The Beatles defined what I knew and liked about music when I was a child. Since then it's been quite a ride getting from there to here. Guitar wasn't something that was taught in school back then, so I chose to play saxophone just to be in a band. I started teaching myself guitar about a month before my 13th birthday, so I was lucky enough to be educated on two basically parallel tracks - jazz sax and rock guitar.
Some of the musicians that have changed my way of thinking along the way include Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen, Jerry Garcia and The Grateful Dead, Richard Thompson, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Ravi Shankar, Francis Cabrel, and Bongo Barry Bernstein.
As far as the things that influence what I do now and how I write, that seems to change almost every time I pick up an instrument. Whether one is playing country, jazz, rock and roll, folk, celtic or classical, it's still the same twelve notes.
Sounds Like
I have no idea who you could compare my singing voice to, but just recently a gal with REALLY captivating eyes told me I sounded like Gerry Rafferty, back when he sang "Stuck In The Middle With You" with Stealers Wheel, so I'll happily go along with that. I was also told once by a friend that he thought I sounded like Johnny Rivers, although I've never done "The Poor Side of Town" or "Summer Rain" in a set.
Put a guitar in any two person's hands and the sounds will come out different almost every time. Tell you what - listen to the stuff on the player and you tell me who I sound like. If what you say is interesting enough, perhaps I'll plug your quote in right here.
Welcome to my corner of the music universe. It's good of you to drop by today!
- A BIT OF BIO INFORMATION -
I have played music around these parts probably longer than it is fashionable to admit in public. Experience can be a good thing when looking for someone like a mountain guide or bus driver, so I'll gladly cop to all the experience I've had, or at least those that can be discussed in polite company.
In the "what have you done for me lately?" category, since the turn of the millenium I have gigged as a member of The Schwag, The New Alligators, and Kasey Rausch and Friends . In previous incarnations as a solo acoustic artist, I've had the pleasure of opening for acts as diverse as Johnny Clegg and Savuka, David Allan Coe, John Kay and Steppenwolf, and Roger McGuinn, to name a few.
These days I keep steady company with some long time musical compadres here in Lawrence, KS, USA. I am co-leader of an acoustic Beatles project called Vera, Chuck and Dave. I am also a member of the psychedelic Celtic rock ensemble Uncle Dirtytoes, which still manages to convene several times a year.
Times being what they are, I find myself these days ready to wear about any old hat that will still fit. I play electric lead guitar pretty darned good, even if I do say so myself. Finding the right "for hire" or collaborative situation can sometimes be a challenge, so I plan to get myself off the couch over the next few weeks and hit about as many open mics and open jams as I can.
I remain interested in doing what I can to honor the muse as a solo performer. One thing about working alone is that you never have to worry about what other trips or time commitments the players you work with are dealing with. They say he who travels fastest, travels alone.
You can find my contact info in one of the photo albums, if you prefer to make contact outside of the wonderful realm of MySpace.
ABOUT THE MUSIC ON THIS PAGE -
The songs on the music player are either selections from the CD "Season Of Change" that I recorded with Megan Hurt in 1995; songs from an unfinshed solo project from 1998; or recent solo acoustic recordings from Fall of 2008.
IF YOU ARE A CLUB OWNER, A BOOKING AGENT, or some other kind of person who is here today on business, please feel free to drop me a line and let me know what's on your mind. I'm just trying to keep the customer satisfied.
Here's a selected band history, in reverse chronological order:
PRESENT - solo / Vera, Chuck and Dave / Uncle Dirtytoes
2007-2008 - Kasey Rausch and Friends
2006-2007 - The New Alligators - Grateful Dead tribute
2000-2004 - The Schwag - Grateful Dead tribute
1998-2000 - Chill Factor - guitar based jam tunes
1995-1999 - The Deal (Lawrence, KS)- Grateful Dead tribute
1994-1997 - Darrell Lea and Megan Hurt - original acoustic folk, guitar and violin duo
1989-1994 - L.A. Ramblers - was Grateful Dead, then became original jam rock
1986-88 - The Red Zone - Grateful Dead, Little Feat, etc.
1985 - Redhammer - electric blues
1983-84 - The Heart Of Gold Band - Grateful Dead tribute
1979-83 - Tofu Teddy (and the Brown Rice Cow People) - hard to describe - hippie dance band with a sense of humor
1979 - Larry Shortt and the L & L Expansion Band - Elvis Presley tribute and 70's country/pop - a real resume builder, that one...
You should drop by sometime and check out the great deals we have on recording packages. Feel free to take a listen to some of the recordings we have done and leave a comment. We would love to hear from you!
Good day, Darrell. Just a quick shout to let you know I am looking forward to another Tribal Stomp. I will be there at noon with bells and camera on. Hope all is well on your side of the street. As always, Peace. Andy
hey darrell, wanted to say thanks for adding TOEJAM to your friends list. hope some of your deadhead friends will stop by and check us out sometime. take care, harold
NEW TRACKS POSTED!!! BRAND NEW SONGS!!! HEAR what we have been doing in the studio. The rest are being tracked. Tell us what you THINK. Tell your FRIENDS. ADD a song to your profile and help spread the sounds. THANKS for the ad.
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