Doyle Dykes
Chet Atkins once said he sincerely admires Doyle Dykes as a person and a musician. He also said that Doyle was the only musician that he would pay to go see. Doyle‘s love for God, family, and the guitar, translates into an experience that touches people in every corner of the globe.
He has performed on nearly every continent and in just about every venue imaginable--including NAMM, Music Messe, and Music China Shanghai, the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society, Muriel Anderson’s All-Star Guitar Night, Sweetwater Music Clinics, and the Mike Huckabee show to name a few.
And there’s no greater testimony to the universal appeal of his music than noting it’s been featured at Disney’s California Adventures, Hobby Lobby, United Airlines, Air Canada—and the Space Shuttle Atlantis during its September 2000 mission.
How else does one explain honors like a brick in the center of the Wall of Fame at the Cavern Club in Liverpool (made famous by the Beatles).
Doyle has seventeen albums to his credit, featuring friends and fellow guitarists Duane Eddy, Eric Johnson, Tommy Emmanuel, Steve Wariner, Phil Keaggy and Jimmy Capps.
Doyle was inducted into the National Thumbpickers Hall of Fame (2014), as well as being chosen as their Fingerpicker of the Year (2019), and the International Country Gospel Music Association’s choice of Doyle as their Instrumentalist of the Year and Hall of Fame inductee.
Roy Clark described Doyle’s talent as “exceptional.” He said “we are all blessed he shares his life and talent with us,” and that “When I grow up I want to be just like Doyle (and play like him, too).”
Judging from the list of guitar greats who have played with him-- Duane Eddy, Peter Frampton, Vince Gill, John Fogerty, David Pack (Ambrosia), Larry Carlton, Steve Vai, Eric Johnson, James Burton, Steve Wariner, Laurence Juber, Tommy Emmanuel, Mason Williams, Thom Bresh, Phil Keaggy, Les Paul and Ricky Skaggs—to name a few—it’s no wonder Guitar World Magazine lists him as a “superpicker” along with Tommy Emmanuel, Lenny Breau, Chet Atkins, and Merle Travis.
Doyle Dykes (born May 23, 1954) is a native of Jacksonville, Florida. He hails from an accomplished musical family. His father (referred to as Bubba Dykes) was a guitar player, his brother Aubrey a piano player, his grandfather a church choir director for thirty years, and his uncle Doyle “Smitty” Smith (for whom he’s named), played with Roy Clark, Jimmy Dean, Grandpa Jones, Chubby Wise, “Little” Jimmy Dickens, Eddie Arnold, and many others .
He cites June 1965 during his church's "summer revival" as the moment he became a lifelong Christian.
As an 11-year-old boy, he saw "the lights of salvation, and a new purpose and desire for my life, and since that day, I've never been the same".
By eighteen, he was invited to play with JD Sumner and the Stamps Quartet. Shortly thereafter, he was lead guitarist for Grandpa Jones at the Grand Ole Opry and did session work in Nashville.
To this day, he is a regular guest on the Opry, whose respect for him was perhaps best expressed when they asked him to play a medley of Chet Atkins’ hits on TNN’s nationally televised broadcast of Chet’s memorial service.
Discography
Doyle has seventeen albums to his credit, featuring friends and fellow guitarists Duane Eddy, Eric Johnson, Tommy Emmanuel, Steve Wariner, Phil Keaggy and Jimmy Capps.
One of his most prized guitars is a 1940's D-45 that once belonged to his uncle Doyle, also known as Smitty Smith. Upon Roy's death, it was returned to Doyle by Roy's wife Barbara. You can hear Doyle talk about this incredible D45, as well as some of his other instruments here.
When his uncle Smitty passed, Doyle inherited that guitar, and eventually gave the guitar to Roy Clark in 1988.
Doyle was a major endorser and featured clinician of Taylor Guitars for many years. According to owner Bob Taylor, "If I had to pick the artist who most represented the Taylor Guitars brand and who has done the most for us, I would say Doyle Dykes."
He has also designed signature guitars with, Guild (Fender now CMG ) and Godin Guitars (with whom he currently has several signature models).
He has co-designed amplifiers with Rivera, and retains long time endorsements and/or designs from some of the largest companies in the music industry such as Gretsch, GHS Strings, ZOOM, and Shubb Capos.
He is also a published author (The Lights of Marfa/ Moody Publishing)
Ever the family man, Doyle and his high school sweetheart Rita have been married for over fifty years. They reside in Tennessee and have four children and five grandchildren.
Be sure to visit Doyles web site at https://www.doyledykes.com/
Also be sure to check out his youtube channel where you will hear some of Doyle's incredible playing as well as a weekly show he hosts every Sunday called "Sunday String Along" where he performs a few special songs, and shares words of inspiration from the Bible.
Doyle has three Olson guitars in his arsenal. The first one was purchased in 2014. I consider him one of my very good friends, and brother in the Lord. I am so fortunate to have him in my life.
Jim Olson
