Jimmy Warner became interested in music as a medium to entertain when he was 13 years old. He plays the electric guitar in his five-piece band, but he described himself as more of an entertainer. on May 30, he’ll be doing both as he, Gatlin and Kelly Vaughn kick off the Downtown Mansfield Incorporated (DMI) Concert Series.
Downtown Mansfield Incorporated is hosting the eighth annual DMI Concert Series this summer. The concerts will take place in The Brickyard at 24 Temple Court in Mansfield on the stage, and will kick off the season on May 30.
Each final Friday of the summer months feature live music from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The concerts are free and open to the public. DMI Co-Director Jamie Thompson said, “It’s a good way to build community. And it’s a great place to watch people playing outside and a good way to see the Carrousel District.”
Other performers include Agent Whiskey, The Devault Ridge Band and The Caffiends on June 27; Narrow/Arrow, EYE, and The Up All Nights on July 25; Sy’Velt Ft. Elec Simon complete the series on Aug. 29.
Warner’s band is comprised of Jeremy Gessner (rhythm guitar), Tom Shields (keyboard), Adam Hansen (drums), and Fred Anderson (bass). On the May 30th concert, however, Max Dotson will likely fill in on drums for the band. Max Dotson and his brother Nick Dotson (bass) often fill in when needed.
“I went out of state for college, flunked out after the first semester and came back and had this big like, ‘what am I doing’ moment. I remember it was a late night when I watched on PBS a little clip of Eric Clapton playing “Crossroads” and remember thinking, ‘I gotta do that.’ This was something I was born to do,” said Warner.
His band covers some songs that fit a variety of genres like classic rock, and country rock. However, recently they just finished recording an EP called “What I Know,” and will be released on May 30. The album aims to get across a message of truth, and touches on Warner’s vulnerability.
“There’s a lot I have no idea about, and there are a few things that I am absolutely sure of. There’s a song called “No Compromise” that basically says ‘I know what I believe and I’m not going to compromise on that – it (the album) kinda has that feeling to it,” explained Warner.
Warner says he wants people to feel content when listening to his songs. His two most significant influences are Eagles and Bob Seger. Much like his influences, Jimmy Warner’s band highlights themes of the simple pleasures found in nature.
For more information and tour dates on Jimmy Warner and his band, visit their website. For more information on the DMI Concert Series that starts on Friday, May 30 at 5 p.m., click here.
