UNCLE ALBERT
Tim "Uncle" Albert
TIM ALBERT, lead vocals & guitars
When Tim Albert looked into his future as a child, he didn't see anything except music. He began taking drum lessons at age 6, got a drum set for his 7th birthday and was playing gigs by the age of 10. In fact, that was also the age when he auditioned in front of a board to obtain a musicians' union card. At that time, 10-year-old Tim was telling people that he would be making records one day. "(Music) is what I was born to do," he said.
After playing drums in bands for gigs like block parties, cocktail parties and some bars throughout high school, Tim moved out of his house and was playing full-time by the age of 17.
A drum set was his first instrument of choice, but he said his mother always made sure there were plenty of instruments in the house. For years, he played the drums in public, but it was the guitar that he practiced at home. "I always heard it in my head," Tim said of the instrument. He played bass in one band as a teenager, but he didn't play guitar in public until the early 1980s.
He started Uncle Albert when a friend told him, "Until you do it (on your own), it's never going to happen." He didn't necessarily aspire to have his own band, Tim said. It just seemed like the right thing to do. However, Tim's life is never simple - he always has several things going at once.
That time period was no exception, The late 1980s and early 1990s and were quite possibly one of the busiest times of his life. Working various other jobs. Including drum teacher at a local music store. And touring with various bands, both as a musician - alternating between drums, percussion and guitar - and as a sound man and road manager. He's operated recording studios. And enjoys working with his brother Matt, in his own musical endeavors.
The first highlight of his career was traveling with the Eddie Fisher Band. At the real beginning of his professional career, opening for some of the top R. & B. acts of the time. He's also played drums with the Charlie Daniels Band, and Spencer Davis. While touring" I've also had the pleasure of spending some time with Cab Calloway for about two weeks. That was a great time getting to hear some of his stories" Tim said.
For Tim, music is "sanctuary." He does enjoy it, but he said playing music is not a conscious choice. "It's chemical," he said. "The music never stops in my mind." He said he is lucky to have his gifts and to be able to use them in making a career.