Otis Gibbs

Paul Otis Gibbs III (b. Feb 1966) is an American alt-country singer-songwriter and podcaster who has independently released several albums since 2002.

Otis Gibbs
Otis Gibbs
Otis Gibbs
Background information
Birth namePaul Otis Gibbs III[1]
OriginWanamaker, Indiana
GenresFolk music
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter
Instrument(s)Guitar
Years active2002–present
LabelsWanamaker
Benchmark
Flat Earth
MembersThomm Jutz
Mark Fain
Paul Griffith
Amy Lashley
Websiteotisgibbs.com

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.[2]

Gibbs worked for over 10 years as a tree planter in Indiana, planting what he estimates to be over 7,000 trees.[3][4]

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.[5][6]

His 2014 album, Souvenirs of a Misspent Youth was 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 Independent wrote that there is a "authenticity and dedication in Gibbs' delivery which is somehow cleansing in its purity".[10]

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, Chris Shiflett (Foo Fighters), Marshall Crenshaw, Jim White, Delbert 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 Indianapolis, Indiana with his long-time partner Amy Lashley, a singer-songwriter and children's book author.[3]

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
2016 Mount Renraw Wanamaker
2020 Hoosier National Wanamaker

References
  1. "AIN T NOTHIN SPECIAL". ASCAP. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
  2. Matheson, Whitney (August 20, 2014). "Otis Gibbs: Man, can this singer tell a story ..." USA Today. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  3. Cornell, Rick (July 2, 2012). "Otis Gibbs: Interview Recap". Americana Music Show. Retrieved January 30, 2014.
  4. Joiner, James (August 13, 2014). "Exclusive: Listen to Otis Gibbs's New Album". Esquire. Retrieved September 4, 2014.
  5. Lewis, Randy (January 12, 2009). "Album review: Otis Gibbs' 'Grandpa Walked a Picketline'". Pop & Hiss The LA Times Music Blog. Retrieved July 9, 2010.
  6. Lankford Jr, Ronnie. "One Day Our Whispers". Allmusic. Retrieved July 9, 2010.
  7. Cooper, Peter (August 23, 2014). "Otis Gibbs remains East Nashville's unfiltered troubadour". The Tennessean. Retrieved September 4, 2014.
  8. Maclagan, Kirsty (May 9, 2009). "Folk singer Otis Gibbs comes to West Coker". Yeovil Express. Retrieved July 9, 2010.
  9. Jurgensen, John (May 30, 2008). "Songs With Something to Say; Rocker Billy Bragg on His Favorite 'Message Music'". Wall Street Journal. p. W.2.
  10. Gill, Andy (May 28, 2010). "Album: Otis Gibbs, Joe Hill's Ashes (Wanamaker)". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved July 9, 2010.
  11. Gibbs, Otis (July 22, 2013). "Souvenirs Of A Misspent Youth". Kickstarter. Retrieved January 30, 2014.
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