I think about you always. Love you Chief.

I just found this guest book - and yes Cheif - I know, I know 

"Harry doesn't mind if he doesn't make the scene. He's got a day time job he's doing all right"

I am so, so, sorry I didn't get to see you play just one more time. You were, and will always be the finest picker that ever shared my blues. Thank you for sharing your life and talent with me. So many memories of sitting with you till close, singing at the top of my lungs down at the Bayou and then off to breakfast. I'm certain that without your friendship I would have crashed and burned back then. I see in reading what others have said here that I am not alone in this. God bless you, man. Keep on smilin. I do. Every time I remember you. 

Thanks for the memories. I will see you again someday. 

PS - You were right. They did grow up to be beautiful young ladies.

A true and dear friend from the day we met.  I will always cherish the friendship we shared alot of laughs and memories.  I will miss you hole heartedly.

I used to work at the Bayou Cafe. I was the bartender upstairs. You knew when Chief started his set. His voice would carry up the stairs and suround you like a blanket. An amazing voice from an amazing person. You will be missed by everyone who knew you, Chief.

I'll always remember how Chief would sing "Keep On Smilin'" and "Brandy" for me anytime I asked. He was a great musician and entertainer. He surely will be missed in Savannah! My deepest condolences to his children and loved ones! 
Dawn Johnson Parrish

I knew Dennis since we were 14 years old, we grew up together on the east side, and I failed to realize the depth of our friendship- but Dennis was always there and I hope that I was half as much of a friend to him as he was to me. I will always carry a deep  and profound love in my being for him, and my life has been truely blessed in knowing that we were friends. In being  around him there was always a joy and a willingness to share a funny story or a view from a different perspective.
Thank you "Cheif" for being in my life and making the world a better place.

Gifted musician, outlandish comic, incredible entertainer, world's biggest heart that touched the heart of thousands - you've created so many indelible memories. We were all blessed to know you. I will remember you always.

July made one year living in savannah. Hearing chief at the bayou cafe was something to behold. His back stories to the songs was fantastic, and his style was one of a kind.

Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.

Our "whine list"...how precious...
Thanks for the memories our dear
friend...we love you... & will miss you
terribly... God's Blessings to your family... Always...Cheri & Hubert

Hey Chief; I'll bet that when you arrived at those pearly gates in heaven and St. Peter asked you to play "Brown Eyed Girl" I will be willing to bet that you charged him twenty five dollars the same as you charged at the Bayou. Ya know . A musician with an attitude like you only deserves the best. rest easy my dear friend. Tell Howard I said hello. And hey Chief, give 'em hell in heaven.

Stan Baker & Scooter

Hey Chief; I'll bet that when you arrived at those pearly gates in heaven and St. Peter asked you to play "Brown Eyed Girl" I will be willing to bet that you charged him twenty five dollars the same as you charged at the Bayou. Ya know . A musician with an attitude like you only deserves the best. rest easy my dear friend. Tell Howard I said hello. And hey Chief

Chief,
A little over 30 years ago, Berry Johnson and Tommy Dean introduced me to you. Since then we have had many, many conversations. From music, politics, to family... Politics I know not to talk very much about to you. However, conversations from the heart were my best times. When I was down, when I was up, You were there. I hope that you can say the same for me. I remember our conversation days before you left us, about how precious life really is, and how important it is to express your feeling for the ones you care for. I will miss our conversations, I will miss every Sunday's Falcon discussions, but most of all I will miss you. 

Love your brother,
Dave "The Rave" Shephard

Like hundred/even thousands of people who were fortunate enough to meet "Chief" and hear him sing, he truly was Savannah local and excellent musician.  No matter who you were, he always made people feel special whenever I saw him at the Bayou Cafe.  My prayers and blessings go out to his entire family and friends.  With utmost sincerity, Sue Kempf

My sister-in-law is from Savannah and when she & my brother retired 12 years ago they moved back to Savannah. I have been visiting them ever since.
  The 1st place they took me to visit in Savannah was the Bayou Cafe on River Street to see Chief play.
  I visit Savannah twice a year and always made time to see Chief play as many times as I could on each visit.
He was a staple in my musical diet.
  When my sister-in law called today to let me know that he had passed away a sadness swept over me.  I feel like I have lost a close friend.
  His musicianship, sparkling personality & the joy he brought to thousands of people in the Savannah area over the years will be sadly missed.
  My condolences and prayers go out to his family & friends.
May you Rest in Peace in Musician's Heaven

To the Family of Dennis "Chief" Hinely,

May God Bless and Keep You in your time of sorrow. Our hearts and prayers go out to you. Dakota, hold your head up, I know your daddy is proud of you.

