Adam Gaynor
As rhythm guitarist and background vocalist for super group Matchbox 20, Adam Gaynor experienced sky-rocket stardom as few musicians ever have. In addition, Adam is a successful and sought after producer, song writer and television/event host who has worked with some of the biggest names in entertainment.
Born in New York, Gaynor’s success has always been fueled by his passion for the entertainment business. Adam attended high school in South Florida, after which he spent a year at North Texas State University’s prestigious music program. Showing his diversity, Gaynor landed a job producing Sports content for Sports News Network in the early 90’s. Then he went back to his passion for music and started working for the world renowned Criteria Recording Studio in Miami which provided access to major music industry notables like R.E.M., Mariah Carey, Lenny Kravitz, Julio Iglesias and Collective Soul to name a few.
While at Criteria, Gaynor managed to immediately put his talents to work writing several Jingles for such brand’s as Gulfstream Racetrack and the Miami Heat. It was during that time that Adam landed his "dream job" when Collective Soul’s Grammy Award winning producer, Matt Serletic, ultimately would provide Gaynor his "big break".
Serletic asked if Adam would be interested in auditioning for a new band he was working with out of Orlando, Florida. They were ‘retooling’ to showcase for some major labels. That turned out to be the beginning of Matchbox 20. Gaynor became the rhythm guitarist and background vocalist for the soon-to-sky-rocket band. They were signed by music veteran Jason Flom’s Lava Records and eventually landed on the Infamous Atlantic Record’s label.
According to Billboard Magazine, for almost 10 years, Matchbox 20 was the most played band on radio. From 1995 to 2004, Matchbox 20 sold in excess of 25 million records, and played thousands of shows to millions of fans around the globe. The band also received three Grammy nominations, two American Music Nods, Earned a People’s Choice award, and won Rolling Stone Magazine’s Band of Year in 1998.
Gaynor has spoken on a NARAS Education panel and recently co-hosted Inside the Music Business ‘Strategies for Success’, an all-music genre seminar and showcase in Ft. Lauderdale. This gave him an opportunity to advise, motivate, privately critique and inspire the next generation of musicians and aspiring music business professionals.
He continues to be a part of the many charitable organizations with whom he affiliated with during his Matchbox 20 years including: the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Special Olympics, Rock Against Cancer and the Matchbox 20 Foundation which he co-founded.
Since his departure from the band in 2004, Gaynor recently moved to Southern California to begin the next chapter of his creative life. While also producing various musical artists, Adam is working on his other love, animation, and is developing some network shows and children’s books in the same field while continuing to enjoy his passion for hosting television and special events.