lovely, unassuming, man, who cared deeply for his wife and family. My heart goes out to Susan and the Oelze family. He will be remembered for the music he brought to all of us. Rest in peace
“Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.”
― Victor Hugo

Gary you will be sorely missed. Thank you for all the wonderful memories over the last 50 years plus . You always treated me and others like we were long lost friends every time we came through those doors. And you brought us the best music in the land. Love you brother , RIP.    

My sincere condolences and prayers for comfort are extended to Gary’s wife and family. He was Mr. hospitality. Gary always warmly greeted customers as we stood outside of the venue waiting to get in and while we waited to be seated in the concert hall.  I always thanked  him for bringing  the best in entertainment to The Birchmere and for having the nicest staff, great food & beverages. Many friendships were made at this venue. I finally purchased his book on 11/20/22. He wasn’t there to sign it. I kept it in my car in hopes of getting it autographed the next time I saw him. He will be missed. RIP Gary 

One of my best friends of knowing for over 20 years here in Northern Virginia. Thanks for all the great music and fun at the Birchmere 

Hamilton (Ham) Smith 

Gary Oelze was a generous kind man who was a true humble gentleman who will be truly missed by many.
God Bless his wife Susan and Family🙏
MJ Mcelwaney 

Just an incredible man, so nice to everyone. Always a pleasure shaking his hand and talk for a few minutes. I'm still in shock and speechless.

God Bless You Gary!


Craig Myers

Heartfelt condolences to the Oelze family.  Especially to Cheryl, my classmate.   RIP Mr Oelze.

OBITUARY

Gary Oelze

August 24, 1942 – January 23, 2023

Demaine Funeral Home

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