One Lucky Bastard

This is a story of the author's attempt to solve the mystery of his beginnings and his efforts to find a purpose in life. This memoir was originally intended only for his loved ones. As he wrote about his life, family, good fortune, challenges, and emotional turmoil, Gary decided he wanted to share all of this with anyone who might be interested. This published memoir, "One Lucky Bastard," is the result.

Along life's path, Gary L. Coleman had three careers, three wives, and three children. Gary's first career was as a public-school music teacher for five years. His next career, which spanned thirty-seven years, was as a studio musician. Gary was a percussionist who, as one of the early members of the Wrecking Crew and a Motown musician, was fortunate to have worked with hundreds of the most famous artists and acts of the sixties and seventies. During the eighties and nineties, Gary worked on many of the most beloved TV shows of the time. Beginning in the nineties, he worked in film for one of the most respected composers of the day. The 60s and 70s were filled with fun and excitement, but also chaos and grief for many due to addiction. Gary emerged from that era having experienced his own challenges and internal turmoil. Because he subsequently found healing and a new way of living, Gary wanted to find a way that he might be of help to those who, like himself, were encountering challenges and inner turmoil in their lives. In 1988, he returned to college, received his master's degree in clinical psychology, and embarked on his career as a psychotherapist. For the following twelve years, he led a "dual profession" life until retiring from music in 2001 to become a full-time psychotherapist.

Gary L. Coleman worked in education, music, and psychotherapy before beginning his journey as an author. He has a master's degree in clinical psychology, and is currently a full-time psychotherapist.