Thanks to
his parents' guidance and support,
Tim Mensy graduated from high school one year early,
allowing him to tour full-time. Tim's father at this
time led "The Family Band ' as they performed
throughout the East Coast and parts of Canada.
As the children grew, the band yielded to the
individual pursuits of its members. Tim's Dad returned
to his job
full-time, while his mother furthered her education
and began a career in electronics and Tim made plans to
go on the road.
Tim spent the next several months touring in road
bands, performing in clubs and hotel lounges all over
America. In September 1980, Tim decided he was ready to
realize his childhood dream and move to Nashville. While
playing in clubs in Nashville, Tim met Lonnie Wilson,
Jerry Johnston, Joe Van Dyke, and Jerry
Fox. They became Bandana, and soon signed a
record deal with Warner Bros. "The experiences of
Bandana were equivalent to a college degree in the real
music business," Tim says. "We learned about labels,
radio, promoters, managers, and the difference between
performing live, and recording in the studio. We opened
shows for Ronnie Milsap, Jerry Reed,
Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, George Jones,
Don Williams, and many others. We learned
invaluable lessons about music, and the business of
music." |
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Bandana with Loretta Lynn
(L to R: Lonnie Wilson, Jerry Fox. Loretta, Tim, Jerry Johnston and
Joe Van Dyke)
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Bandana backstage at the Opry with Roy Acuff
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Bandana with Tammy Wynette
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In 1985 Tim decided to
stop traveling, and concentrate on his family and songwriting.
"My wife, Brenda and I had just had our son, Timothy, and it seemed
like the perfect time to be at home with them, and concentrate on
the songwriting career I'd been trying to establish."
Tim signed as a songwriter to Combine Music Publishing,
where he was able to sing and play guitar on his own song demos, as
well as on the demos of other Combine writers. During this time, Tim
further developed skills of the recording process. In 1986, Tim had
his first hit as a songwriter when John Conlee released
Mama's Rocking Chair, which was also recorded by The
Whites. Tim went on to have many songs recorded, including hits
by Shenandoah (Mama Knows) and T.G. Sheppard
(She Didn't Break My Heart). |
Tim Accepting ASCAP Award for Mama
Knows
(L to R: Celia Hill-Froelig, Blake Chancey, Sam Raimage,
Marty Raybon, Tim, Mike McGuire, Connie Bradley and Ralph
Ezell) |
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