With Deepest Sympathy,
Jolliffee and Garrett Wright

As it turns out, I've been friends with Chief for 1/3 of my life, ever since I moved to Savannah. First time I saw him, Pat Lassiter brought him to the Cavalier where I was playing, in 1993, and he got up to sing with our band. He asked if we knew Ol' 55 by the Eagles. I knew it, so I said "hit it." As we were going through it, I was singing all the high harmonies and playing the steel guitar riffs on my Tele, and he kept looking at me, it was that musical recognition. As the years passed, I finally convinced him to come to my recording studio and that's when our friendship really gelled. We recorded over 30 of his songs, and only about 12 of them have been heard by anybody, so that's my task now, to get the songs into shape for him, we'd been talking about them lately, anyway. Chief is a great loss to music, and a great loss to friendship in this town, and beyond. I will miss the death-defying laughter we shared every time we talked. I'm glad he's not suffering any more, but I wish he was still here.  Don Coyer

Chief, I have known you my whole life. I remember when you lived next to Pam we always had a free concert listening to you practice. You were such a great spirited person and always a kind word. I can't believe you are gone.. I will miss being called Little Carter until we meet again.. Heaven has received a truly talented and loved angel. 
Sabrina, I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.. 

Love,
Angie Carter

We stumbled into the Bayou just last year following the music.  Met Chief that night who sang our requests and immensely entertained us.  We were looking forward to a repeat performance again this year, but we were too late.  That one night is now a very special memory for us.  I am sure he was loved by all he entertained, and he definitely was a very special person.

The wonderful laughs during our late night visits to the huddle house will be treasured memories for the rest of my days....one last time I have to say this.....FREEBIRD!

You were the sweetest person always kind to others and will be missed dearly
Love you always.Peace to the Chief.

Rest in peace my good friend. I will truely miss you. You have been a part of my life and I will cherish the memories. Goodbye Chief, you will be deeply missed.

To my friend chief, we spent many nights having conversations. U were the only one that was usually up at those hrs. U made me laugh, u made me cry but most of all u truly knew me better than alotta ppl know me. one of the last times we spoke recently...u told me that u loved me for the person that I am....REAL! I love u dearly and will never forget u n today WILL not be the only day I shead tears for u.U will live on in my heart always.

I will truely miss you my friend. I will cherish the fond memories I have of singing and playing with you, it was indeed an honor and a privilege. I will miss that big smile you always had when you  would look at me and say, "Hey Elvis". I am glad to have known the man known simply as "Chief" Rest in peace my friend, we'll sing together again in Heaven.

GOODBYE CHIEF. THANKS FOR THE GREAT MEMORIES. YOU WERE ALWAYS SPECIAL TO ME. YOU WILL BE MISSED.

To my Ole' friend, hope the music in heaven is as sweet as you were, remembering back in high school when we rode around  in that little white VW. Gonna miss you Dennis. When I would see you out and about you always had a big smile and a kind word. To the  family, My prayers are with you in this difficult time.... Dennis was an awesome, one of a kind, wonderful person.

There will never be another "Chief"...     :'(

Savannah will surely miss the fun and talent you brought to performance. Will miss ya buddy. The Born Bros.

What a wonderful man!  I met Chief at the Main Sail Lounge and boy what fun we had!  You will be missed by many.  Say hey to Big Billy and Dino.  The party is getting bigger on the other side.

love forever,

Betsy Haddock

I just can't believe you are gone.  I spent so much time with you during my 5 years in Savannah and while working at the Bayou.  You were one of the most loyal friends I've ever had.  We had such great times, talking about Neil Young, The Beatles, Pearl Jam!  You were so very kind to me and someone I could trust.  Thanks for all your long talks and encouragement, as well as all the fun little trips we had together while I lived there.  The love you had for your two children never ceased to amaze me.  My prayers are with your family.  I love you Buddy!  I'll see u later, count on it!  Love u!

Rest well Chief, we'll see you soon my dear friend

Long before the Bayou, Chief used to sit in with the Robert Brant Band at Cleve's. It's been a pleasure over the last 25 years to be able to watch him go from someone that was scared to death to get on stage to one of the best entertainers in Savannah.I've spent many a night enjoying him giving the crowd hell and playing some really fine music. You will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends.

My deepest sympathy to the family. Chief was a wonderful man, There was never a dull moment when he walked in the door. I am really gonna miss him as well as his music, There was never a request I put in that he wouldn't play
Sincerly, Jennifer Thomas

My dear friend, you have taken a piece of my heart with you. We go back many, many years. I will never forget our true friendship. You are truly one in a million. I love you and will never forget you. There will never be a very special friend like you....you would drop everything if I needed your kind heart and soft shoulder, always assuring me everything would be okay. I know at those pearly gates, your mother, father, my mother, Baine, Gail, and our Heavenly Father welcomed you with open arms......til we meet again, my dear friend........

