Heir apparent to Chet Atkins

Gary Walker · Post by **Gary Walker** » 31 Jul 2002 7:59 pm

Over the years there has been an emergence of a super picker that has taken the gaunlet that Chet left. That man seems to be the great Doyle Dykes. His appearances on the Opry such as June 29th and his increasing presence in concerts and workshops around the world has guitar fans as well as Chet Atkins fans, singing the praises of this giant of the guitar. He didn't just arrive but has been around honing his craft as early as his days playing guitar with Grandpa Jones in the 70s. His art began to emerge in the 90s and came to the attention of Taylor Guitar as well as G & L, Rivera Amps and a host of other related companies wishing his work on their products.
He was asked to play the Opry on the 1 year anniversary of Chet's passing plus the funeral service for Chet and is an annual player for the CAAS(Chet convention) and has amassed a growing fan base.
His latest CD "Country Fried Pickin'" is a wonderful variety of tunes done in his own style as well as the Chet tradition. With a team of Nashville's finest, some of which is Paul Franklin, Duane Eddy, Stuart Duncan and Jimmie Capps and others make this one hot demonstration of the passing of the baton to a worthy recipient. Go to DoyleDykes.com and order this and you'll love every minute of it, if you are a Chet fan like I am.

John Bechtel · Post by **John Bechtel** » 31 Jul 2002 8:58 pm

Gary; You are 100% correct. I play steel guitar and some rhythm, but no lead, however; Doyle Dykes is by far the greatest guitar player of that style that I have ever heard!(BAR NONE) No punn intended. John

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 1 Aug 2002 5:55 am

Doyle is great.
Have you heard Tommy Emmanuel???????
HOLY COW

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2000 Fessenden S-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro[This message was edited by Larry Bell on 01 August 2002 at 07:02 AM.]

Frank Estes · Post by **Frank Estes** » 1 Aug 2002 6:20 am

How about Thom Bresh?

http://www.bresh.com/

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 1 Aug 2002 6:50 am

Frank,
I love Bresh's playing, but both these guys are in a different league.

I watched Tommy E play 'Lady Madonna' and 'Day Tripper' as a medley on 'Mountain Stage' the other night and he played all the instrumental parts, PLUS the vocal medley -- AND THEN SOME.

He's from Australia and is truly amazing, as is Doyle Dykes. Not to take anything away from Thom Bresh who can capture the Merle Travis vibe better than anyone alive.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2000 Fessenden S-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 1 Aug 2002 8:05 am

Thom Bresh who can capture the Merle Travis vibe better than anyone alive.

That he is Merle's son doesn't hurt either.

Gary Walker · Post by **Gary Walker** » 1 Aug 2002 8:19 am

As a friend of Doyle, I have enjoyed watching him go from what he claimed to be "The most unknown guitar player in the world" rise to the level of World-Class. Another wonderful thing about Doyle, his family is also world-class. He writes tunes about his one and only wife, his guitar bears the logo of a story his oldest daughter inspired. His next eldest Daughter Holli not only is a fine muscian but takes care of the web site and handles so much of the DD business and the youngest daughter Miss Haley plays the mandolin and sings like the pro she is. These young Dykes are the sweetest kids you'll ever meet including the youngest, Caleb, the only boy amongst these girls, all very loving and respectful. Dads are expected to feed their kids but these guys all thank their dad when they dine out, what a refreshing relationship. This all speaks of super parents. This on top of a super talent sures stands out in this day and age. Just thought I would add to an already great topic. If Doyle couldn't play a lick, knowing the Doyle Dykes family would be a treasure in itself, thanks, Gary.

Gary Walker · Post by **Gary Walker** » 1 Aug 2002 8:27 am

I might add, that these other great pickers mentioned are also super talents and are deserving of great praise, but Chet was quoted as saying that there are three people in the world he would pay to go see and Doyle Dykes was one of them. I don't know who the other two are and they may be these others.

Joel Glassman · Post by **Joel Glassman** » 1 Aug 2002 10:31 am

I read an interview with Chet, and I believe he put Evan Marshall and Mark O'Connor in that class. Marshall is a mandolin player who plays in a solo style with counterpoint using only a flat pick. He's an unbelievable player, and records for Rounder.
http://www.bridgesoforangecounty.com/bios.html#evan

Gary Walker · Post by **Gary Walker** » 1 Aug 2002 1:04 pm

Thanks Joel for the rest of the list. Pretty great company, I'd say.

Paul Graupp · Post by **Paul Graupp** » 1 Aug 2002 1:58 pm

Gary; I still recall that story about the White Rose and how it became that guitar logo. Surely a story that bears repeating here but I can't recall the details well enough to do that. And his story about the first time he played the Opry and flubbed How Great Thou Art is another classic. Good music; good guitars (Taylor) and good folks.
That just about says it all !!

Regards, Paul

[This message was edited by Paul Graupp on 01 August 2002 at 02:59 PM.]

Jim Vogan · Post by **Jim Vogan** » 1 Aug 2002 3:06 pm

This link will tell the story about the White Rose http://www.doyledykes.com/wrheidi.htm

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Jim Vogan Emmons Sd10 Stereo steel Amp

Gary Walker · Post by **Gary Walker** » 1 Aug 2002 5:19 pm

Jim and Paul, I've heard Doyle tell the "White Rose For Heidi" dozens of times and I never tire of hearing it over again. Thanks Jim for the link for those you haven't yet heard it.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 2 Aug 2002 5:21 pm

No doubt about it...he's a picker!

It takes quite a lot to impress me, but Doyle does it, in spades. He may never achieve the fame and fortune that Chet had, but I think he is well on his way to be the new "Mr. Guitar"...surpassing even Chet's great abilities.

Gary Walker · Post by **Gary Walker** » 3 Aug 2002 6:59 am

Donny, I couldn't have said it better.

Michael Wilson · Post by **Michael Wilson** » 9 Aug 2002 7:15 am

I played with a guitar player in San Diego, Ca. years ago named Merv Cook, and if you closed your eyes and listened to him play you'd swear you were listening to Chet Atkins. His style, finesse, and sound were superb. He was the only person I ever new that could play that good besides Chet himself. I always had a great deal of respect for him. A superb musician and person.