Doyle Dykes

(as sent to Guelph Tribune)

Doyle Dykes Awes at Folkway Music
Thursday, September 14

Like a number of great guitarists, Doyle Dykes, seems blessed with a natural affinity for playing, which he has developed into virtuosic technique through years of hard work and dedication. He recently demonstrated his skills at Folkway Music, and also told some interesting stories to about 70 people seated inside the guitar covered walls of Guelph's revered music shop.
He mentioned appearances he'd enjoyed making on the Opry, and while demonstrating an ability to emulate the double melody playing style of Chet Atkins, he explained that when Atkins passed, the Opry asked him to close a special tribute show in honor of the late guitar legend. Doyle treated listeners at Folkway to banjo runs, Beatles medlies and other unique and varied arrangements. His talent goes well beyond the kind of technical prowess that comes with practice and repetition, because his breathtaking speed and dazzling dynamics transformed the guitars he was demonstrating into emotionally powerful tools for communication.

Eventually he invited his beautiful mandolin playing, sweet voiced daughter on stage to sing for a couple numbers, and together they created even more magic. There were prizes for trivia questions to close out the night, and it was easy to see why Doyle is a guitar hero to thousands of players -- he communicates so much personal sheer guitar enthusiasm! He quoted Doc Watson saying he probably would have been an Engineer, but for his blindness - making the point that it was such hardship that shaped such awesome ability. Doyle relished the example that sometimes life has plans for you that you may not understand, suggesting you must trust you will come to see the blessing. Talk about inspiration! Folkway Music delighted the community by hosting yet another wonderful workshop.