Jimmy Fulbright has rejoined the band on bass guitar. He has not only proven himself musically but he is also a great guy with a positive attitude and a hard work ethic. He is a joy to have on our stage. Perhaps even more importantly, he has fit right in (He already has a perfect Richard Sterban imitation down to a science. It is very funny.)
Months ago, I had a chance to sit down with Jimmy in Eugene, Oregon for a little impromptu interview:
Joe: Jimmy, welcome to The Oak Ridge Boys.
Jimmy: Well, it’s an honor to be here. There is only a hand full of acts that I would have come out with and you guys are certainly one of them.
Joe: How about the vitals man, where did you grow up, how old, married, etc.?
Jimmy: I grew up everywhere! I was raised Military — and as you know that means moving every three or four years of your life. My dad was in the Air Force for 22 years. However, most of my ancestry — all the way back to my great-great grandparents — is rooted deeply in North Carolina. I’m not married and I’m 37 years old.
Joe: Every musician must start somewhere, when did you first realize that music was important to you and that you possessed real talent?
Jimmy: With my family. As soon as I realized that I could play a song on the piano with the radio, I was hooked. I was about four years old and the song was Lean On Me. Man, I still remember it! My grandfather taught me how to play; he is one of the greatest influences on my life to this very day.
Joe: Tell us a bit about your musical history, who you have played for, etc.
Jimmy: I played in bars for years. (laugh) But as far as recognizable acts, I came to Nashville right out of high school and played with Donna Fargo and ironically, I played piano with Wally Fowler for about a year.
After that, I was with the Dixie Echoes for a while, doing Gospel. I sang and played keys for them for a few years and then my theater life started. Well, in between theater stints in Branson and Pigeon Forge, I played bass guitar for acts like T. Graham Brown and Earl Thomas Conley. In fact, when I was with T. we worked with the Oaks in Vegas at Bally’s. Man, that was a good show!
I want to mention that I played with Lee Greenwood at his theater for three years. I have a. lot of respect for Lee as a talent and as a leader. I learned a lot from him.
Joe: You play a great bass guitar as well as keyboards, what else can you do?
Jimmy: I play guitar and drums as well, but I don’t know if I would be hired professionally on those! I have been hired to play bass and piano about equally over the years. Singing has also always been very important to me. The Singing Fulbright Family pushed us kids up front to sing. (laughter)
Joe: What do you like to do in your down time?
Jimmy: I like to ride my bike a whole bunch and really, strangely enough, I am stuck to the drums. I like to practice my drums!!! I also play tennis. I was a champion in high school.
Joe: YES!! I can get my tennis game going again!
Jimmy: Bring it on man!
Joe: Is there a Jimmy Fulbright philosophy of life? Do you have a formula that you go by or are you just winging it?
Jimmy: I think it’s a combination of things, to be honest. Deep down, it’s always been that you work real hard at what you do — practice, practice, practice. You know, sometimes you plan and plan and it just doesn’t work out.
Sometimes you work real hard to stay on a path, you do the best you can. If you get knocked off that path, you just keep working hard — that’s when you have to wing it!
If things don’t go exactly as you planned, hopefully you are prepared to deal with it. For me, I stay up on bass and keys and keep on working. A lot of times my buddies are off doing something and I am practicing bass and keys — and also my drums!
Joe: What advice would you give to young people who admire your talent?
Jimmy: It comes down to how much you want to practice — that and having the courage to go out and test yourself. You have to be willing to get out of your hometown and test yourself if you really want to succeed in this business!
Joe: You have been with The Mighty Oaks Band for a couple of weeks now, what are your thoughts about this gig so far?
Jimmy: I love it! There were a lot of decisions I had to make before I came out here, but I have watched you guys for most of my life and it had a lot to do with who was in the band and the sentimental value of being with the Oaks! Like I said, there are less than a handful of acts that I would come out here with. It’s a thrill to get to play these songs, man!!
Joe: Thanks Jimmy. Let’s go Rock the House!!!