Hello from Doyle
December 26, 2009
Doyle with grandsons, Drew (left), and Lennon (right).
Howdy folks! As many of you know, I normally make a little Christmas video greeting on my website. This year I just got in around 8:30 AM on Christmas day after flying all night from CA and driving in from Atlanta. I've lost my voice but not my Christmas spirit! I'm having a wonderful time this Christmas as my entire family is here at our home in Cleveland, TN. My daughter and son-in-law, Tom, drove the 500 mile trip from FL with our grandson, Drew, and daughter, Miss Haley. Holli and "Boomer" (Lucas, my other son-in- law) came over with our newest grandson, Lennon. It was his first Christmas. He had a Santa suit on and grinned so big when he got his first toy from Poppy and Mimi! I have to admit, I love to buy presents for my family at Christmas. In fact, I'll buy things even for my son and son-in-laws that I'd never buy for myself. Did they earn it? No. Do they deserve it? I think so. That is one way I show my love and appreciation for all of my family. That, to me, is a good way to share the spirit of Christmas. It's all about giving and being together. None of us deserve this, but it's nice to experience. I don't think I deserve my son-in-law driving all the way up from FL mainly for us to see them. But I'll take it! HA!
The Bible reads in John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He GAVE His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." God gave us His only Son for us... not that we deserved it or earned it, but because He loves us. It was for that reason that Jesus died for our sins and also because it was the will of His father. God wanted a family and that's the way it happens, because none of us can pay our debt to sin as we were born in sin. It's a beautiful story. So yeah, I'd never spend the amount of money on myself for a wallet or for a piece of luggage, but I'd do that for my family. It's that kind of commemorating spirit that Christmas is all about. God sent His son as a gift. Jesus gave Himself as a gift. That's why I want to give "myself" to Christ because I can't give anymore than that. It's all I have. Jesus gave all and so I, in return, give Him my all. My time, my talent, my finances... all that I have.
This year may have been different for a lot of you. Many of my friends have lost their jobs and no doubt are struggling. Christmas may have been a struggle because of the amount of money spent. That's not the issue. I go out of my way to even buy a special key chain or a belt or shirt that I know my wife or kids would want. That's the thing. Going out of the way to pick up something or even taking a special effort to call or write or pay a visit. Please take a little more effort to show love this year. I wish I had more time to visit with my family. I've only been home 3 days since Thanksgiving but that's the way we live. I give a lot of time and myself all over the country and sometimes in different parts of the world. I don't think the good Lord expects that out of everyone, but I do think you should be willing to go out of your way to show the spirit of giving.
Christmas day for 2009 is gone forever, but the joy and the spirit of giving is still with us. As Brad Paisley sings about Christmas night after all the presents have been opened and he's relaxing on the couch in the ambiance of the Christmas tree lights... "there's only 364 days to go."
May the spirit and the joy of Christmas be with you today and throughout the coming year.
Let's also remember our troops all over the world as well as those not far from us and especially the folks who've lost their loved ones at war or in service of our country. How much have they given for our country? Everything.
Love and peace!
Doyle
November 30, 2009
Hi Folks! What an exciting Fall I've had this year! I'm on the cover of Christian Musician Magazine and have also been featured in Vintage Guitar earlier on. By the way, I'm still in UK's Acoustic Magazine and have been for five years now. Recently, I invited amazing fiddler and mandolinist, Andy Leftwich to play with me in Seattle at the Christian Musician Summit and the folks up there loved it! Miss Haley was also on the show and the crowd response was just awesome! Speaking of that, I asked Haley to sing with me on the Grand Ole Opry last weekend. Opry Manager Pete Fisher was watching and, as we were thanking him for letting us be on the show, he pointed to the audience and said, "Hey... a Standing 'O'!" Playing at the Grand Ole Opry is like a reward for me. I truly love playing there and seeing our friends there, as well as the great audiences the Opry draws. I've only been able to play there twice this year. I'm always thankful for each opportunity.
