August 2005

FS:  How did you end up becoming a singer and guitarist?  ... I see here that you also play trumpet, mandolin, banjo and harmonica.

Dennis Tibbits:  "If ever there was a case of musical talent being in a person's genes, I guess it would be me.  My great-grandfather was a music teacher in Indian Territory days and the early days of Oklahoma statehood, travelling around by horse and buggy, giving music lessons.  My grandfather was a gospel singer-- that's how he met my grandmother.  She and her sisters went to hear my grandfather and his quartet sing.  They met, starting 'courting' and eventually married.  Then I guess the music gene skipped my mother's generation. 

My grandfather gave me a guitar when I was eleven years old.  He was delighted that I showed a keen interest in playing.  I think he must have known that some day I would carry on the family tradition.  He passed away shortly after that time, but I have a feeling that he's still watching and listening... and smiling.

FS:  Your bio says that you have been performing music professionally for 28 years.  How old were you when you began ?

Dennis Tibbits:  I started performing at events when I was in high school at age 17.  Most of my experience has been playing in Southern Rock and Country bands in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Texas. 

I've been very fortunate to have the opportunity to perform with some extremely talented and versatile musicians. 

I've generally  sought out other musicians and played in bands with a proven ability to play both rock and country-- and do each style well.  In our view, nothing was worse than a rock band struggling to play country or vice versa. 

I performed with Southern Comfort in the 1980s and with Southern Reign in the 1990s. 

These were two high-energy, hard-driving bands with emphasis on overall entertainment value as well as musical variety in our shows.

We used a lot of visual gags and always seemed to have something going on to keep the audience's interest.

We really had some great experiences.  Then a few years back I sort of retired professionally.  You know... burnout.  Musicians will tell you... but they'll also tell you that once performing gets in your blood, you can never seem to live without it. 

So I returned to professional music when lead guitarist Scott Lawrence and I formed Easy Money in 2002.  Scott is just a phenomenal musician.  He can do things with a guitar that most pickers only dream about.  Easy Money was a classic rock/country cover band. 

Then I joined Scott, who  was searching out the best and most versatile musicians for the sound of The Holistix.  The Holistix is focused on a distinctive sound, with heavy jazz/blues influence and some really awesome original material.  This entire group is extremely talented, and our repertoire is incredibly broad.

And here I am.  It's been a fun ride, and as they say, "It ain't over yet!"  I just wake up every day and its better than ever before!   

Copyright 2005