Bluegrass Author Inspires West Henderson High School Students
Author and musician Dr. Tom Bibey at West Henderson High School
HENDERSONVILLE – Two hundred high school students gathered in the auditorium of West Henderson High School Wednesday to hear words of encouragement and inspiration offered by Dr. Tom Bibey.
The 59-year-old semi-retired family doctor from Shelby was not there to give medical advice. Instead, the mandolin player and author of the recently released fictional medical malpractice novel The Mandolin Case told the teenagers about following their dreams even when obstacles get in the way.
“Writing is like the rest of life, prepare to get rejected,” he said. “My book went through about 30 revisions over the course of a decade before it was picked up by a publisher. You have to allow people to criticize your work, but also learn not to take it personal. You may not be John Grisham, but if you can communicate with a fellow human being, you will have accomplished something special.”
Dr. Bibey was invited to speak by English teacher Cliff Searcy, a local musician who struck up an online friendship with Bibey and learned of the doctor’s literary aspirations after their two bands played together.
“He began to talk about his writing and I told him when he got his book published I wanted him to talk to my students,” Searcy said. “Now that it’s been out three or four months, he made good on that promise.”
Searcy said The Mandolin Case skillfully incorporates bluegrass music into an intricate tale of a country doctor facing malpractice allegations and a younger physician who wants to assist his mentor without taking any credit.
“The book is outstanding,” Searcy said. “For folks who follow bluegrass music, there are hints from songs along the way that play into what happens next. It’s a foreshadowing technique and just one part of the really neat stuff in those pages.”
Because the students already have a lot of required reading, Searcy is not making them read Bibey’s book. However, they still appreciated his insight into the creative process.
“I haven’t read the book, but I am inspired by all art and it plays a huge role in my life,” said 18-year-old Riley Holcombe of Horse Shoe, who later joined Bibey in an after-school jam session with members of the West Henderson High Bluegrass Club. “I think it was really good to hear him talk about putting his personal experiences into the story.”
Dr. Bibey was likewise impressed with the students.
“These kids are pretty astute,” he explained. “A lot of people want to know if music is really that important to my work and my life, and it is. I wouldn’t get on stage with anything other than a mandolin, but I play guitar and banjo. But if I play the fiddle, my wife will run me out of the house because I’m terrible at it.”
The Mandolin Case
by Dr. Tom Bibey
332 pages, $18, published by Ford, Falcon & McNeil
www.themandolincase.com
Email
Print
Feed
