You are probably asking “What on earth is a Manualist!?!” well, I decided to look it up on good ol’ reliable Wikipedia.

“Manualism is the little-known art of playing music by squeezing air through the hands. Because the sound produced has a distinctly flatulent tone, such music is usually presented as a form of musical comedy or parody. The musical performer is called manualist, who may perform a cappella or with instrumental accompaniment.”

Wikipedia – Manualism (hand music)

I am also going to tell you a little story about how I found out about this amazing man. On British TV there is a program on Channel 4 called Rude Tube, which is basically a compilation of popular You Tube videos. I cannot remember what position he was, but he was very high and I thought to myself “wow, someone that has become THAT popular just because of their hands has to be classed as successfull… I had emailed him before the clip was over! Don’t forget to go to his YouTube channel, Gunecologist, which has over 150 videos with some having millions of visits per video! So without further ado here is the great manualist, Gerry Philips!

Firstly, could you please tell us about yourself?
I’m 49 years old. I live in troy, Michigan. I’m married 13 years to liz from new Zealand. I have 2 stepsons. Scott and tim and a shi-tzu named jake. I own a gunshop in Waterford, Michigan. That is where the name gunecologist came from.

What did you want to be, during your childhood, when “you grow up”?

I wanted to be a professional manualist. I ended up working in the family business.

How has being able to play music on your hands affected your life and did you ever believe that it would have that affect?

When I was 9 years old I thought I invented playing songs on the hands until 5 years later when I saw a man named john twomey on the tonight show with Johnny Carson play stars and stripes forever. That was also the first time I heard the term manualist, which means “one who works with his hands”. When youtube became popular , I thought I would put a video or two on and see what happened. I never expected I would have 18 million views. It has sent me around the world making commercials and performing on tv shows. So, yes it has enhanced my life.

How would you describe your lifestyle?

I work 10-12 hours a day. 6 day a week. I don’t have much time for any lifestyle. When I get gigs is the only time I get away and it’s harder than working my regular job. Especially the travel.

Did you put any effort into getting so popular on YouTube (with loads of videos getting over 50 thousand hits and some with more than a few million!)? If so, what did you do? If not, how did it happen?

I put more effort than you can imagine into the videos. Learning the songs note for note sometimes takes weeks of listening to the song over and over in the car. Then play it live for a camera without making too many mistakes. I always thought there were songs I just couldn’t play because they were too hard, or I didn’t have the speed or the notes were too long. I have figured out ways to do these songs. 10 years ago, if you asked me to play the green hornet theme or classical gas or the star wars cantina band song I would have said it’s impossible. Now anything is possible

I first saw what you do on Rude Tube, a TV program on Channel 4; do you often get a lot of media attention (such as TV, Newspapers, and the Internet)?

Yes, at one time I was doing 3 interviews a day by phone to radio shows around the world. Lots of magazines newspapers and tv. The internet is the biggest.

Have you been able to make money from YouTube and your ability to make music with your hands?

Yes. But, I don’t make money from youtube. All money has been from live performances and tv shows.

If you could go back and change one thing in your past, what would it be?

Nothing, I have done everything I wanted to do and more.

Do you think you would have been able to be so popular if it was not for YouTube and the internet?

No.

Could you please describe your personal definition of the word “Success”?

When the musicians who wrote and performed the songs I love are watching my videos and telling me how good they are. Examples: brian may, guns and roses, Ronnie Montrose and the california guitar trio.

What plans do you have the future?

On the 21st of this month (Novemeber 2009) I am the celebrity guest star at a charity event for 90 charities in ohio. They are expecting 4000 people. I am honored to be asked.

If there was just one thing that you would like people to remember about you, what would it be?

That I was a musician. Not just a guy who farted with his hands.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thank you!

Thank you very much Gerry. I hope you all liked the inteview, I shall now leave you with some of his most popular videos.

And for those of you that want to be able to do this yourself…