Johnny Frank Sipes
August 14, 1952 – October 18, 2024
For Frank Sipes, music was life. From his early teens until the music suddenly stopped on October 18, 2024, Frank earned a living playing music throughout California, the western states, Alaska and Canada.
A celebration of Frank’s life and legacy takes place on Sunday, June 22, 2025, 1:00 pm, at North Fork Town Hall. The event, organized by Frank’s wife, Debbie Sipes, is open to all who wish to join in. A light meal catered by Three Springs Farm happens around 2:00 pm; however potluck dishes are welcome, as well. It wouldn’t be a special occasion without the music that formed so much of Frank’s life. Deb plans to feature live music from the major phases of Frank’s career, performances by invitation only. This has become truly a community effort as Jeff Hallock and Linda Furnas got the word out on Facebook. Sue Novell and Roz Thrapp have helped with the hall and food and general support. Angela has composed the flyer/handout, Judy DeRose will MC, Chris Edwards is in charge of sound. Frank’s first wife, Dorothy, and Angelo Gonzales have provided pictures and some music. These are just a few who have joined Deb to ensure a grand send-off.
Frank was born Johnny Frank Sipes, Jr., in Sanger on August 14, 1952, to father Johnny Frank Sipes, Sr., and mother Audrey Howlett Sipes. For the better part of his life, he worked hard to keep his birthdate a secret. In later years he gave up the battle and grudgingly allowed celebrations of that day, always grumbling as friends wished him happy birthday. His family includes sister Cheri Sipes; Amanda Sipes, Johnna Sipes and their children, daughters of brother Mike. Brother David Sipes joined Frank on April 12, 2025. Left behind are David’s wife Dee Dee and their children. Cousin Jim Sipes grew up beside Frank and his siblings. He and other cousins became like brothers.
His specialty was the bass, but Frank also played guitar, sang and composed some amazing songs, often collaborating with Deb in their creation. On occasion he also performed on the flute . . . and even the kazoo.
Frank’s musical influences included Leland Sklar, James Jamerson, Willie Dixon, Harvey Brooks, Omar Sharriff, Bee Spears, Duck Dunn, Paul McCartney, Phil Lesh and Jack Cassidy. His first performance was in 1967 which landed him gigs with bands like Rattlesnake Hatband, A Cast of Thousands, Chicago Stick Band, Bimbo Walker & the Mighty Shuffalos, the Cruisomatics, the Scream City Wailors and Imam Omar Sharriff.
He also backed up or shared the bill with such diverse musical entities as Tex Williams, Rusty Draper, Molly Bee, Freddie Roulette, JJ Malone, Guitar Shorty, Pee Wee Crayton,
Charlie Musselwhite, Glen Delpit and Roger Perry. In addition to his illustrious background, Frank performed with Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Taxxi, the Motels, Queen Ida, Johnny Rodriguez, Ray Price, Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers, Chuck Berry, Little Milton, John Hammond, Charles Brown, The Coasters, Bo Diddley, and Albert King.
The bass player’s discography includes The Raven with Omar Sharriff in 1990 which was nominated for the prestigious John Handy Award, The Prodigal Sun with Glen Delpit in 1984, The Roger Perry Band Live in 1994 which was a video, B.F.D. with the Mighty Shuffalos in 1983, The Cruisomatics in 1987 and Get A Real Job with the Scream City Wailors in 1990.
His final series of musical collaborations began in July 1993 in the living room of his future wife, Debbie Hutchins. Shortly thereafter Frank and Deb (occasionally known as Frankendeb) along with Roger Gonzalez formed Good Medicine. As a trio they quickly gained a following, but Roger decided to bow out, leaving Good Medicine as a duo.
The bond between Deb and Frank grew, and the duo became a partnership for life as Frank moved to North Fork with Deb. Their career together continued to branch out to venues across California and the southwest. The southwest, Santa Fe specifically, is where they made their union official, on January 11, 2000.
Ever the romantic, Frank celebrated the 22nd anniversary of their wedding in a Facebook post in 2022:
22 years ago today in Santa Fe New Mexico Deb and I got married. After 7 years of living together swearing we didn’t want to get married again, under an overpass on 152 under I-5 Deb romantically looked at me and said “I WANNA GET MARRIED!!!!!” So I said “sure,” Not everybody understands us, and frankly we don’t give a damn. We are great together, We are so much alike it is easy to spend all our time together. Happy anniversary Deb.
Eventually the Good Medicine duo morphed from the duo into the trio, the quartet and even the quintet as
fellow musicians Jeffrey Hallock, Ronnie Sweeting, Mark Albosta, Kristin Ramsey joined the fun.The last job the full Good Medicine band performed took place at Fresno’s Gazebo Gardens on April 27, 2024, with Jim “Gumbo” Furnas on guitars and vocals, Jeff Hallock, harmonica, John Shafer (who passed away on March 26, 2025) on drums, Frank Sipes, bass and vocals, and Deb Sipes, guitar and vocals. An abbreviated (quartet) version of the band performed the last-ever Good Medicine gig at the annual Kern Family Farm Party.
Almost as much as his music, Frank, along with Deb, was known as a lifelong San Francisco Giants and 49ers fan. He and Deb shared a special love of baseball.
Frank made magical music, but what only a few lucky folks knew is that he was a consummate storyteller. Many nights he kept a select audience in stitches until night faded into early morning.
In 2024 Good Medicine ended up sidelined much of the time, and Frank issued a prophetic statement, “2024 wasn’t the year we’d planned.”
In a series of “lasts,” the last job the full Good Medicine band performed took place at Fresno’s Gazebo Gardens on April 27, 2024, with Jim “Gumbo” Furnas on guitars and vocals, Jeff Hallock, harmonica, John Shafer (who passed away on March 26, 2025) on drums, Frank Sipes, bass and vocals, and Deb Sipes, guitar and vocals.
An abbreviated (quartet) version of the band performed the last-ever Good Medicine gig at the annual Kern Family Farm Party in May 2024..
One of Frank and Deb’s final meals together during Frank’s short hospital stay was a road favorite: a veggie burger and fries. It proved a fitting farewell to a life, career and musical legacy.
Frank leaves behind his wife, Deb, daughter, Ruby and his two feline companions, Orion and Scout as well as other family members noted above–and a host of friends throughout the United States and beyond.
