William Gentry

I grew up in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The location was barren as a child in contrast to the Oklahoma I have returned to over the years, but there were still many things to be offered in the arts, culture and history of Oklahoma. The influence of the people of Oklahoma City was probably the predominant feature that made me think the way I do and write the way I do. I grew up with artists, playwrights, healers, dreamers, martial arts superstars, gurus, Peruvian conga players, French teachers, Danish graphic designers, Israeli Christian Arab deli owners, helicopter pilots and rescue nurses and so many different kinds of people. I couldn't hope to list them all here, but I am so grateful for everything I have been able to learn from them.

There was much diversity in my childhood. My mother is a jazz singer, and my father is a chiropractor. My brother is an African American, which played a major part in my understanding of race. It was so important for my understanding of race that I couldn't hope to summarize it all here. My biological grandfathers were both writers. Byron Gentry wrote, "Miracles Of The Mind." It's a book about healing through focused meditation, among other things. He was also a chiropractor like my father. My grandfather on my mother's side was Bill Burchardt, who wrote a number of western novels including "Medicine Man," and "Black Marshall." He was also an honorary Kiowa Chief, a high school band leader and a newspaper editor. My friends in high school were all brilliant, literally. I grew up around musicians, scientists, new wave thinkers, German exchange students, and more people from all walks of life. I know I am shouting out to my homies, my oklahomies. All my love.