My touring schedule has been pretty crazy, however I've managed (with help from my friends) to have finished my new DVD, LIVE SESSIONS... People, Places, and Pickin'. I'm so excited about this video and the people who are on it! It would take several pages here to talk about all this and the great performances from some of my favorite people. I've been so fortunate to know such people as Phil Keaggy, Duane Eddy, Tommy Emmanuel and Steve Wariner and how they practically "dropped everything" and came over to record and not even have rehearsals. Few musicians could pull off something like that and we captured it on this video! Other things like my interviews with Bob Taylor and Rob Wilson and Henry Lytton Cobbold from Knebworth House in England and the artist interviews are as interesting to me as the pickin'. One of my favorite things in life is watching music DVDs, and the bonus footage is just as important to me. There's plenty of this, too! I didn't even see these interviews until we were in the final edits. There are also interviews from the Bridging the Gap sessions from Dave Pomeroy, John Gardner, Jimmy Capps and my brother, Aubrey, and Miss Haley! The entire watch is about 3 hours! You-guys are seriously gonna be "stoked" at this thing as well as I am and for good reason! It almost feels like a lifetime achievement award or something for me. I also dedicated the entire project in memory of my father who passed away a year ago. So now the talking's over... you can order them now! Many of you folks have, and for that I'm grateful, as this is the biggest project I've ever done!
Haley and I played at the Goss Opera House in Watertown, South Dakota. The new owners, David and Nancy Berry, asked if I would say a prayer of dedication, as we were the first musical guests to perform there in over 70 years. It was built in 1888. Sometimes things come along and you don't see it until it's over. Looking back, there was a greater reason for us being there. That community will be elevated to a new level as they're going to have artists, actors and musicians from around the world, and we were a part of a new beginning of a dream from long ago. Some things get resurrected because someone gets a vision and invests in it. I hope you'll make a conscious decision to invest in things for yourself and your community that will make a positive change. Our world needs visionaries... locally as well as globally. They all work the same... from the inside out.
I hope you all enjoy this Holiday Season! There are lots of ways to celebrate Christmas. May the spirit of giving be seen in all of us... from the inside out!
Merry Christmas!
Doyle
September 27, 2009
Hi Folks... Isn't it amazing that it's already Fall in 2009! I've had such a busy and incredible Summer, and it seems I've had so much going on I don't know where to start. NOT! I have a brand new grandson!!! William Lennon Brown was born in Chattanooga, TN on August 31st... weighing in at 8 lbs 9 oz. My daughter, Holli, and her husband, Lucas or "Boomer" as I call him, are very proud parents and are all doing well. As you know, I'm a proud grandpa and this new addition to our family came at a perfect time. (And yes, he was born with a thumbpick on his thumb!)
The James Burton Festival also went great this year. I had the chance to hang out with Junior Brown, Steve Lukather, Al Dimeola, and Nokie Edwards, as well as many other special guests that gave their best to honor James on his 70th birthday. I don't know of any person or people in the world more deserving than the Burtons to have such great success in their own lives, and now in their foundation, as they touch the lives of thousands of kids by giving them the gift of music. They've given and distributed thousands of guitars around the country and different parts of the world. (You'll only get to know James when you meet his better half... Louise!) I'm so honored to be a part of their festival each year.
I've finally finished shooting the footage for my new DVD, Live Sessions . I'm proud to say that it has turned out even better than expected and also much different. After recently losing our hero, Les Paul, I wanted to emphasize the fact that there are some wonderful players that we can all aspire to. I decided to ask a few of my friends and players that I admire greatly to play on the DVD. The pickers include... Duane Eddy, Phil Keaggy, Tommy Emmanuel, Steve Wariner, Rob Ickes, Andy Leftwich, Aubrey Dykes (my brother), Caleb Dykes (my son), and Nashville pickers Dave Pomeroy, Jimmy Capps, and John Gardner. We had a BLAST! So cool to actually see Phil Keaggy meet Duane Eddy (his childhood hero) for the first time at the studio. We recorded at Ricky Skaggs' place and then Steve Wariner's studio for the tune we did together. I'm so excited about this project for a number of reasons. Put it this way, it's made history for me more than anyone else! I truly appreciate these guys and their families for making this happen. It takes the sacrifice and time of more than just the names of these players for happenings like this. The entire camera crew (produced by Billy Paul Jones at Skaggs' Place and Steve's) were just great! I did the last bit in the living room of our home in Cleveland, TN. I even played the banjo. (Special thanks to Greg Deering for sending me his personal Vega #2 banjo for this.)
