Otis Gibbs

Otis Gibbs

Otis Gibbs
Background information
Origin Wanamaker, Indiana
Genres Folk music
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter
Instruments Guitar
Years active 2002-present
Labels Wanamaker
Benchmark
Flat Earth
Website otisgibbs.com
Members Thomm Jutz
Mark Fain
Paul Griffith
Amy Lashley

Otis Gibbs is an American alt-country singer-songwriter and podcaster who has independently released several albums since 2002.

Biography

Gibbs was raised in Wanamaker, Indiana, a neighborhood on the outskirts of Indianapolis. He recalls being introduced to the music industry at an early age, when a friend of his aunt's that was supposed to be babysitting him would take him to a nearby saloon to earn money by singing while he played the piano.[1]

Gibbs worked for over 10 years as a tree planter in Indiana, planting what he estimates to be over 7,000 trees.[2][3]

Music career

SXSW 2009: Jovita's, Austin, TX
March 21, 2009 (Twangfest party)

Gibbs' songs feature stories about every day life. He has been compared to Woody Guthrie, Tom T. Hall, Kris Kristofferson, and Townes Van Zandt.[4][5] The website Saving Country Music describes him as Gibbs a "storyteller’s storyteller" with an "independent spirit."[6]

His most recent album, "Souvenirs of a Misspent Youth" has been described as "his most pleasing, direct and artful work" by The Tennessean.[7] Alan Harrison of No Depression notes that "The Darker Side of Me" is the type of song that Johnny Cash would be interested in recording.[7]

Billy Bragg included Gibbs' song "The Peoples Day" in a list of "Top Five Songs with Something to Say", published in the Wall Street Journal.[8][9] Andy Gill of the The Independent wrote that there is a "authenticity and dedication in Gibbs' delivery which is somehow cleansing in its purity".[10]

Discography

Year Title Label
2002 49th and Melancholy Flat Earth Records
2003 Once I Dreamed of Christmas Benchmark
2004 One Day Our Whispers Benchmark
2008 Grandpa Walked a Picketline Wanamaker
2010 Joe Hill's Ashes Wanamaker
2012 Harder Than Hammered Hell Wanamaker
2014 Souvenirs of a Misspent Youth[11] Wanamaker

Other activities

Gibbs has recorded more than 100 podcasts under the title “Thanks for Giving a Damn” that consist of conversational interviews with musicians. Podcasts have included conversations with Mando Saenz, Ramsay Midwood, Jim White, Dilbert McClinton, and Amy Lashley. The podcast has been featured on iTunes’ “New And Noteworthy” and “What’s Hot” lists.[7]

Personal life

Gibbs lives in East Nashville, Tennessee with his long-time partner Amy Lashley, a singer-songwriter and children's book author.[2]

References

  1. ↑ Matheson, Whitney (August 20, 2014). "Otis Gibbs: Man, can this singer tell a story ...". USA Today. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  2. 1 2 Cornell, Rick (July 2, 2012). "Otis Gibbs: Interview Recap". Americana Music Show. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
  3. ↑ Joiner, James (13 August 2014). "Exclusive: Listen to Otis Gibbs's New Album". Esquire. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
  4. ↑ Lewis, Randy (12 January 2009). "Album review: Otis Gibbs' 'Grandpa Walked a Picketline'". Pop & Hiss The LA Times Music Blog. Retrieved 9 July 2010.
  5. ↑ Lankford Jr, Ronnie. "One Day Our Whispers". Allmusic. Retrieved 9 July 2010.
  6. ↑ Coroneos, Kyle "Trigger" (1 September 2014). "Otis Gibbs Shares His "Souvenirs of a Misspent Youth"". Saving Country Music. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
  7. 1 2 3 Cooper, Peter (August 23, 2014). "Otis Gibbs remains East Nashville's unfiltered troubadour". The Tennessean. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
  8. ↑ Maclagan, Kirsty (9 May 2009). "Folk singer Otis Gibbs comes to West Coker". Yeovil Express. Retrieved 9 July 2010.
  9. ↑ Jurgensen, John (30 May 2008). "Songs With Something to Say; Rocker Billy Bragg on His Favorite 'Message Music'". Wall Street Journal. p. W.2.
  10. ↑ Gill, Andy (28 May 2010). "Album: Otis Gibbs, Joe Hill's Ashes (Wanamaker)". The Independent. London. Retrieved 9 July 2010.
  11. ↑ Gibbs, Otis (July 22, 2013). "Souvenirs Of A Misspent Youth". Kickstarter. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
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