Mr. Neil Young (first songs i learned to play/sing using a book), Mr. T Bone Burnett (his self titled cd grabbed me at the bargin shelf many moons back...and just wouldn't let go...never even heard of the guy...talk about gems...it was the first album i was able to figure out chords and play to on my own...best $5 i've ever spent)...Legends in my mind along with: Willis Allen Ramsey, Townes van Zandt, Hank Williams, Mr John R Cash and Mr Doc Watson (made up my mind it was ok to be a flat picker after seeing him and merle around the same time i was learning those neil songs...and for sure i ain't the flat picker he is)...jeff zurhide was the first guy that let me jam along and taught me lot's of basic tricks...mike goodwin taught me the pentatonic scales...and ed antonelli taught me theory...
"what you wain't for boy" my good friend mr frank brown spoke those words to me after i finally got 'round to play'n a couple songs for him...i can still see the sparkle in his tired old eyes as he spoke... frank drove a bus for mr bb king back in the day... met him at a blues festival years ago and he was a special friend... we took in lots of shows together... but i only played for frank once... he was staying with me for a bit... about three years back and becoming painfully obvious that he wouldn't be able to take care of himself much longer... anyway, after supper one night he pointed to my guitar and asked "why you ain't played me no songs on that thing?"... after obliging his request with two originals.... there was a long pause... he was sitting on the couch... a quiet sparkle of surprise in his eyes followed by that sweet stern look he'd give when he wanted to be taken seriously... the silence lingered... his gaze full of sincerity and wonder and love... with a touch of angry listen up... looking deep into my soul... in a pitch rising with tender firmness he slowly spoke..."what you wait'n for boy"...frank passed a couple of years later and those words returned louder and clearer...more nudge than question... they became frank's parting gift to me... along with the fire his passing put in my belly...i ain't wait'n no more...on track and dreaming true...see you soon... dale
update 2009 - 4 years have past since since beginning this journey...and what a trip it's been...there's a self-produced home studio CD called "what you wait'n for boy" along with a song by the same name that was completely reworked for an 8 song studio EP titled "never the same way twice"...and i've left a trail of them performing from portland, maine to mobile, alabama via asheville, nashville, memphis and new orleans...in honor of mr frank...and dreaming true...
along the way i've met so many kind people and fellow dreamtruers who's support and example helped me learn that the universe isn't just ready to help us materialize our dreams...it's actually counting on us to realize them...because when we pursue our dreams we light up this world and when we don't pursue them darkness moves in...
i am so grateful to mr frank and all of you for your continued and growing presence in my dreams true...
Your new digs sounds fabulous. Have tix for The Machine-Pink Floyd cover band at the new Tupelo. I am eager to check out the new venue. Perhaps we'll see you there?
Hey Dale - Hope you can come out to one of the shows. I saw you moved out to Manchester-by-the-Sea - beautiful place! An old close friend of mine from Haverhill (and former musician) moved there not long ago - his name Francis Cleary. Its a small town - maybe you'll run into him...
Dale, you will forever be known as "The Cool Guy with The Hat". It was great meeting you last weekend. Thanks for listening and all your kind words. I'm feelin the love!!! I'm sure I'll see you around again sometime. I'll definately catch you at the Tupelo open mic, if not this week, very soon...
Hey Dale! It was great to meet you. We ended up being booked at another venue at 10 that night (The Space) and were bummed to miss you. I hope it went well. See you if we come out East!
hi Dale!! hope you can come to the roller derby next week ...saturday 3/21 at shriners auditorium, wilmington. gimme a shout when you get a chance!! :)
Dale, great as always to hear you trot out new songs at Tupelo last night. I appreciate how you work and work and work the poetry; it was fun discussing at my pad the other day about how it can take a lot of agonizing to find the right color for just one word. . . Keep enjoying. Hope there are lots of good gigs out in Oregon eager to have the exotic east coast minstrel who traveled far to play their festival. . . and that it's. . . seminal. --Ellis
Dale, I enjoyed hearing you at Rhythm Cafe last night. I was treated to good music as well as good food there, thanks to you. Love the new songs, and loved hearing some familiar ones too. Your whole set was full of a good energy. And I can only envy you when the women in the audience can't resist getting up to join you at the mike. Keep on keepin' on. --Ellis
