“If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him. We must never forget that art is not a form of propaganda, it is a form of truth.”
–John F. Kennedy
The quest for truth has been the underlying foundation of the work of Tim Dillinger, a multi-faceted artist: singer, songwriter, producer and poet.
Growing up as a “preacher’s kid” in St. Petersburg, Florida, he was reared on the sounds of black gospel music. Andraé Crouch, The Hawkins Family and Reba Rambo were the earliest influences, while contemporary Christian artists such as Amy Grant, Randy Stonehill and Leslie Phillips would become equally influential. The blend of these two very different forms of Christian music would take Tim on his own spiritual journey.
At the age of thirteen, Tim began singing in churches in the Tampa Bay area and was introduced to New Covenant Holiness Church, a congregation firmly rooted in the tradition of the black church. By the age of fifteen, Tim was immersed in the culture not only of the church, but also of the community. This transition brought Tim to a distinct awareness of race, culture, spirituality and sexuality.
Under the tutelage of his singing godmother, Tim sang in countless churches in the area, honing his craft as a vocalist, developing a reputation as a “church wrecker”. He was a rarity in the community: a white vocalist who could deliver traditional black gospel with an astounding conviction and authenticity.
Behind closed doors, he was also absorbing the R&B sounds of Teena Marie, Labelle and Chaka Khan, studying the literature of Ntozake Shange, James Baldwin and Nikki Giovanni and secretly writing songs and poems exploring his thoughts and questions.
From the age of 18 to 22, Tim traveled the state of Florida singing at revivals with Grammy Award nominated gospel artist Beverly Crawford, in addition to continuing to work in local churches as a worship leader in his Tampa Bay base.
Tim relocated to Nashville, Tennessee in 2001 and shortly thereafter re-evaluated his artistic path, making the decision to transition from gospel music to mainstream R&B/soul.
Tim became a part of the independent soul scene, releasing two critically acclaimed albums, Love Is On My Mind (2004) and The Muse (2006). Through these albums, he earned a #1 single on London’s Jazz FM, nominations from the Southern Entertainment Awards, SoulTracks.com’s Annual Readers Choice Awards, Nashville’s All The Rage Annual Music Awards and was the recipient of the 2007 SOBO Magazine Music Award.
His music has also been lauded nationally and internationally by Urban Network Magazine, Blues & Soul Magazine and Colorlines Magazine in addition to every press outlet in Nashville.
Tim has had the opportunity to record and/or perform with legendary artists including Grammy and Dove Award winning gospel legend, Daryl Coley, Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter Reba Rambo-McGuire, Dove Award nominated singer/songwriter Pam Mark Hall and indie soul and hip-hop notables including Frank McComb, Kloud 9, Tim’m West & Juba Kalamka.
For almost two years Tim hosted a internet radio show on Jazz Syndicate Radio, Out the Box with Tim Dillinger, which enabled him to blend his love of a diverse range of music with the cultural and social issues that are near and dear to his heart. His roster of guests included Bishop Yvette Flunder, poet Nikki Giovanni, gospel empress Tramaine Hawkins, jazz legend Jimmy Scott and a host of others. He was also, simultaneously, a co-host on Freestyle with Ron Wynn on WFSK, the historic Fisk University’s radio station, further expanding his skills as a communicator outside of his artistry. During this time he also self-published his first book, a collection of essays, poems and journal entries entitled: Snapshots.
In 2009, Tim moved to New York after almost a decade in Nashville. In this new chapter, he formed the male trio, SOULKISS, comprised of Tim, Kare Alford & David Sosa. They immediately began selling out venues in the city, such as The Triad, The Duplex and Don’t Tell Mama’s. Booking a summer tour, they performed with former Supreme and accomplished songwriter, Susaye Greene, singer/songwriter Patsy Moore, Bay area legend Charlene Moore and have received praise as “the male Labelle” from Labelle member, Sarah Dash They are currently working on their first album due for release in Fall 2010.
In the fall of 2009, Tim sojourned to Nashville with author Elizabeth Cunningham for his first experience as a co-producer of a project other than his own. Tim describes the experience as “the most significant experience I’ve ever had in a studio”. The result is Maevensong, a collection of songs culled from and inspired by her series of novels, The Maeve Chronicles.
He is also working on his second book, a collection of stories inspired by his journey as a person of faith who often finds himself coloring outside of the lines that organized religion tends to demand one live inside. A companion CD will be simultaneously released: contemporary Christian songs from his childhood that shaped his theology.
“For the first time, I’m seeing how the worlds I’ve walked between can blend together…I’m more interested in seeing people from every walk, faith, culture, race and experience come together than I am in participating in any given industry. To see people find their oneness with each other in a 90 minute concert, 80 minute CD or through a blog post has been the most magical experience. That is the truth that I hope ‘the work’ continues to bring forth. It’s been quite a journey, but I’ve finally found the truth and purpose behind my life’s work.”