Bio
Doyle Dykes is a guitar legend in the making. Although influenced by a wide variety of musical styles and musicians from the country of Chet Atkins to the rock and roll of Duane Eddy and the Beatles, Doyle has developed a distinct, recognizable sound that amazes audiences with skill while capturing hearts with sincerity and soul.
Doyle’s appreciation for various styles of music is reflected in his albums as they include signature compositions like “Jazz in the Box” and “Martha’s Kitchen” and hymns like the powerful “How Great Thou Art.” Gitarre 2000 was released by BMG on Windham Hill Records, and Doyle’s music has appeared on several of the label’s compilation albums like Here, There, and Everywhere (a tribute to the Beatles). In addition, Doyle’s music has been heard on United Airlines, Air Canada, NPR’s Morning News and All Things Considered, Disney’s California Adventure, and even the Space Shuttle Atlantis in September, 2000.
Doyle’s early years as a guitarist took him around the world as he toured with The Stamps Quartet and later with Grand Ole Opry Star, Grandpa Jones. Doyle has since returned to the Grand Ole Opry for numerous performances, many appearing live on national television. As an endorser and clinician for Taylor Guitars, Doyle has designed a very successful signature guitar. The Doyle Dykes Signature Model Taylor guitar (“DDSM”) features an amplification system by L.R. Baggs, deemed as the Doyle Dykes Hexaphonic Pickup System. Doyle also helped design his signature Rivera amplifier, called the Sedona, designed to accommodate both electric and acoustic instruments. Doyle’s signature instruments and equipment have influenced the musical instrument industry on a global basis.
Doyle performs in venues ranging from Theatres, Bluegrass festivals, and churches, to major Conventions, such as the NAMM Show (Anaheim, CA and Nashville, TN), the Musikmesse (largest music trade show in the world; Frankfurt, Germany), Music Live (UK), and the National Executive Institute, which is made up of honored FBI Agents, major city Police Chiefs, and Law Enforcement Officers from around the world. Internationally, Doyle attracts record audiences in many Continents around the world. Whether to a guitar player or music enthusiast, Doyle’s music will make a lasting impression on anyone given the opportunity to listen.
Highlights in Doyle's Career
~ Awarded a brick in the Wall of Fame at "The Cavern Club" in Liverpool, England.
~ Performed and interviewed by the very popular Big George on the BBC (UK).
~ Performed and interviewed by "Steve and Johnnie" on WGN Chicago Radio (in-studio).
~ Played on stage with Les Paul, Chet Atkins, Duane Eddy, Peter Frampton, John Fogerty, Vince Gill, and many others.
~ Played a special tribute to Chet Atkins at the Grand Ole Opry that aired multiple times on national television.
~ Performed a concert tour, including the Florida Theatre, accompanied by a String Orchestra with Composer and Conductor, Tom Keene.
Quotes
Vintage Guitar Magazine Interview with Chet Atkins:
VG "You've played and recorded with so many of the greats, is there anybody out there that you personally would pay to go see?"
CA "People like Doyle Dykes, who is just an amazing finger picker, I think."
Musicians:
"Doyle is one of the finest fingerpicking guitarists around. I sincerely admire him as a person and as a musician." Chet Atkins, CGP
"I've been fortunate enough to know Doyle and his great guitar playing for quite some time. In a word, he is absolutely a MONSTER!!" Steve Wariner
"Doyle's clever use of dynamics, the warm tone he achieves with an acoustic guitar and his exceptional skill with the instrument is wonderful to hear...He is one of the most fantastic players I have heard in years." Duane Eddy
"Magnificent chops, refined musicianship and tons of personality!" Laurence Juber
Music Industry:
"As owner of Taylor Guitars, I have the privilege of working with many fine guitar players. Never has anyone caught my attention like Doyle Dykes. His guitar playing is the most expert I've heard, and yet his listeners don't have to be guitar enthusiasts to know that they're listening to someone very special." Bob Taylor, President of Taylor Guitars
"Doyle Dykes is not only a great fingerstyle guitarist, but is a good friend as well. I'm proud that he plays one of my guitars." Kirk Sand, Sand Guitars
"Doyle has a mastery of fingerstyle guitar playing unlike anyone else I have ever heard. His ability and technique continue to amaze me every time I see him play." Russ McFee, GHS Strings
Music Media:
"Doyle Dykes is one of the most convincing cross-genre fingerstylists today. He successfully metes out Jazz, Latin, Gospel, Hawaiian, and Country arrangements from his nylon and steel-string guitars with equal grace and aplomb. But grace is only one facet of Doyle's talents. He also brings an incredible virility and indefatigable fire to his music, which makes listening to his arrangements an exhausting but satisfying experience." Jon Chappell, Editor-in-Chief, Guitar Magazine
"I thought it was impossible, but Doyle Dykes has raised the standard. Amazing guitarmanship. Imaginative arrangements. Great sound." John Schroeter, John August Music
"There are good fingerpickers, great fingerpickers, and then Doyle Dykes. This amazing guitarist brings the art of fingerstyle to new levels of technical and creative brilliance. For fingerstyle fans, it doesn't get any better than this." Pete Prown, Editor-in-Chief, Guitar Shop Magazine
"Many of today's virtuosos get their tone wrong and then everything else is reduced to mathematical finger exercises. Dykes gets the tone right, which makes everything else possible, which is a lot. Somewhere between Chet Atkins and Leo Kottke, he is fast, accurate, and warm. Amazing technique, cheerful melodies, plenty of drive, minimal abstraction." Charles M. Young, Musician Magazine
*Click here for a printable bio.
