Over the course of his expansive career, singer, guitarist and Durango resident Tim Sullivan has played in venues all over the world, but says he relishes an opportunity to play a show near home.
Sullivan especially loves an opportunity to get the crowd dancing, something he and his band plan to do on Saturday Jan. 31 at the American Legion Hall in Cortez.
“I’m a singer-songwriter … I just toured Ireland and Australia, and I’ve played all over the world, but when I’m back in town, I love playing with my dance band,” said Sullivan. “I love to dance, personally, so I know what dancers like to dance to.”
Sullivan says he and his three-piece will be playing every tempo from two-step to waltz. He and his two bandmates – drummer Mike Owen and bassist Bill Boyer – met in California, but all reside in Durango.
“They are great musicians that love living in this area,” said Sullivan.
Oklahoma-born, Sullivan began performing gospel concerts with his seven brothers and sisters at the age of 6. As a teenager, Sullivan formed his first band, which was named one of the ten best bands in America in a national “battle-of-the-bands” competition. After graduating from Oklahoma University, where he attended on a baseball scholarship, Sullivan moved to Los Angeles to pursue his music career.
Sullivan has performed with Vince Gill, Willie Nelson, Alan Jackson, Tammy Wynette, and Glen Campbell.
Played venues across the country from The Crazy Horse in Los Angeles to Town Hall on Broadway in New York City. Sullivan and his band, Narrow Gauge, have been featured at the Olympic Equestrian Center in Sydney, Australia and also at the World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky. Sullivan and his family have performed in concert at Carnegie Hall four different times.
Sullivan won Massachusetts Songwriter of the Year Award for his song “Dance in the Rain” and co-wrote the theme song for the 2003 Boston Red Sox “Cowboy Up.” He also a one-man-musical called “Diary of a Songwriter” that he has performed across the country and off-Broadway.
“I love doing local shows…I know everybody, which makes it fun,” he said.
Tickets to see Tim Sullivan and his band at the American Legion Hall in Cortez on Jan. 31 are available in advance by calling 970-565-8151. The cover charge is $7.