David Tribble

What got you started?

My love for guitar and music was delayed, I was too busy being a kid, running around creeks and riding my bike around the neighbourhood.  No time to sit still. But life grew on me and shaped me as walls would crumble and cracks would start to appear. I needed a way to express my array of emotions and I was able to write them down and push my heart through a pen and a few chords on the guitar.

At around 18yrs old, with help of an old beginner guitar book I found laying around my moms house, the journey began. I have not stopped and life is still growing on me as a husband and father now...and I’ve picked up a few more chords along the way too. I am a scrappy kind of player, not much technical training but a lot of experience from leading in churches to playing festivals and literally everything in between!

What has changed since you started out?

Learning who I am as an artist, what resonates with me and how I’m able to connect with a song or a lyric by my own devices and scrappy approach for the last decade. Writing songs with no agenda in mind, relaying my thoughts as organic as I can, This process changes and sometimes it hard to find the end, but that’s what’s so great about music!  It doesn’t belong in a box!  

I’ve grown to love and understand more and more as I continue down the path, finding meaningful creativity wedged between a day job and a family to support.   But as a sinner saved by grace I pursue the passion I have for music in me to make a difference and reach people. That is a big deal to me!  

What has been the biggest surprise/lesson along the way?

The fact that I’m older than most of the artists I know, but still working to find my place within the ebb and flow by the music I bring to the table. Yeah, I’ve released a few songs, but I’m learning the business side of things too.  Honestly, feel like I’m just getting started!  

What would you do if you were not doing this/making music?

If I wasn’t making music I’d probably be coaching, I’m a full time teacher now but I also coached sports for 14 years. I see my students around town, older, much easier to talk to and trying to find out where they are headed in this world, which is not the NBA or NFL. I still encourage them and it was a blessing to be a small part of their journey. They say “I still remember when you played the guitar in class”.  Yep, that was me!

Do you have advice for other musicians?

My advice to other musicians would be to not abuse the opportunity to write songs and play music, don’t trash it, don’t waste it. Have fun but be intentional and humble and true to yourself. Pray about everything and stay busy. And make a connection with your audience. How you do that? Well, I’m not the expert, but don’t stop trying! Use all your tools in the tool box. We have a lot of them within our reach.  

What did Tribe of Noise contribute to your life as a musician?

Tribe of Noise is great and I have royalties coming in which is also great! I do want to say I’ve had great customer service and have always had contact with the heads of Tribe of Noise. They’ve been very encouraging and helpful to get my songs in stores in European areas.

What are you working on right now?

I released an EP called “Modern Day Urban Cowboy” in the fall of 2019.  This song and others on this Americana project were co-produced with Greg White, out of his state-of-the-art studio, SG Studio, just outside of Fort Worth TX. 

While writing and recording these songs, I was very inspired by my time living in Fort Worth TX, since 2005. From meeting my wife, playing music and recording albums to the pure joy of raising two girls now.  So many great people have entered my life here and music has always been the underlying heartbeat for me in this Funkytown, which has shown great support for local musicians like me, even the Mayor herself, Betsy Price.