FAQs
What is the story of White Rose for Heidi?
Click here to read the story.
What type of pick does Doyle use?
What type of pickup does Doyle use?
Doyle uses an L.R. Baggs Hex Pickup (Signature Pickup for Doyle), which has six individual height-adjustable pickups for steel or nylon-string acoustic guitar.
What are the tunings to Doyle's songs?
Click here to see Doyle's tunings.
Gear
Under construction....
Discography
*with song lists (and tunings).
Chameleon (2004)
Too Happy Blues (Standard)
Bye Bye Blues (Standard)
U2 Medley (D G D G B E)
Return to Avalon (Standard)
Coldplay Medley (Drop 'D')
Three Chords and a Cloud of Dust (Standard)
Tenderly (Standard)
While My Guitar Gently Weeps (Standard) (12 string)
Music of the Night (C G D G B E)
Superstition (Standard)
Let Me Fall (C G D G B E)
Over the Rainbow (Standard)
Be Still (Drop 'D')
Songs of Faith and Freedom (2003)
It is Well (Standard)
My Jesus I Love Thee / Holy, Holy, Holy (C G D G B E)
A Call to Freedom (D A D G B E)
The Patriotic Medley (Standard)
He / He Touched Me (D A D G B E)
In the Garden (Standard)
Amazing Grace (D A D G B E)
Holy Ground (D A D G B E)
God Bless America (Standard)
Beyond Our Highest Dreams (Standard)
What a Friend We Have in Jesus(D A D G B E)
Softly and Tenderly / Lord I'm Coming Home (Standard)
This is My Task (Standard)
In Moments Like These (D A D G B E)
The Cross Medley (Standard)
Softly and Tenderly Reprise (Standard)
Country Fried Pickin' (2001)
Wabash Cannonball (D G D G A D)
Martha's Kitchen (Standard)
Country Fried Pickin' (Standard)
The Chet Medley (Standard)
Duane Thang (Standard)
Me n' Jesus and My Old Guitar (*Tuned one step high on a Baby Taylor. F# B E A D flat F#, or use a capo on the 2nd fret in Standard Tuning.)
Grandpa Jones' Medley (Standard)
I've Heard That Song Before (Standard)
Avalon (Standard)
Peace Over Shanghai (Standard)
Three Little Miracles (C G D G B E)
Smoke Gets In Your Eyes (Standard)
Zelf: A Self Portrait on Guitar (2000)
Howling of the Wood (C F C F C F)
The Wings of the Morning (Standard)
Self Portrait on Acoustic Guitar (Standard)
Misty Nights in Tokyo (Standard with a Drop D on the Bass)
Love Will Keep Us Alive (Standard with a Drop D on the Bass and an F# on the G String)
Birmingham Steele (D G D G A D)
The Changing of the Guard (C G D G B E)
Self Portrait on Nylon-String Guitar (Standard)
The Jawbone (Standard)
That's All (D G D G B E)
Self Portrait on Jazz Guitar (Standard)
O Holy Night(C G D G B E)
Precious Name O How Sweet / Great is Thy Faithfulness (Standard)
Music of the Night Ships (C G D G B E)
Gitarre 2000 (1998)
Gitarre 2000(Standard)
Nothing's Too Good (For a Friend) (Standard)
White Rose for Heidi (C G D G B D)
Girl (Standard)
The Road Back Home (Standard)
Loving Rita (Standard)
Caleb's Report (D G D G B E)
Shadows of the Heart (Standard)
Passings(C G D G B E)
The Lord's Prayer (C G D G B E)
Angels' Desire (D G D G B E)
The Visitation (C G D G B E)
H.E.A.T. (1997)
Hurricanes, Earthquakes, and Tomatoes (D G D G B E)
Celtic Cowboy (D G D G A D)
Loving Rita (Standard)
"Bubba" GAD (D A D G A D)
Hero Sandwich (Standard)
And Can It Be (Standard with a Drop D on the Bass)
Shadows of the Heart (Standard)
Battle in the Valley of Elah (C F C F C F)
The Visitation (C G D G B E)
The Road Back Home (Standard)
Angels' Desire (D G D G B E)
The Lord's Prayer (C G D G B E)
Fingerstyle Guitar (1996)
Twin Six Shooters (Standard)
Jazz in the Box (Standard)
Laguna Sand (D A D F# B E)
Doerita Forever (Standard)
Caleb's Report (D G D G B E)
The Great Roundup (D A D G A D)
White Rose for Heidi (C G D G B D)
How Great Thou Art (Standard)
Mana Melody (C G D G B E)
Zaccheus (D G D G B D)
Mission of St. Holli (Standard)
Miss Haley's Music Box (Standard with a Drop D on the Bass)
Amazing Grace (Standard with a Drop D on the Bass)
Dust in the Wind (Standard)
White Rose for Heidi (Acoustic Version) (C G D G B D)
One More Night / Groovy Kind of Love (Standard with a Drop D on the Bass)
*All of Doyle's CDs (except Gitarre 2000, which is available in itunes) are available at doylestore.com.