"The sound is pure Americana with pedal steel, dobro, fiddle, mandolin and lush harmony vocals, wrapped around the acoustic guitar, bass and drums." Jim Hoehn, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

12 MP3 Songs
FOLK: Traditional Folk, COUNTRY: Country Folk



Details:
Dennis began playing guitar in high school in southern Ohio. He purchased his first Gibson from the son of Bradley Kincaid which may, in part, explain his movement back to traditional music. He was fortunate to have a variety of opportunities playing in a great little band that opened for a variety of touring acts, the Children of Stone while in high school. When he played with the Children of Stone they had the opportunity to open for the Left Banke [Just Walk Away Rene/ Pretty Ballerina] on their first US tour, the Hollies on their first US tour, Terry Knight and the Pack (later Grand Funk Railroad [regularly] and Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels.

His ears perked up during the folk singer era when he heard Panama Limited played on a beat-up National Steel guitar. He parked the electric and picked up an acoustic. Since then he has played in various groups, acoustic rock bands, namely, Clifton Mill, begun with Rich Borgerson and the walk-on talent of Howie Golub, now with the Central Illinois band the Boat Drunks- check them out, the Ubiquitous Odds and Ends Band, and as a duet with his friend Eric Garvin at various rallies for peace groups and women's shelters, in various cities and states. Each has helped him develop his interest and his art.

Predominately his music is Americana played in an acoustic style. After a few beers and encouragement from his Milwaukee friend, Jim Hoehn, a delightful singer-songwriter/story-teller, he began a cd of original work. He has had the opportunity to work with many fine artists who have complemented him with their voices and their instrumentation. On the cd he was joined by his old friends Mike Stowe and Gretchen Steinmetz on vocals, his son, and an accomplished musician in his own right, Logan, on drums. Additionally, bass lines were provided by his engineer, Bill Dodd, his friend's son, Robert Allen, and his son Logan. His serendipitous connection to Vince Camut on pedal steel and Bob Banerjee on fiddle has rounded out the project. The cd was released 6th April 2006.

With no regular band, he connects with friends and acquaintances to play an occasional gig or open mike. Hey, this is fun; he has a full-time job. He regularly participates in the Calliope House Song Writer's Circle in Pittsburgh. He finds the assignments challenging and the range of talent in the circle an opportunity to learn and improve his skills.

Since rearing his two children he has found the time to return to song writing and playing his guitars. He is tremendously proud of his children; his eldest is a fine musician who is working full time to make music his career. His youngest is a full time college student enrolled in an honors college. She is also a competition dancer and an excellent artist and photographer.