Chief your songs and voice will be missed by so many - you were a good friend and loved so much - Thoughts and prayers go out to the family...

Our very first memory of Savannah is of Chief....my daughter and i just happened to walk into the Bayou one night and there was Chief; playing the guitar and singing his heart out.....the banter with the audience always delighted and entertained everyone within earshot..... Savannah will never be the same without you and i am truly saddened.....God Bless....Pamela Moses, Thunderbolt, GA

"If there's a rock n roll heaven you know they have a hell of a band"  I know Chief aced the audition.  Rest in Peace friend. Martha Swindelle

To all of Chief's family my heart and prayers are with you. Savannah has lost one of its great entertainers who had such great style and presence. He will be sorely missed by us all.

you will always be our brown eyed guy..we love you very much...margie and linda gale

I will always cherish the friendship we shared. I only wish I had made time to come visit you more often. Countless lives have been forever touched by you in so many ways. I am grateful that one of those lives is my own. Love you, my friend.

God's Gift of Time
  We all need a time for tears, not for the one who is now at peace in heaven, but for ourselves as we realize that things will never be the same. 
    Praying for Mr. Hinely's Family and wishing you peace.

you will always be OUR brown eyed guy...we love you soooooo  much....margie and linda gale...margie says when she sees you again she is gonna SING....

So sorry to lose you but the music in Heaven will be better with your playlist. We will all miss you!

thank you for the good times, the heart felt laughs, the stories and the friendship. Goodbye my friend.

i used to watch you play and sing in the legendary bayou...black x and all...family tradition. fly away freebird...see you on the other side.

Gonna miss ya Big Guy loved the time got to spend with you........

So sad to hear that you are gone. I can close my eyes and still hear you singing those good songs.  The spirit lives on . . .

You are in our hearts brother. I will miss you picking on me every time I saw you somewhere. Peace to you friend. We know we will see you again, up there.

Dear cousin,
You will always remain in our hearts and thoughts with love and many fond memories.

(Chief) Our Prayers and Thoughts go out to you and Family,From The Pinkas Family..We love you Cuz

I will always love and miss you my dear friend!you will be apart of my heart forever!! Mustang sally...

Chief, you are deeply missed.  I will deff miss the nights of taking my mother and aunt down to the bayou to hear you sing.  It want be the same, but i know that you are in heaven rocking out to some jammed up music.  I also know that when i get to heaven w/ yah i want have to worry about paying that 20.00 to hear brown eyed girl (not that you ever made me pay anyways ;) RIP...and keep that big smile... it lights up everyone's life

Chief...You will be missed...You were a true friend and a great musician...I am truly honored to have known you...like the Righteous Brothers song "If there is a rock and roll heaven you know that have a hell of a band" You always had a smile on your face and you made people feel good with your music...Thank you again we all love you and we will never forget you... Keep rocking brother!!

If I leave here tomorrow,would you still remember me?I will never forget you or will anyone in this town.You were such a well loved person and a great musician.Every time I was around you it was entertaining,God Bless your family during this time for the loss of such a great man."FLY FREEBIRD FLY WITH THE ANGELS"!

I met Chief many years ago and he had a heart of gold everyone who knew him liked him.This news of his passing has hurt so many.But now he is rocking with a higher power.He will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him.Well my friend RIP as your memory here will carry on.Thanks for all the years you was rocking here on earth and I will miss all the good times at the Bayou Cafe

You're beautiful music will be missed my friend... I hope you are in a better place free of pain.. God be with you

I met Chief at the Bayou Cafe more than 10 years ago and had the opportunity to jam with him at Augies. He will be missed but I know he's rockin on in heaven!

To my dear sweet friend CHIEF , i am having a hard time with words to express the deep sorrow this whole town its seems is having since the news of your death spread .You were such a great part of my life i have countless memories of our roadtrip's,our conversations, and your never ending support no matter what life threw at me.I am honored to of had those times with you .I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU CHIEF !! I LOVE THAT MAN!!!

I enjoyed arguing (and occasionally agreeing) with Chief about rock music whenever I'd see him... usually in a bar. He could be a tad cranky at times, but he was also quite generous. One day at lunchtime I bumped into him at Larry's Restaurant. He left before I did, and when I'd finished eating and went to the cashier to pay my bill, I was told Chief had already taken care of it. Whatta guy!

Savannah has lost an icon.  This "Brown-Eyed Girl" loves ya, big guy.

Chief's soul was larger than life, he was truly a gentle giant, always loved to hear him sing,gonna miss dearly

Chief, you and my mother Patty went back along way. The days when you would baby sit for her.  She passed in 96 and I know she is waiting for you with open arms and ready for you to sing her some blues that she loved. You will always be in my thoughts and prayers. The Bayou will never be the same again when I go there.

