Guitarist Dizzy Gillespie

In the great tradition of Texas Gunslingers and Guitarists, DIZZY G. GILLESPIE has proven worthy of his Texas roots. DIZZY has mastered both blues and rock genres. This ability makes his performances exciting and memorable.

Whether he is singing, playing the mandolin or executing a complicated guitar passage, DIZZ puts his entire heart and soul into his music. His accomplished band members compliment DIZZ’s unique style. Sometimes it seems that they all perform as one. Their synchronicity on stage is awe-inspiring.

I live in Austin, TX. and I’ve been blessed that I grew up in such a beautiful city with such a large musical following. I was sitting down at Starbucks (The Office) the other day w/ Tommy Shannon (Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Bass Player) along w/ a few other well-know musicians… Guys like Chris Layton, David Holt, Denny Freeman, Charlie & Will Sexton and others show up frequently to sit in at the round table listening to each other lies… lol !!! We even have our Infamous Weatherman and TV Personality Mark Murray from KVUE TV – Austin there sitting in too. Charlie Sexton is on and off the road with Bob Dylan as his main Guit-Box player…

Anyway, once again I frequented my morning HANG-OUT for a cup of JOE and I noticed somebody I thought I knew sitting at the table, but just couldn’t put my finger on where I had seen this guy before. I’m telling myself that he’s probably a musician. Then as if a rock it me it the head, I finally realized where I saw him before… It was on YouTube doing an interview w/ the famous guitar pick-up guru Seymour Duncan at the 2010 NAMM Show… That’s when I ask him… “Are you Dizzy Gillespie?” And he said “Yes” w/ a confused look on his face like he didn’t know me… So I introduce myself and we exchange info and now I’m sitting here listening to Dizzy’s wonderful NEW CD "The Crossroads" …

DIZZ has worked with many musical legends including but not limited to Bugs Henderson, Doyle Bramhall Sr., Ed King of Lynyrd Skynyrd, and the Kentucky Headhunters. He has also shared the stage with Ty Tabor (Kings X), Howard Leese (Heart), Seymour Duncan, Matt Smith, Jock Bartley (Heart), Kirby Kelley and Jim Shuler of Point Blank.

DIZZ had a near fatal car crash in route to Venice Italy during a recent European tour. He had just performed an acoustic show at Plume DArt in Lyon, France. Fortunately he made a complete and successful recovery. Robin Concannon of WTTS Radio in Indianapolis, said, "If you get a chance to see DIZZ do an acoustic show it’s a must." The Cleveland News reported that, When DIZZ is on stage there is an electric connective energy that is alike almost to that of the Allman Brothers of the 90s. Mark Andes of Heart remarked, "DIZZ and these guys have more fun onstage than I've seen in years." Greg Martin of the Kentucky Headhunters said, after a DIZZ performance, "Good playing and singing, good tones and good tunes that’s what Dizz and these guys are all about."

You gotta dig a band that still plays their own instruments and aren’t scared to lay it on the line. Music has to have heart. These guys have it in abundance.

If you like Blues / Rock w/ a southern flair then you’ve got to check out Mr. Gillespie’s MySpace page to listen to his muse and / or buy his music… I love his style because it takes me back when music really sounded good and had feeling and soul…. If you like these following bands, then you’ll Love what Dizzy has going on… If the early to mid-70’s rock is your thing, ya know… Folks like Marshall Tucker, Pat Travers, Montrose, Allman Brothers, Dickie Betts, Warren Haynes, Robin Trower, Johnny Winters… Vocally – Dizz has a great bluesman’s vocals in the likes of Jeff Healy and Greg Allman…, then these songs are right up you musical alley.

In addition to having much respect from his musician peers, DIZZ has been called upon to endorse many products. Those that he has chosen to endorse include Everly Guitar Strings, Cleartone Strings, Morley Pedals, Dean Guitars, Guistarpicks, St. Blues Guitars, US Masters Guitars, & Texas Traditional Custom Guitars.

Today many artists rely upon technology and smoke and mirrors in the studio and on stage to make a favorable impression. Once you experience DIZZ and his band you will know, that in the tradition of our greatest guitar legends, DIZZ and his band are the real deal.

As I was talkin’ w/ Dizz, he was telling me that what inspires him these days is going to the VA hospitals and playing his heartfelt / soulful music to the returning Vets from Iraq and Afghanistan… He would like to do a tour for our comrades in arms to let them know they are not lost or forgotten as long as we here at home keep vigil and never let that watchtowers light go out!!!

Dizzy Gillespie NEW CD REVIEW ---"The Crossroads" Best Songs: “Thunder”, “Boomerang, “Livin’ On”, "J.C.'s Blues" and "Blues Singer", “33 to 19”, and lastly, “More Than You Need”…

Parting Shot Across the Bow... “A CD TO HELP SHORTEN YOUR LONG ROAD TRIPS… This is One Album you can listen to and enjoy many times over.” I truly give this Album 2 thumbs up 4.5 Starz.

