If you haven’t yet had a chance to catch one of Texarkana’s newest bands in action, it is still pretty likely that you’ve heard at least one of their members live from a stage around town before. The T-Town 5, a collection of veteran musicians playing songs you know and love, is excited to share the magic of music with audiences again soon.

The T-Town 5 is made up of Phoebe Warren (Phoebe Rose) on vocals, Deb Gilliam on vocals and percussion, Mike Gilliam on drums, percussion and vocals, Bill Moss on guitars, Ted Stone on guitars and vocals, and Glenn Smith (Smitty G) on bass. Collectively, the T-Town 5 brings over a century’s worth of experience to the stage, as everyone is a lifelong musician, and many have spent decades performing in working bands. Most recently, the Gilliams played together in the band, Quicksilver. Ted and Smitty G have spent years playing together in Deacon Dark and Ms. Mac and the Groovetones and several other bands respectively. Bill and Phoebe have years of experience performing in different Praise and Worship bands.

If you counted along in your head, you may have the same question that the band gets often: “Wait, shouldn’t y’all be the T-Town 6?” They laugh and make plenty of jokes about it, and Deb explained that while they originally got together in the summer of 2019 as a five-piece and wanted a name that was fun and catchy, they couldn’t pass up the opportunity to add another talented musician, another dimension, to the band. “It’s kind of just become my joke from the stage,” Mike said, “that you never know how many of us will be up there. Maybe it’s six tonight, but next time we may add a horn and a triangle player. Could be the T-Town 10 eventually.”

The more the merrier sentiment makes sense for this group of musicians whose main objective is to have fun and to help other people have fun right along with them. “There are so many downers in this world, especially right now it seems, and music is one of the best ways to bring people together, to escape the day if you need to, and to find some joy,” Deb said.

The T-Town 5’s setlist is roughly a 50/50 blend of pop rock and classic rock, everything from Tom Petty to The Talking Heads, but not necessarily the hits you may be expecting. “We made the decision not to include any country or southern rock,” Mike said, “because there are many bands that already do those things so well around here.” And while the T-Town 5 may not be a dance band, per se, there are probably a few songs to pull people out of their chairs, and plenty that will have the crowd singing along. “I love that we have a multi-generational group, and a wide variety of interests,” Deb said. “Especially having Phoebe ... not only is she a phenomenal singer, but we’re playing songs I’ve never really even listened to, like ‘Psycho Killer’ by The Talking Heads, and now that has become one of my favorites to perform.”

Since playing their first gig in September of 2019, the T-Town 5 has performed at many local venues and rang in the New Year at Redbone Magic Brewing. “We had so much fun that night, and it really felt like everything was coming together,” Deb said, “and then COVID hit, and we’ve been on a hiatus like most everyone else.” Undoubtedly, the band has been taking their own advice and practicing their craft, and they are looking forward to a more musical end to 2020. They have many gigs on the calendar, starting this month back at Redbone Magic Brewing. (You can find more information about upcoming events on the T-Town 5 Facebook page.)

With years of experience under their belts, the T-Town 5 know well the time and effort involved in putting on a good show. Most of the hard work takes place off stage and behind-the-scenes, but the chance to play your favorite rock song with a group of friends while the crowd sings along - that is a reward that makes it all worth it. “Performing and playing music is one of those things that always seems to sucker you back in,” Deb said, and it seems as if the rest of the band would agree. “Just the ability to get lost in a song and enjoy the moment is something we love and love to share.”

Feature Stories

The Magic of Music