Thumb Bio's
"Thumb Folks" was officially formed in January, 2003. However, they had been playing and performing together at various times since December, 2001. They decided to form a trio to bring together their diverse musical backgrounds into a group that could deliver an eclectic blend of acoustic music for most any audience and, introduce them to various traditional musical styles.
Dean Barnett
Dean started playing guitar in 1965, influenced by the Beatles.
Guitar influences are Paul Simon, and James Taylor.
He worked his way through college one year playing bass guitar in a bar band.
His favorite songwriter is James Keelaghan, favorite singer is Gordon Lightfoot, songwriting influence Bob Dylan, favorite instrument is the 12-string guitar.
Earliest musical influences, the hillbilly living room sing-ins at his dad's cousin's house in Kentucky when he was 3 years old.
He started playing out in November of 2001 after a 10 year hiatus.
Musical goal, "keep playing with different people and groups before arthritis takes my hands completely".
Dean also plays with the group "Lost Cuzzins".
As a member of Thumb Folks, Dean sings lead and harmony vocals, plays lead 6 & 12 string Guitars, Lap Dulcimer and Mandolin.Email Dean: dean@thumbfolks.com
Tom Schlichting
Tom first sang solo in public while living in Ireland at the age of twelve.
His rendition of "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" nearly got him a part in the 7th grade musical there, but his atrocious Texas accent disqualified him from any speaking role.
The appreciation of his Irish mates gave him the confidence to walk into tryouts at his North Carolina Junior High the next year and he's been performing ever since.Tom sang in high school and college, did folk music solo acts, and spent three years with the early music group of the Dallas Symphony Chorus. Moving back to Michigan in 1992, he established the Celtic/American folk group "Ourselves" with his brother, Walt, and sister, Anne.
As a member of Thumb Folks, Tom sings lead and harmony vocals, plays rythym guitar, harmonica, dulcimer, bohdran and other occasional backup instruments. He also brings an eclectic mix of original compositions, such as "Stir That Puddin", "Docks of Port Sanilac" and others to the group.
Email Tom: tom@thumbfolks.com
Mike Tremblay
Mike started playing guitar when he was 16 and started writing songs.
He joined several "garage" bands until finally joining a band called "The Sirens" at 19.
They played around the metro Detroit and Ontario area and put out one album of original songs.
He left the band when he was 22 to start a duo called "Us" which performed his original songs and songs in the folk tradition.
"Us" put out one tape of Mike's original songs in 1983 and broke up in 1984.
He then continued playing and writing his original material while getting married, having kids and settling into a "real" job.
As the kids began getting older, he decided to try performing his original music solo at coffeehouses and has been playing regularly since then.
Along with "Thumb Folks" he is currently also playing his original music in solo perfomances and plays in another group called "Tremblay-Evans".As a member of Thumb Folks, Mike sings lead and harmony vocals, plays rythym guitar, banjo and mandolin. He also adds many original songs such as "People Like You", "In The Camping Suburbs" and many others to the groups eclectic blend of songs.
Email Mike: mike@thumbfolks.com