MP3 Bill Dewey - My Tribute To Johnny Cash

An absolute "must have" for a Johnny Cash fan. Dewey totally captures the Cash sound with both his guitar and voice. Recorded in July & August of 2003 along with members of Cash's band, Dewey presents a memorable loving tribute to the Man In Black.

10 MP3 Songs
COUNTRY: Traditional Country, COUNTRY: Modern Country



Details:
BILL DEWEY BIOGRAPHY
Bill Dewey is a singer/songwriter/musician born in the Midwest United States. He grew up working on the family farm raising corn, soybeans, hay, and Hereford cattle. However, music seemed to always be a constant in Bill's life. Dewey was especially influenced by Johnny Cash from the start.

"My mom and dad were such big fans. I always joke, heck I knew at least three Cash tunes by heart before I learned to talk!"

As a child, Dewey wore out several toy guitars pretending to be a singer like Cash. At the age of nine, Bill became a member of Drum and Bugle Corps of America, playing bugle. Then he graduated to cornet/trumpet, and played in several forms of school band until graduating high school. Halfway through high school however, Bill embraced the instrument he always loved the most- the guitar. He once took lessons in second grade, but the teacher stopped giving lessons before Dewey could get a good grasp on technique. In high school, he again took a few lessons, "got a grasp", and it stuck. It was in his blood.

"For years I had been developing my voice by singing along with my Johnny Cash and Statler Brothers records. At the same time, I was learning strumming technique by scratching on an old beginner's guitar in time with the records, not knowing any chords. My parents noticed this and presented me with a brand new guitar for Christmas one year, in hopes I'd take lessons again. I loved it, but I still wasn't serious about it to the extent of playing outside of my own room. So I had wondered if they had wasted their money. Finally one day I decided to learn to play this thing, so I took a few lessons and learned a few chords. Even then I wasn't serious about entertaining anyone but myself, but I loved to play and sing."

Despite his lack of seriousness at the time, Bill was destined to play and sing for many. Dewey met a person at the nursing facility where his grandmother was then a resident, her name was Shirley Suby. The two became friends right away. "She was stricken with polio while still a child and confined to a wheel chair thirty years before we met. Shirley is the person who convinced me I should sing for people. We listened to tons of records together, but when she found out I could play and sing, she didn't stop talking about it until I brought my guitar. So that's where it all started, pretty soon I was entertaining a whole room full of residents every Sunday before church. She was a wonderful person, and a great inspiration."

A local family band who were friends of Dewey's invited him to guest perform at a few of their gigs. Bill was hooked. At that point, his professional career in music had begun. A year or so later Dewey formed his own band- "Bill Dewey and the Blazin' Broncos". They played nearly every weekend in the regional area performing at clubs, fairs, private functions, and parades. Bill played as much as he could, anywhere he could. Dewey was also writing his own songs, recording demos of his material locally. He picked up more and more musical influences through out this time period. Singers and musicians like- Willie Nelson and Dwight Yoakam, to Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens. Other notables include- Carl Perkins, Don Rich, Pete Anderson, and Stevie Ray Vaughn. Bill grew to love all types of music, from big band to hard rockers. In the field of hard driving rock and roll, KISS is the definite favorite. His list of heroes continued to grow. Incidentally while all this was going on, to make a living other than being a musician, Bill hired out to other farmers and also worked in the grocery business. Next, Dewey was to make his first record. A 45rpm disc consisting of two original songs- "Well Enough Alone, and "Just Pleasin' You". The record was cut at the legendary Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee. The same starting point as many of his heroes, including Johnny Cash. The 45 was sold regionally, and got some airplay. By this time Bill had changed band members a couple of times, and changed the band's name to the "Dynammics". Bill and the Dynammics performed at a tribute to Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, the Big Bopper, and pilot Roger Peterson. The above mentioned perished in a plane crash after a concert in Feb. 1959. The tribute show gave Dewey national attention. Enough attention that for a time he was slated to portray Ritchie Valens in a movie about the Big Bopper. In years to come Bill and his band became favorites at the official Buddy Holly Tribute. The world famous tribute has been an annual event every year since it's inception in
1979. It is held on the anniversary of the days surrounding the tragedy; in the same building the three stars last performed in- the fabulous Surf Ballroom. Bill Dewey and the Dynammics then continued to perform on a regular basis to bigger and bigger crowds. Besides attracting people to the shows, Bill and his group received attention from some heavy hitters in the music business. Those relations still continue. According to them, the main attraction besides his music, is Dewey's stage presence. One thing which sets Bill apart from others is his professional impression set forth. He and the band maintain a dress code, and are there for the people's entertainment. It's a serious thing.
Dewey was also attending college to further his musical knowledge. Studying very hard he managed to earn a 4.0 GPA. The time was getting nearer for moving to Nashville. Bill had visited Nashville several times. Ironically, on his very first visit he met his lifelong idol, Johnny Cash. What he was now about to embark on was a long eventful journey.

"That detailed story will have to wait until I write my book before I can tell it all!"

Upon getting settled in Tennessee, Bill again worked in the grocery field. After that he moved into the residential and commercial construction business. Bill specialized in metal stud framing and drywall. Also, to start things off musically in Nashville, Dewey joined a rockabilly four piece combo. They played all over Nashville and surrounding areas. Bill played lead guitar on an album release by that artist- "Justin Curtis-Rockabilly in 3-D". Dewey then met a man who would become his producer- Jack Hale. Hale and Dewey started recording Dewey's original material. Thus began a major quest to gain attention from record labels. He ended up getting some too. Nearly signed by Nashville major label Mercury, and considered by others as well. He came real close a few times, but his style didn't always fit in any "mainstream" category. However, interest in his artistry is still current and ongoing. Bill continues writing, recording, performing, shopping his material, and promoting. He has been a member of many bands as a lead guitar player and singer, performing in many locations in the Southeast U.S.A.

"At first I attempted to start my own group in Tennessee. But then I decided to free-lance it. This helped me a lot because I was able to meet many musicians, and get lots of experience I wouldn't have had playing with the same group all of the time. So, it allowed me to cover a lot of ground."

The original Dynammics continue to perform with Bill as well. For the "rest of the story" and current events, stay tuned to Bill's web site. www.billdewey.com!