So, I started this HFD off on family stuff with "Lil' Lenny." I'll end by saying I'm having a blast with my mom on the road for a couple of weeks. She just saw Niagara Falls for the first time today! Pretty amazing. Kind of like Lenny... Niagara Falls wets and makes some noise... but Niagara Falls can't look at me in the face like this photo!
Love to All and Happy FALL!
Doyle
August 7, 2009
Hi folks! I really have been busy this year... thanks to the good Lord! I have been on the road constantly since March, but I've really enjoyed playing and meeting so many new friends. My new CD Bridging The Gap is continuing to do well, and so I've purposely been playing a lot of new songs off this album, and many now by request, which means the albums are getting out to the people! This HFD may seem a bit like a My Space page or something... but I just thought I'd have a bit of fun and try and share some thimgs of interest.
One of the most commented on and requested songs is a song that I play and recorded on my 12 string guitar called Blue Cathedral. I recorded this song in Nashville at Playground Studios on my Taylor 6-54, which is an all black maple guitar. I also recorded On the Great North Road on this guitar and will also be featured on my new DVD. I've changed the octave strings on the A and E strings, or 5th and 6th strings respectively, so as to pick the bass string with my thumb pick first, giving (in my impression) a deeper and more full sound. This was recommended by my friend Darrell Owens in California and it works.
For those of you interested, I'm still working on my new performance DVD. Also, a new tab book is in the works with my friend, Jon Chappell, who was the genius on my last book on Albert Publishing. This new one will also be based on the CD... Bridging The Gap. We'll continue to bring information as things are happening on this project as well.
Sometimes I meet people on the road who seem to come along at just the right time in my life. Since I was a child, I've loved western clothing and especially cowboy boots. I've always dreamed of owning a pair of custom-made boots and was introduced to a fine bootmaker from San Angelo, Texas, named C.L. Wallis (cl_wallis@yahoo.com / or check him out on facebook). I was so impressed with this guy's work that I just had to share his information with you. A website is currently in the works but I've included a photo of my new boots. I've also encouraged him to make some western style cut-out guitar straps which will also be offered in the future from C.L. Wallis and also at Tarpley's Music in their San Angelo, Lubbock and Amarillo, Texas shops. I first saw C.L. Wallis' work in my cowboy boot books. He was previously one of the head designers at a famous Texas boot-maker and is now flying solo. I think I even play guitar better since I got my new boots! *Click here to see photos.
People ask me lots of questions about things like the music I listen to and what TV shows I watch and such. My favorite TV show is Cash Cab on The Discovery Channel. I've been listening to a lot of Bluegrass lately. Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder and The Del Mc Courey Band are my favorites. I eat at Bob Evans, Cracker Barrell and Chick-Fil-A a lot while on the road. I stay in Hilton Brand Hotels mostly and fly Delta 99% of the time. When I'm home, I like to have my Starbucks in the morning, just like on the road. I use the Tassimo coffee system at home since I'm gone a lot, and their coffee comes in pods. At home, I really do like to play my guitars and work on them when I need to and watch DVDs mostly (like old Westerns as well as Music DVDs), but I also love the Weather Channel and Orange County Choppers.
So, I'm just a boring sort of dude who likes the same stuff all the time because it feels safer that way. The older I get, the more boring is comforting and desirable. I also heard Pastor Greg Laurie say something like that. The feeling of home is important no matter where you are. This is why being a Christian is also a comfort, because I never feel I'm alone, even if I'm on the other side of the world. Jesus said he'd never leave us or forsake us. I believe that and only hope you folks reading will have this peace in your heart as well.
By the way... any day now and I'll have another grandchild! We're all very excited here at our house! Say a prayer for our daughter, Holli, and son 'n law, Lucas Brown, as this will be their first. I can't wait!
It is my prayer and hope that you are well and blessed and keep staying busy in your work but also enjoy life and take time for those things you love to do and be with those who you love as much as possible. As you can see... for me, the most simple things make my day. You guy's keep pickin' and come out and see us when we're around!
God Bless...
Doyle
May 28, 2009
Hello Everyone! Wow! What an exciting Spring! I've hardly stopped in the last couple of months. I've been traveling a bunch as well as working on a new
DVD project which will be based mainly around my latest album, Bridging The
Gap.
