Songwriter and musician Shane Tubbs of Columbus has been singing all his life, but in public for only 10 years or so. His earliest outing on stage, other than church, was a Columbus Arts Council Open Mic program. Tubbs’ friend, Angie Basson, convinced him to sing a duet with her of “Red Clay Halo,” by Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings. Tubbs also delivered a novelty song that had the audience in stitches. The positive feedback led to more performances, and inspiration to continue developing musically. The journey has brought Tubbs to the release of a debut CD — “Welcome to the Show.”
The Shane Tubbs Band release concert and party is set for Friday, June 10 at the Columbus Arts Council’s Rosenzweig Arts Center at 501 Main St. The event begins at 7 p.m. with a meet-and-greet; music begins at 7:30 p.m.
“The first place Shane ever played in public was the arts council, so it’s great that we are able to bring this event back to them!” said Tubbs’ wife, Melissa. “The support we have gotten from them and so many others along the way has been great.”
“It’s been a privilege to watch Shane come into his own,” Basson said. “He definitely has a God-given talent to entertain.”
Tubbs describes the collection of nine original songs on the CD as “country with a rock edge and a dash of hillbilly, gospel and blues.” It was a year in the making. Tubbs’ influences are many, including Brad Paisley, Junior Brown and Johnny Cash, not to mention a mother who loved Patsy Cline and a father who followed classic rock from groups like Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Eagles.
The Shane Tubbs Band is made up of Tubbs on guitar and vocals, “Cornbread” Ed Swan on bass and Shonda “Shawty” Williams on drums. Produced by Kevin Waide of Aberdeen, “Welcome to the Show” also features Mississippi Jimmy Redd on keyboard, Larry Priest on guitar and banjo, Waide on guitar, and Rhonda Richardson on backup vocals.
“We think of all the Shane Tubbs Band as arts council family,” said CAC Program Manager Beverly Norris. “Shane performed at our very first open mic show years ago, and many times since. Bassist Ed Swan has performed at several of our programs over the years, and drummer Shonda was part of one of our Christmas concerts. It’s been great to see Shane progress over the years. He’s definitely got personality, and I think there’s no denying he was destined for the stage.”
How to go
Admission to the CD release concert and party is $5, which goes to the band. Advance tickets may be purchased at columbus-arts.org, or at the arts council (closed Mondays), or by calling 662-328-2787.
“We’ll have some light complimentary celebratin’ party food and sweet tea — while it lasts,” said Tubbs. Soft drinks and beer will be available for purchase.
CDs may be preordered at shanetubbs.com, googleplay and itunes. Follow the band on facebook.com/Shane-Tubbs-Band.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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