Brian Hinchliffe

We lovingly remember Brian Hinchliffe, a member of the IC, who passed in 2020. 

Brian Hinchliffe was a professional bassist who performed on countless stages and studio recordings. Originally from Rhode Island, he made his way to Nashville at around 2008 where he spend the rest of his life. 

Brian loved Joni Mitchell and her music, and was a die-hard fan. He performed with Bonnie Bishop and countless other artists over the years. He also produced music for others in his home studio. 

After performing all around the USA with Grant Maloy Smith starting in 2017, he also played with him at the Indie Collaborative's Carnegie Hall production show in November 2018. He played with Grant from Kansas to Texas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, and more. He also performed with Grant on two different live concert/PBS television shows: Song of the Mountain in Virginia, and Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour in Lexington, Kentucky. 

"Brian was a great bass player - a real artist," said Grant Maloy Smith. "He was always thinking about expressing the song with his bass; not just playing notes. He had a producer's sense of how he fit into the song and could best bring it to life. This is why he was so in demand as a session player, too. He had a wonderful sense of melody, and he could hold down the bottom while singing with his bass guitar. I've never played with anyone like him. I miss him every day."

He had cancer and beat it. But years later it came back. Brian had a sense of humor that had to be experienced to be understood. He was wry and clever, and could say anything without offending anyone. He essence was a bright light that will burn forever in the memories of everyone who knew him. 

He is dearly missed.