Dwight Hobbes: "How Music Got Involved in Me"

Featured Artist:  School's Open
Venue:               School II
Date:                 Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Time:                 7:00pm

What does one say about a man who sets the phone down sixty seconds into an initial phone call with a woman, walks away and bellows expletives so loudly her posture improves and her eyes widen with apprehension, then returns to the phone becoming instantly disimpassioned claiming there are "worse things in life than burning your rice,"  and chuckles?  One would say Dwight Hobbes is a man worth venturing out on a mid-week evening in December to meet.

Hobbes is a singer/songwriter, writer, playwright, public speaker, and the list goes on.  He moved to Minnesota from New York City in the mid-80's seeking employment opportunities.  Finding secretarial work through Kelly Temp Agency, Hobbes wound up paving the way for male "Kelly Girls" across the region.  This was no small feat and Hobbes remains quite proud of his accomplishment.  He enjoys the memory of reporting to assignments and seeing surprised business men's faces who were expecting someone with, let's say, softer qualities.  Along with the ability to change the face of the secretarial pool, Hobbes brought with him the ability to entertain.

When asked how he became involved in music, Hobbes replies, "the question is not how I got involved in music, it's how music got involved in me."  Hobbes' interest in writing lyrics peaked after hearing songs such as "Mr. Tambourine Man" and "The Times They Are A-Changing."  He became enthralled with the manner in which Bob Dylan would craft words into song.  It was unlike anything Hobbes had imagined.  Years later, the likes of Bob Dylan, Smokey Robinson, Jefferson Airplane, and The Byrds remain Hobbes' chief influences.  These remain unchanged to Hobbes because although the mind's ideas come and go, his writing comes from the gut and so remain timeless.

Hobbes also enjoys taking advantage of live performances.  A connection to his audience (be it two, twenty, or two hundred) is an accomplishment for which Hobbes strives each time he is on stage.  He believes performing live can grow a performer and strengthens musical chops.  Hobbes thrives on the nervous adrenaline and excitement he feels before a performance and hopes he never sees the day when he is unaffected by nerves.  His connection with his audience is not about complacency.  He believes a musician must "get out and have the humility to hope you reach them, put your ability behind it, and pray it works!"

As far as could be determined from a response, Hobbes' favorite color is laughter.

Hobbes requests a special "thank you" to Jazzy J.  Without him, Hobbes would not have connected with MJ Kroll, and would not be scheduled to perform at School's Out Open Mic as a featured performer.

Find out more about Dwight Hobbes