John Tibbs, Station Admin, passes away
John Tibbs, the administrator of detour BLUES, passed away on July 30, 2010 at the age of 55. He was a strong advocate of independent radio and exposing listeners to new music. John was very passionate towards his listeners as well, always trying to make their listening experience unique and fun. Everyone at the detour network would like to thank him for his hard work and dedication since 2006. He will be missed. Please post any comments or memories you may have of John here.
detour BLUES will continue to broadcast as normal. We will be working on taking over John’s operation over the next month. New music and new shows are also in the works! Stay tuned for more blues as we remember John by continuing the station that he started.
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about 1 year ago
This is such sad news. My thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones in this time of loss. I just become a faithful listener a couple of months ago, and I never got a chance to listen to the daily “Blues You Can Use” show due to my work schedule, but I sincerely appreciate all the time and effort that John Tibbs must have expended providing this great blues station for our listening pleasure. May he rest in peace.
about 1 year ago
I am very sad to hear of John’s death, and I want to express my sincere condolences to John’s family and friends. John and I spoke only a few times by email, but through his music I came to think of him as a great blues DJ. He was always loyal and steadfast in his devotion to his listeners. His blues tribute will be the music he carefully selected and chose to broadcast and the Indie artists he introduced his listeners to. We will miss him.
I join Charlie: Rest in Peace John.
bc
about 1 year ago
Hi…this is Char, Johnnys lady as he liked to call me. Detour was his baby…he loved this station and the listeners like nothing else.
I’d like to share a few memories…
Johnny was liked by everyone that met him…he smiled all of the time, was always willing to help anyone in need whether it was talking to them or money which he didn’t have much of. Every time he came over he would ask, do you need money? I would answer no, do you? It was a running joke between us but he was serious when he asked.
Since Friday I have been unbelievable, staying to myself. Thinking of everything that was said between us, the things we did together. He told me once on the phone, “When I die you won’t be be able to handle it.” How right he was. I’m not.
I still can’t believe it. Keep asking myself why God would play such a cruel joke on us both. The two of us were hurt in relationships many times before and now that were finally found love and each other, he was taken away.
Am I happy that he is out of pain? Oh yes I am. He suffered more then we knew. He never let on the extent. Do I miss him? I can’t tell yous how much. What a void his passing left in my life. We talked every single night on the phone unless one of us were sick. His last words were I Love You Darlin to me. Nite Nite.
Just when I think I have no more tears, I do. I have plenty more. I have never met a man like him…he treated me like no other. We fought, oh did we. We both had tempers.
I still have all of his emails to me, dried flowers, a teddy bear. He was always buying me something. I loved shopping for his Bday and Christmas. I knew he would love anyhting I bought him.
Him and I talked often of moving to Tn when I could. He loved it there. In fact, his brother told me on the phone, that’s where his ashes will be spread. Phyllis (his very dear friend of over 25 years) emailed me it will be in the fall. What’s ironic about this is that years ago when I went to Tn a few times, I told my family that’s where I wanted my ashes spread. I wish I could be there.
I had this dream last night. When I talked to Wade, I asked if I could have a necklace he wore…dogtags that said John and Char on them and his cap he always wore over here. It had his call sign on it. My dream was that I found them by the front door. I believe he was saying goodbye.
Life really is too short…NEVER take anyone for granted, NEVER not tell anyone, family or friends that you love them. You might not get the chance again. Believe me, I know.
RIP Johnny, I love and miss you so much. I can picture you up there jammin with the best. To me you are the best. xoxo
You are now physically gone
But will stay forever in my heart
Your memory will never be forgotten
Although we were made to part.
about 1 year ago
Im new listener of this station,and i didn’t knew John, but for you who knew him, his family and friends, im very sorry for your loss.
Rest in peace John.
about 1 year ago
Hello. I am Wade, John’s brother that he lived with during the last eighteen months of his life. I just wanted to share with you how much John loved doing the Detour Blues program. He often spoke of the amount of listeners that were listening and where they were from. I hope each one of you know that you gave him joy simply by listening to him. Over the past few months, when he was able to do the show, it would give him energy that no one would believe.
My brother is in God’s house now and although I deeply miss him, I know he is better off with the Lord instead of here suffering.
As his brother, I personally want to thank you listeners for the joy you gave him by listening. God Bless each one of you
Wade Tibbs
about 1 year ago
I am John’s sister. My brother was a wonderful person not only as a brother but as a friend. He was both to me. When we would talk, he always presented my problem back to me in a positive way and made things seem so different. He loved Detour Blues! He spoke of it all the time with such excitement. He was so excited as the number of listeners increased. He was so proud. John will greatly missed by not only our family’ but the many lives he touched. He had a passionate love for people. I pray tha Deyour Blues will continue to grow because that would be his desire. I love you John (mike as I know him) Your memory lives on.
about 1 year ago
Very very sad.. Had couple emails with John.. I can say I was is #1 admirator from Montreal, Qc Canada I guess. What Blues knowledge he has!… Long life to Detour Blues for John!!
about 1 year ago
Hello to the Family of John Tibbs and please accept my words of comfort in your
time of loss. I am a relatively new listener of Detour Blues but I think it is the greatest online blues radio I’ve ever heard! I was shocked to hear of John’s death,
on going to the website for the first time…his voice is something special and he
came across as being a kind and caring person. Please continue to play the wonderful variety and diverse sounds of the blues like John did. All the best in life!
Thank you, Johnny
about 1 year ago
I host the Family Entertainment program on Detour Music. As both a friend and colleague of John’s, I was devastated to hear of his passing. John was a warm and wonderful person who was passionate about the blues, his listeners, and life in general. He was something of an on-air mentor to me, always offering words of encouragement and advice. Often, those words came over the phone as he was doing his own show. I used to tell him how much I envied that great radio voice of his. I’ll never forget the remote broadcast we did together at the Blue Plum Festival. I did the show following John’s; we had a blast, and we talked about one day going on the air together. Then his health problems took him away from the Tricities, and we had to put that goal on hold.
This week I’m returning to The Detour’s airwaves after several months away due to school obligations. In doing so, I will offer and on-air tribute to John. He was a man of incredible vision, talent, and humanity, and will not be forgotten by those of us who knew and listened to him.
about 1 year ago
I am very sad to hear of John’s death, and I want to express my sincere condolences to John’s family and friends. John and I spoke only a few times by email, but through his music I came to think of him as a great blues DJ. He was always loyal and steadfast in his devotion to his listeners. His blues tribute will be the music he carefully selected and chose to broadcast and the Indie artists he introduced his listeners to. We will miss him. I join Charlie: Rest in Peace John. bc
about 1 year ago
3 or 4 years ago I found this great Blues station. Almost every evenings I heard Detour Blues while I’m working. Last half a year I had no safety internet, and I’ve just read what happened. R.I.P. John You made a really good thing. Blues sounds here in the heart of Europe.
Attila from Hungary