Meet Mick Tinsley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mick Tinsley.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Mick. So, let’s start at the beginning, and we can move on from there.
I started playing guitar at the ripe old age of 8. I come from a musical family, so music was always around. Of course, I had a few garage bands when I was really young. When I was 17, I was asked to join a touring rock band. We played mostly covers in the early years, but then grew into writing our own songs.

That band developed into four piece kind of groove rock band called Ice Cold July. We recorded a record in 1993 on Sector II Records and toured for a couple of years supporting it. As most bands do, we dissolved and moved on. In 1998, I moved to Los Angeles and helped form a funky-soul band called Jones. We did well in LA and even got to tour a bit on the Warped Tour.

As Jones was beginning to unravel, around 2003, I decided it was time to take my shot at being a solo artist. The beginning was rough, but I knew I had something to say. Over time I found my own voice in singing and songwriting. I came back to Dallas at the end of 2004 and started getting my feet under me in the music scene here. In 2014, I recorded a record titled “Common Man.”

Just about the time I was finishing that record, a friend asked if I would compete in the 2014 Rusty Weir Songwriting competition. I was able to make it through all the elimination rounds, and won! I’m really grateful for that “nod” from some of my peers. Lately, I’m working on songs for a new record that I will get done in 2019. The next record will be much more blues and soul oriented, compared to what I’ve done in the past.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Being an artist, regardless of your medium, is never a smooth road. We do what we do for the love of it, but also for the need of it. We need to create. Period. Sometimes we deal with elements that can distract you, or throw you off your path. Most of the time learning those hard lessons will produce something new within your creation, and it was all worth it, ya know?

We’d love to hear more about what you do.
I guess I’ve always been known as a guitar player, but in the last five+ years, I’m known as a singer/songwriter.

What were you like growing up?
I had a shy side to me when I was a little boy. And truthfully, learning to play music was a huge part of me coming out of my shell. I was really into BMX bikes, played sports for a while, loved to get out in nature and get dirty. Pretty normal kid stuff. I was always into music though.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.micktinsleymusic.com
• Email: mtinsleyjr@gmail.com
• Instagram: @mick_tinsley
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/micktinsleymusic
• Twitter: @mick_tinsley

Image Credit:
Mick Tinsley, Denise Tracy, Raf Winterpacht, Mary Jane Farmer

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