Band’s back together after 15 years
Published 12:00 am Thursday, July 20, 2017
A group of men who played music together in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s have put their band back together after 15 years for tonight’s July Jamz.
Just N Tyme, formerly known as Hy Tyme Band, got back together for the just for this event, band member Tripp Bass said.
“We still click,” Bass said. “We’ve had some really good practices and the chemistry is still good. We’re much better musicians than we were 15 years ago. We practiced five and a half hours and only took one break – we were just having a great time.”
Joining Bass are Greg Windham of Andalusia, Faron Brewer of Mobile, Paul Herring of Nashville, and Alan Waters of Level Plains. They’ll deliver a mix of classic country, Southern rock, along with some 70s favorites.
Most of the group began playing together in 1987. Bass first sat in when they needed a piano player in 1989.
“We did a lot of weddings, and we were on all the festival lists,’ Bass said. “We were so young then, we’d do a festival on Saturday afternoon and play somewhere Saturday night.”
Bass said the group had good connections and a good booking agent, two factors which combined to put them on the stage opening for many well-known musicians, including Gary Allen, Lee Greenwood, Exile, Alan Jackson, Shenandoah, Vern Gosdin, and Hank Williams Jr.
Windham actually recorded an album, and had several songs make the charts.
While life took the band members in separate directions, Bass and Windham have continued to play together and with other groups. Bass is a Realtor, Windham teaches at Straughn. Brewer is a retired forensic scientist who lives in Mobile. Herring is a contractor in Nashville who moonlights playing music on weekends. Waters retired after a career teaching ag at Enterprise High School, and led an FFA string band for many years.
Back in the day, Bass’s daughter, Clara Bass Mellown, would sometimes sing with them.
“The first time she ever sang, I think she was 10,” Bass said. She will join the group for at least three numbers tonight.
“Andalusia’s so fortunate to have an event like this that anyone can come to for free, for a whole month,” he said. “I know a lot of work goes into it, but a lot of people come out and have a really good time.”