We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Randy Brumley a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Randy , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I was six years old, I remember because I could read. I read the Joke Box or the Riddle Box every day in The Tulsa Tribune. Cracker Jack prizes were also a good source of material. I loved making people laugh and jokes were a hobby for me. Looking back most of my material would be classified as “dad jokes” now. My dad played music on many weekends with the whole family on the road sometimes. One night Dad was singing some songs with Ted Creekmore and his band at a rather large (it seemed to me at the time) theater. There were curtains, backstage, spotlights and the whole bit. The crowds for country music back in those days were large. I was wandering around backstage that night and I kept pestering Ted with a request to come on stage and tell a joke. I can’t pinpoint what exactly it was that made me want to get up there and do it. To this day I still don’t quite understand why I like to get in front of people. I feel like it’s the only place I can truly be myself for a little while. I did have a fascination with microphones too. I remember singing at Grandma Georgia’s with my sister and I didn’t want to sing without a microphone. Grandma gave me her heating pad control once and told me it was a mic. I played along. Midway through the show I wore Ted down and he let me get on stage. I was a well behaved kid but if I decided I wanted something I could be very strong willed. Ted went to the mic and addressed the audience “We have a little boy back here that really wants to tell you a joke he’s been bugging me all night, So, let’s bring him out here – Randy Brumley.” I was an instant hit because I was six. He lowered the microphone for me. I noticed it was quite a different feeling when you’re behind the mic and on the stage. Time seems to stand still. There’s a feeling of being magnified in time and space. The words I memorized seem so much more intense and vulnerable now. I managed to maintain my six year old cool and tell my joke and get a good taste of what facing a crowd was like. Six years old and already overcoming the fabled number one fear of most people – public speaking. Ted came up to the mic again to get me another round of applause – expecting my bit to end. “I want to tell another joke.” I piped, which got a good laugh from the audience of its own (because I was six years old.) I told my other joke and scored more adulation from the crowd. I remember one of the jokes it goes something like: A man was putting a saddle on his horse backwards. A fella told him “You’re putting that saddle on backwards.” and the man replied “Which way do you think I intend to ride?” I don’t remember the other joke. Perhaps it will come to me. This moment began to define me as an entertainer. More moments like this were to come.

I was about 21 years old and I was at a gathering of friends with my friend John Anderson (Not that John Anderson) hosted by Copper, a friend who hung out with our band The Shades. The apartment was filled with acquaintances and strangers for some kind of occasion or just as likely a gathering for gathering’s sake. There were probably at least 30 people attending. Not much was happening, it was pretty quiet, no music, just an awkwardness you feel when the ice hasn’t been broken yet. I noticed a guitar leaning on the wall with one string on it. It was calling my name, the poor thing was neglected. Hey, a one string guitar eliminates five other choices and simplifies things. With no thought at all, I picked the guitar up and began playing a song and singing to the amusement of the whole room. I played several songs, dancing around a little the whole time. The room was full of laughter now! I was committed to the moment, the song and the voice I had in me. I was lit up and so became the room and everyone in it. It was pure joy! A year or so later John and I ran into Copper, he was with a girl that was at the party, I don’t remember her name but when she saw me she exclaimed “You’re the guy that sang and played the guitar with one string on it!” We all laughed…

Randy , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I like to say that I make music that comforts you and energizes you in the same instance. Blending the soulful traditions of rock, soul, country, folk and jazz, my learning process has been organic. I was born in Tulsa, OK to a family steeped in the local country music scene, my musical path seemed to begin before I was born by hearing the sounds of my family’s traditional country music and my mother’s beautiful singing through the womb. My dad placed a guitar in my lap at the tender age of four and my older brother led me into the world of songwriting. It was a rich time to experience music growing up in the 60’s and 70’s — the country influence of my soulful family, witnessing The Beatles/British Invasion, the uplifting Motown sounds and the folk sounds of Peter Paul & Mary were soaked up like a sponge into my soul. First performing with my sister at the age of six, I have shared the stage with many renowned musicians in bands as well as performing solo. I once performed David Crosby’s song “Almost Cut My Hair” unaware that Mr. Crosby himself was in the audience grinning ear to ear! I was a founding member of Square Force, one of Tulsa’s most celebrated original New Wave bands, performing regionally throughout the 80’s. I have always stayed true to my roots while forging new creative paths – producing inspired melodies, grooves and lyrics that make you think, feel and rejoice.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative is the wholeness of spirit. When your faculties come together to aid in a creation it’s a beautiful thing to experience. It establishes your soul and the by-product is joy. A song comes to you maybe it just leaks in your being by a chord you play or a word or a melody you hear internally.. It takes you on a journey inviting you to find the answers to this creative puzzle you happen upon. It may be a simple song that is finished in an instant or it may be a new idea that will take a long time to develop. The journey is the joy.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I was about 21 years old and I was at a gathering of friends with my friend John Anderson (Not that John Anderson) hosted by Copper, a friend who hung out with our band The Shades. The apartment was filled with acquaintances and strangers for some kind of occasion or just as likely a gathering for gathering’s sake. There were probably at least 30 people attending. Not much was happening, it was pretty quiet, no music, just an awkwardness you feel when the ice hasn’t been broken yet. I noticed a guitar leaning on the wall with one string on it. It was calling my name, the poor thing was neglected. Hey, a one string guitar eliminates five other choices and simplifies things. With no thought at all, I picked the guitar up and began playing a song and singing to the amusement of the whole room. I played several songs, dancing around a little the whole time. The room was full of laughter now! I was committed to the moment, the song and the voice I had in me. I was lit up and so became the room and everyone in it. It was pure joy! A year or so later John and I ran into Copper, he was with a girl that was at the party, I don’t remember her name but when she saw me she exclaimed “You’re the guy that sang and played the guitar with one string on it!” We all laughed…

Contact Info:

• Website: www.randybrumley.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/randy_brumley_music/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brumleymusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjZQhz5eRitT2ENmNMA6yrw

Image Credits
All shots were by me. Angie Brumley, my wife shot the live performance. The sunbeam photo is credited to Steve Arrowood. The two professional shots were by Curtis Sprague