– Bass Guitar –
Phil Friend was born outside of Detroit and relocated to Arlington Texas where he still lives today. He was exposed to choral music from the time he was a small child. His mom was a children’s choir teacher at church and always sang around the house. He started piano lessons at age five and played tuba in 7th grade, but was deterred by teachers and programs that didn’t inspire his talent.
Friend became a traveling chef after high school and worked on fishing boats in Alaska. In his early 20s, his roommates talked him into buying a $100 bass from a pawn shop. He learned to play 12-bar blues and knew right away that he never wanted to do anything else again.
His musical tastes expanded to hard rock in the 80s, but he was most influenced by blues artists like Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, Howlin’ Wolf, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Willie Dixon, and Jimmy Reed. With the Rolling Stones and the Beatles in the background, he also developed an affinity for jazz.
Friend’s appreciation for the band Chicago came through his musical studies. He signed up for classes at Tarrant County Community College to become a better bass player. He continued to study at the University of Texas Arlington and the University of North Texas Denton, completing a Bachelor’s and a Master’s in Music Education. He has been traveling the world playing music ever since.
“My early teachers could not have been more wrong,” said Friend, who just wrapped up his 18th year teaching music at Arlington ISD. He believes that every person has artistic talent. It’s simply a matter of having the right teacher and the right tools.
His first big gigs were on tour with Fort Worth blues legends U.P. Willson and Robert Ealey when he was 26.
“I have played jazz, blues, big band, country, western, orchestral, church, children’s choir, and performed over 70 different musicals at most theaters in the DFW metroplex. I love playing music for people, regardless of what kind of music it is.
Phil joined Chicago Tribute Authority Texas 10 years ago when the band was first forming, and still maintains a regular spot between other gigs and commitments.
“The configuration of the band now is the strongest it has ever been, and the singers are fantastic. That makes this band and this kind of music very fun to play, and the audience always responds with a lot of love,” said Friend.