Dennis Hulbert has had a very successful career for 39 years with the U.S.D.A Forest Service as the Region 5 Aviation Officer representing California and Pacific Islands. After retiring he began to focus on his lifelong passion as a musician and his work with the music group that he founded 33 years ago, Machaira. Working with such notable musicians as John McFee from Doobie Brothers, Billy Kirchen from Commander Cody, Dennis is looking to take his band to a new level. This current journey is allowing Dennis the opportunity to work/record with many great players: Marc Russo- from Doobie Brothers, Mic Gillette from Tower Of Power, Michael Hossack- from Doobie Brothers, Brent Bourgeois from Bourgeois Tagg, Scott Joss from Merle Haggard, and Keith Edwards from Ricky Skaggs, to name a few. Dennis is devoting his time to developing and managing the Machaira band and the Go Girls of Machaira. Along with co-managing Machaira Entertainment, a multi facet entertainment endeavor.
Dennis was our guest on Episode 154 of the Agents of Innovation podcast. Learn more about him and his band Machaira at: https://www.coopdeville.com and their YouTube page at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_2eojoSgKJKcF_FzMd-iTg
You can watch this full episode on YouTube podcast: https://youtu.be/O2IJrOYxJs8
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0:00 Episode Intro
2:46 Introducing Dennis Hulbert
3:16 Work for the U.S. Forest Service
4:58 Innovating in the fire retardant space
7:43 Be a good team leader
8:22 The inspiration to go into the U.S. Forestry Service
9:12 Aviation Officer in California and Pacific Islands
11:24 Early days learning music
13:02 Faith music, tours of Russia, American diplomacy
14:00 Surround yourself with good people
14:14 Over 40 people have been in the band, world tours, top guest artists
14:35 Nonprofit band, have never charged a penny
15:25 Taking band to the next level
16:10 11-person band, seasoned professionals, and a movie
18:09 A future reality TV show?
19:03 California, Montana, and tours
19:46 New album: Life is a Rock and Roll Circus
21:51 The business of music
26:25 Profiles of other band members
30:52 The origin of the band name, "Machaira"
32:30 New album releases March 2025 and live shows
34:45 Cover of Elvis Presley "Saved"
35:15 Agent of Innovation Matt Stone as Elvis
37:00 Learn by doing, never miss a gig, and practice
39:50 Keys to success