Hard Working Michigan Band on a Great 'Tripp'
Story by LCC Radio Reporter Philippe Goudiaby
Tripp ‘N’ Dixie is one of those groups that came together at time when seeing
your friends was an everyday occurrence; during high school. Since then, they
have been touring the Great Lakes State region and building a number of
(sometimes tall) tales of life on the road. One such tale is the story behind
the group’s moniker. Legend has it that one day, a former band member’s van
broke down in the middle of nowhere. Distraught and bewildered, the deserted
musician began to set out on foot. Fortunately, his journey was cut short when
he was rescued by an elderly couple who gave him a ride to his destination. When
he got out of the car and thanked them, the elderly man introduced himself, “I’m
Tripp and this is my wife, Dixie.” Tall tales aside, the true story is much
simpler. As it turns out, the band played a show at a venue in Holly, Michigan
that happened to be located on the corner of Tripp Road and Dixie Highway. They
named themselves Tripp ‘N’ Dixie for the night and it stuck.
The band has had a rotating line up throughout the years, but the current cast
features Rozz Rosales (vocals), Conner Williams (keyboard), Miguel Gutierizz
(drums), with Adam Cross, Mike Gonchoroff, and Sandy Baller rounding out the
band on guitars. Out of Pontiac, Michigan, most of the six-piece rock band came
together during the band’s high school days with the exception of keyboardist,
Conner Williams.
“When I first met Conner, he was working as a bouncer and he didn’t think I
looked old enough so he
carded me to get in the venue,” recalled Rosales, “Later
on, I went to the bar to get a drink and he pulled me aside and carded me
again.”
With a name that pays homage to the Michigan’s infrastructure and a sound that
stems from its culture, Tripp ‘N’ Dixie make no attempt to hide their ‘mitten’
roots. In fact, they have much love and respect for the regional music
community.
“The music that comes out of this state is unbelievable,” said Williams, “And
the history, you could go on for hours so we’re definitely proud to be a part of
that!”
Although Tripp ‘N’ Dixie plays occasionally outside of the state, the majority
of their shows in the greater Detroit area. Top of list though? They identified
the Machine shop in Flint. Rozz brought up a specific moment when the band was
playing at the venue and the crowd sang along to the lyrics of their song
“Forgotten”.
“Seeing the crowd react to their music like that was incredible,” said Rosales.
Above all else though, Rosales said (half-joking) what he really likes to see in
the crowd is “people”. Luckily for Trip ‘N’ Dixie, after 12 years of playing
together, releasing new music, and finding themselves in the final stages of
competition amongst some of the motor city’s best, the band has been able to
steadily grow their fanbase.
Growth is a common theme for the group. Along with their musical prowess, the
members of Tripp ‘N’ Dixie have seen their families grow as well. Rosales and
Cross both have children on the way and Gonchoroff is currently on hiatus
raising a newborn. Still the show must go on, so the band has found a way to
persevere through what Rosales calls “real life nipping at our heels”.
Tripp ‘N’ Dixie fans can be expecting something new to come out very soon. The
group began recording a five song EP in May of 2018 and recently finished
recording. The new EP will be a fresh take for long-time listeners. Rosales
credits time, experience, and their engineer, Steve Lehane, for the more
polished sound of their next project.
“It’s completely different,” said Rosales, “The music sonically is better than
anything we’ve ever released before; and the songs are tighter.”
Audiences have a lot to look forward to from Tripp ‘N’ Dixie, as they currently
are in late stages of Kid Rock’s “Take the Stage” competition, a ‘battle of the
bands event where groups from the area compete to become the house band at Kid
Rock’s Made in Detroit restaurant located inside of the new Little Caesars
Arena. Whether they are victorious or not, we aren’t whistlin’ “Dixie” when we
tell you this band is on a serious “Tripp” to the top!