Love you and will miss you dearly.  
Rest in Peace !! 

Love Theresa, Anthony, Adam and Josh

Teardrops can't express the words I want to speak to you. We understood each other in a way most couldn't. I Love You and will Miss You deeply My Friend. "Until We meet again, Until then"....

Chief your music lives on in my soul. You have brought so many smiles for me and my friends. Thank you. We will keep your family close in our thoughts and prayers. See you on the other side.

Chief, you will be missed by all who knew you. We have many fond memories of you playing at the Bayou and Spanky's Westside.  Until we meet again RIP my friend...

Chief,
I will never forget you. I remember coming to hear you sing and the smile  you had on  your face. We had such a good time singing along with you.  You will forever be missed!!!! 
Kimberly

I remembering meeting Chief years go at the Bayou and he never forgot my name or face.  I will miss you and May you rest in peace.  Forever in my heart and your songs in my mind.

Chief was a wonderful musician and friend.  I will always be grateful for the kindness he showed me, and will miss him very much.  My sincere sympathy to his family and loved ones.  May God bless you all in your sorrow.

I will always love and miss you Chief,you have always been a true friend,I will miss your smile,you always lite up any room you were in.

Denny, We were neighbors for 25 years, so many memories! When Tery died 3 years ago you told be you would look out for me and my safety to call you if needed and you were faithful to your promise! Thank You! That meant so much to me! You are truly missed!!

You will be missed greatly ~thanks for the memories, Chief!

A great picture of Chief in 2005 playing at my wedding in Asheville.  Love you brother.

You meant so much to me and my family  - you are forever in our hearts. Your friend, Beatle Ray

until we say hello again, Goodbye
The Songbook Of Savannah leaves a teardrop in our eyes
I'll always hear your music on my memory-go-round
Adieu to you my friend, go trade your cross in for a crown

I will miss you my friend.

Dennis, i know you smiled when two beautiful women (Baine & Gail) greeted you at the Pearly Gates...give my sisters my best and keep them safe for me until i get there...i love you Dennis..knowing & loving you made me a better person in this life...ill see you again...until then....i will keep your dreams alive through song...and wait until i can see you again..thank you for being my friend and my brother...with eternal love, Barry

Chief, you were one of my closest friends during my years in Savannah. Regardless of what you were doing, you always had time for me and my goofy problems when I lived there...You were such a true friend. Anytime i think of Savannah, I always think of you. I remember when you used to play "American Girl" for me as soon as you would see me walk into the Bayou Cafe because you thought it was funny that I could fake a South American  accent and convince people i was from somewhere else!!! You always made me smile! You made my time working at the Bayou such a fun time! You are truly and deeply missed my friend..... Much love..Missy Shelton

Goodbye our friend.  So many memories.  You will forever be missed.
Ed & Brittney Nolan

Wow , I can`t believe you are gone. So many good times with you. REST IN PIECE

Had many a great night listening to and chatting with Chief.  The Bayou will never be the same.  He will be greatly missed!!

Chief was a true friend and one of those few people you could always count on. Your sense of humor will be missed as well as your friendship. Heaven just got one more singing angel! Patty Murphy(Savannah,Ga)

We were always there fof each other.We used to play a song Chief wrote called "No More Tears".You finally have peace my big brother. Edwin Powell

We lost another one of the good guys with the passing of Chief. Always a friendly word when you entered where he was playing or if he saw you on the street. A great musician / singer with more songs the offer than most. We will miss you my friend. Thanks to his family for sharing him with us for these many years he will be in our hearts for ever.But it's good to know we have another voice in the choir of angels singing and playing in heaven. God speed my friend.

Goodbye Dennis my former bandmate and compadre. Many many gigs together  back then and the song remains the same.

Brother, I have watched you,sang with you and been inspired by you for as long as I can remember. You were a true friend and you will be missed terribly. Those will be some big shoes to fill, literally. David Steinhauser

Goodbye Dennis. What a long. strange trip it was. But Fun!

I love you, Bubba! You are already missed beyond what words can express! You will ALWAYS be in my heart!Love, Your Little Sister

We'll miss you, Chief. Our Good Friend.
Stephen and Jennifer Klahr

May the Lord comfort you at this most difficult time. Chief is a Great person. Will miss his music and style.

See you in Heaven my dear friend.  Tell my mom, dad, and two brother's I can't wait to see them.  I love you my buddy.

Chief...I can't believe you are gone, it had been quite some time since I had seen you but I always took it for granted you would be at the Bayou anytime I needed to stop by and talk.  You were a great guy and were loved by so many people, you and your beautiful voice will never be forgotten. Rest in peace my friend...

OBITUARY

Bruce Dennis Hinely

December 24, 1961 – September 30, 2011

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Updates

Past Services

Memorial Service