I found a week in April to go back over to the UK and do some taping there for
the DVD. My good friends, Robert and Mary Wilson, hosted me for the 5 day trip.
I stayed at their place, "Swangleys Farmhouse," (like the song I wrote for them)
in Knebworth, which is about thirty miles north of London. The first day of taping
was actually done at Knebworth House with Henry and Martha Lytton Cobbold. One of the songs on the album was also dedicated to them. In fact, it was recorded at the old horse barns on the estate. This estate has been in their family since the 1400s and is truly a piece of heaven. One can only truly appreciate the beauty of such a place if visited in person. I encourage you to do this as they give tours of the house. There have been countless movies such as Harry Potter and Tim Burton's Batman filmed there, as well as hosting huge music festivals with such bands as Led Zepplin, The Rolling
Stones and even our own Lynnrd Skynnrd from my home state of Florida.
The room I performed in was the same room that was used in the Batman movie withMichael Keaton and Kim Basinger as they were dining and could hardly hear oneanother as the room was so large and they were on opposite ends of the table. This is also the same room that Winston Churchill loved and painted a picture of, which is displayed in the room as well. After the performance shoot, we went outside for some of the beautiful gardens and shots of the exterior of the house. The next day we were up early to record At Swangleys Farm at the Wilson's place. We then took shots of the boys (their beautiful Golden Retrievers) and the girls (their egg-laying hens), with some excellent views of where I stay when I'm visiting. I also did a rare interview with my friend, Rob.
Next stop on the video trip was to shoot at St. Mary's Church, which is on the estate grounds of Knebworth House. The church was first started around 1200 A.D., and the building was added on through the years. There I recorded On the Great North Road, as well as Blue Cathedral. I also recorded The Patriotic Medley, The Lord's Prayer and What A Friend We Have In Jesus, some of which I recorded on a borrowed Liberty Tree guitar from my English friend, Laurence, which there again goes with the title of Bridging The Gap, as the Liberty Trees were a part of
both our history.
After such a nice stay in England, I was out on the road again and took a day at the Taylor Guitars factory to interview Bob Taylor and Tim Loranc at the R. Taylor factory facility. There I saw "on camera" my new R. Taylor style 2 (Grand Concert) guitar and played In Appalachia right there in the room where it was made. Bob and Tim are such pros and know more about guitars than I ever will. This part of the DVD will be of interest to anyone who loves guitars and appreciates the experience of getting a new one right there on camera. How Fun!
Since then, I've been playing most every night and traveling either with my son, Caleb, or daughter, Miss Haley. Caleb and I recently played at the Christian Musician's Summit hosted by Christian Musician Magazine. Some of the finest musicians in the world were there, including Abraham Laboriel, Greg Bissenet, Lincoln Brewster and Brenton Brown.
Haley and I also just returned from my home state of Florida, where I played at the Florida Folk Festival at the famous Stephen Foster (Way Down Upon The Swannee
River) Memorial grounds. It was my birthday. What a wonderful day is was. The event is funded by the state of Florida, and I must say was probably the most pleasant festival I've ever attended. The folks there really treated us nice and honored the fact that Florida is my home state where I was raised, as well as my grandparents and my
own father. I'm third generation Floridian, and Haley and Caleb are fourth.
I had the chance to visit with my mother and daughter, Heidi, and her husband, Tom Dixon, and my grandson, Drew. After the festival on Sunday, we visited my Dad's grave. Dad was such a fine guitarist and loved music and loved us. I loved him
too and miss him deeply.
I also took time to remember Ronnie Van Zant of the band, Lynnrd Skynnrd, who is buried only about a hundred yards away from Dad. When I got in last night to my home in Tennessee, I watched a Lynnrd Skynnrd DVD. Just about the entire live video was shot at the Knebworth estate in England where I did the video taping a few weeks ago. Full circles seem to come a lot in my life. I feel I'm in the right place, and my better days are still ahead. That's what my friend, David Huff, said to me recentlly. I believe him. I hope the same thing for you.
Keep picking and by all means... go out and try to make somebody else's day.
Doyle
March 12 , 2009
Hello folks! I've been so very busy lately even though our touring doesn't start until this month. I've totally enjoyed some time at home however, and it has taken time to catch up from last Fall.
