Dale Inskeep
While growing up in Southern California has its positives, I knew at an early age that I wanted to go somewhere that had less concrete, more trees, and empty waves. I moved to Drain, Oregon in 1989 when I got my bachelors degree and lived out in the woods. I started teaching music and PE in private schools, coaching water polo, and substitute teaching in the classroom. All of this took a lot of time, but didn't quite add up to a real paycheck. After a year of driving an hour to the beach several times a week, I moved to Coos Bay, Oregon and have lived here ever since.
I've got an unique mix of parts to my life. My wonderful wife, Dayna, and my great kids, Kelsey and Zach are a constant piece of inspiration and support in my life.
I'm a principal of an elementary school where we think of ourselves as a big family. I play music for the whole school every morning as well as teach PE and music to the kindergarteners on Fridays. Being around kids helps keep you young!
I've been living on the ocean for my entire life and couldn't imagine surviving living away from it. I have surfed since I was a pup and ride Gerry Lopez surfboards. I have been kite surfing for several years now and Jimmy Lewis has been making my great kiteboards for the Oregon surf. Lately, I've been standup paddle surfing and I'm having a blast. Regardless of the conditions, I can find something to keep me busy in the ocean. I've had 4 encounters with Great White sharks since January 1993 and have a special place in my heart for this incredible species.
Of course, I love to play music. I went home in 4th grade after Mr. Burger played some fiddle tunes for us and I wanted to play the violin. I'm still playing the violin today, abeit not quite as often as the guitar and mandolin. I have an addiction to fine instruments and have several hanging in my studio. I must say, however, that my favorite guitars come from Austin, Texas and are created in the Collings factory. While I've owned several fine guitars, I can't find any I like better than Collings. I've also got a great Collings F5 varnish mandolin that is a great compliment to my John Sullivan 'shark' and my 2 point Nugget.
When I was a child, I grew up in the water and I loved cowboy stuff. It was a common site for me to be running around in boardshorts while I was wearing a gunbelt and cowboy boots. I don't wear that outfit today, unless I've had heaps of tequila, otherwise it may have taken off as a fashion trend.
I currently have three CD's out and will be recording another one very soon. All three CD's are very different, as are the different facets of my life.
I love to play jazz on the mandolin and on "The Daily Bills" you can get the flavor of that. Bill Bartels is a fantastic guitar player and a true friend. We recorded that in '99 and are still playing together today.
"Whiskey Run, Setting Sun" is an all original, instrumental CD that is inspired by my classical and jazz background as well as the Pacific Northwest and the South Pacific. Whiskey Run is a beach close to my home where we kitesurf regularly and I have had more than a few beers while watching the incredible sunsets after a kitesurfing session.
I've written songs for years, but never really sang them. A few years ago, I decided to start singing them for folks and it's been a blast. I've got turned on to several Texas songwriters and they've all been inspiration to me, especially Robert Earl Keen. I took a trip to Austin in November '06, and drove to Houston to record 'Saltwater Cowboy' at Sugar Hill recording studio. Sugar Hill has heaps of mojo. The Stones, Freddy Fender, Willie Nelson, on and on and on. I figured the good vibe of Sugar Hill wouldn't hurt one bit. Saltwater Cowboy is a taste of some of the original songs I've written. When I write songs, they just come out. I can't really plan it or schedule it, it just pops. Songs have been popping quite a bit lately...It's time to record another CD!
I play music every Thursday evening at the High Tide Cafe in Charleston, Oregon. Charleston is a little fishing town on the ocean end of Coos Bay. We get a great crowd on Thursdays and have been playing there for about two years now. The food and chowder is fantastic, as is the beer. Come on down sometime!