Still, our feet hit the ground this year. I think we've been to Texas at least four times and California twice, as well as down in FL and a lot in between. One of the cool things is that Caleb has been tagging along and surprising folks with his picking skills. Although he's not a "Thumber" (still praying about that), he's doing some fine flat-picking and laying out some of that great "Chunk-style" rhythm, as my dad used to say. I'm thrilled that he's been more a part of my life with so much time being away from him. After recording "Bridging The Gap" at the famous producer Michael Lloyd's studio and then straight over to Saddleback Church and NAMM and all these things... he's been
broken in fast. No time to lose I say! He's going straight out from his bedroom corner to the world. That's the way it should be I think. You gotta spend time in the bedroom or whatever may be your practice room but then getting out to the public is the thing that will make you what you're supposed to be. That's my opinion. You need to share your music with others. Especially these
days!
I've met some great pickers here lately. One is Rick Mc Crae from Austin, TX who plays with George Strait and has for years. He's one of the finest Western Swing/Jazz pickers I've heard. I also met up with a fellow at NAMM who has been such a great entertainer for years... Leo Kottke. He's still such a fine player and nice guy and really encouraged my son Caleb after hearing him play. Another guy I'm a fan of and just met was Del Way, who is in Kerrville, TX. He's a country style gospel singer and a whale of a nice fellow. He also plays DDSMs. Like I said I'm a fan!
I want to say that I'm so delighted that my friend George Sabolick is doing well.
George had a massive heart attack while walking up to play at the Martin stage
at NAMM in California. He collapsed and was pronounced dead for six minutes.
Thank God for a couple of good paramedics and security folks... George's life was spared. Really, the credit goes to the good Lord who gave him a new beginning. I spoke with George yesterday and he'll be leading worship this week at his church. Martin Guitars is fortunate as well since George is one of their clinicians. Bob Taylor called and told me about it. The guitar community is a little tighter than some people may think. George has a nice family and I'm sure they're thrilled.
I'm working on a new DVD. I have several things in mind and it's coming together nicely. I'll be in the U.K. next month to do some work on it, and then in May, I'm going out to Taylor Guitars and am scheduled to do something there at the factory. I've ordered a new R.Taylor and the plan is... I'll see it for the first time, and then I'll play a few tunes on it from my new "Bridging The Gap" CD. Everyone likes to get a new guitar. You'll see me when I get mine. Can't wait.
By the way... another guy I'm a big fan of is Tommy Emmanuel. Having said this... I'm closing out for now because I'm recording with him tomorrow in Nashville. I'm still working on the song, but with Tommy... I can lean a little don't ya know!
Happy Pickings...
Doyle
January 2, 2009
Happy New Year! 2008 brought a lot of changes to my life.... some great.... some
not. I suppose it's all part of life to lose those you love. People like Artie Traum (fellow guitarist and Taylor clinician), Buddy Harmon (former staff drummer for RCA records and the Grand Ole Opry), and even my father "Bubba" Dykes who was my hero and friend as well as being my dad.
The best news however is that our daughter Holli and (former nasty-stinkin' son
n' law) Lucas Brown are going to have a baby! I'll be a grandfather again!!!!!
Life goes on. This news came at such a good time for me. When you think things
are going pretty tough.... God always has a way of easing the pressure and pain.
When I got this news, I felt as if I'd jumped into a swimming pool or something. I was refreshed in my soul!
Another great thing for me in 2008 was that I finished my record "Bridging The Gap" and got to work with Eric Johnson, Michael Lloyd, Phil Keaggy, my son Caleb and my brother Aubrey and long time friends Kent Holmes and David Huff. Now this was exciting for me!
I also put on a new guy as my manager/agent.... Mike Robertson who has done an incredible job and will continue to get me into new areas where I can meet more folks around the world. Mike is a fine Christian and a great friend. I believe 2009 will be a huge year for us because of God directing us to him. I'm also expecting to do more international dates this year as well. So, for all our friends in countries around the world.... look for me and come out and see me!I look forward to meeting a lot of new friends this year and have several new projects to complete, such as a new music book and a dvd project. I'll be in touch with details on other ideas for projects I hope to complete this year. I'm totally excited and hope to see as many of you as possible this year! I hope 2009 will be a great year for you!
Happy New Year!!!!
Doyle