Interview with Musician / Guitarist Dizzy Gillespie.

* Riffmaster - Hey Dizzy, What's up my man?

Tryin’ to stay busy, workin’ on a new CD and getting ready for a few festivals.

* Riffmaster - I was checkin' out your MySpace page and I like what I hear. I also hear many of my same musical influences too. Give our readers an idea of what you were listening to growing up thru high school and beyond.

My brother is 4 year solder, so I got the music from him, great drummer, by the way! It was the 60s& 70s, so I was fortunate to grow up when music was growing up too!

Hendrix, Johnny Winter, Allman Brothers, & Muddy Waters. I actually saw Muddy open for The Allmans in 72.

* Riffmaster - Out of all the rock stars you have met, who personally has lived up to your expectations and has touched your life in one way or the other?

I have been very blessed with meeting people. Greg Martin (Kentucky Headhunters) has been such a wonderful friend & mentor thru the years. Also Seymour Duncan has been a great friend, and Ron Wilson. Did ya know Ron was Lightnin Hopkins last Bass Player! How cool is that! Man, I owe Ron a lot- he has taught me so much over the years, and I am still listening and learning. And of course there is Tommy Shannon.

* Riffmaster - What musical gear and endorsements to you have and why?

Again, how blessed am I? Morley Pedals, Everly Strings, Dean Guitars, U.S. Masters Guitars, Walden Acoustics, Daddy Mojo, Fred Kelly Guitar Picks, & my secret weapon (not a secret anymore!). Backlund Designs! Every one of these companies care about what they sell and I care about what I play, so it works! Anyone could pickup gear from any of these companies, and know its right and good to go!

* Riffmaster - Give our readers a breakdown of how your current live show has came about. I'm sure there is a neat story there.

A lot of Practice!!!! (& Stress).We want it to be a "Show" when we play. Its fun for us, so we hope that projects to the audience. I asked Pinetop Perkins what he did "Live" with Muddy to get it goin? His answer was one word -"Holler!" I try to remember that onstage.

* Riffmaster - Tell us a little bit about your live show's transition over the years. Where you came from, where you are now, and where you are going with the live show in the future.

Everything changes, People, Gear& the way ya Play (Ya hope you play better!) Just like most musicians, ya start out playing in houses, bars or any where ya can play. I have always listened to seasoned players about live shows and get some ideas from them as well. I asked Mark Andes (Heart, Fire Fall & Jo Jo Gunn) to come to Antones one night to critic a show (I knew if I was doing something right or wrong he'd tell me the truth). After the Gig he said "Dizz, I have not seen a band have so much fun on stage in a long time, so keep it up!” Someone told me years ago that music is supposed to be Fun! That's what we strive for -The audience to have as much fun as they can.

* Riffmaster - How many hours a week does it take to put this (your band, writing your music,) all together for the listening masses?

It's never ending! It's all I think about, always running music through my head. I truly believe most artist are perfectionists - I know I am!

* Riffmaster - I'm sure you've had some uncomfortable & weird moments while on the road meeting other great artists, guitar players and bands. Can you give us an example?

It’s kinda like the answer to the last question, except I was on the road with a band that will go "un-named" and the Singer / Guitarist was so wasted, he was playing a completely different song than the rest of the band. We're looking at each other like "Where do we go from here?” Before we had a chance to try and save it, "He" steps up to the mike and tells the audience that "The Band" is too wasted to play the right song - and apologizes for "Us"!! Last show I ever did with him – I have been sober 23 years, and for him to say that was an insult to all of us onstage - so hey there ya go - being wasted worked out real well for him!

* Riffmaster - Dizzy, have you ever had a rude artist on the same stage as you? I hear some of these cats are really stuck on themselves while others are pretty cool, or funny, etc.

Most of the time Artist are really cool, but like everybody else, every once in awhile someone’s gonna have a bad day. It’s just in this business, if you do have a bad day, and aren’t what people expect you to be in their mind, you’re a Jerk!

* Riffmaster - I was reading your Bio and I see you had an unfortunate car accident that came very close to taking your young life. If it's not too painful to talk about, give us a little insight just before and after the accident and what new insight to life that accident has given you.

I had just played in Lyon France, and things were going Great! So the next day, I'm on my way to Venice and "Bam"! It was raining & we were going about 90 mph (pretty slow for there) - My driver was not paying attention to the road when I feel the brakes engage and lookup, all I see is the back of a semi like trailer. I can remember saying these prolific words - "We're not gonna Stop"! Thank God no one else was hurt. Two years in a wheel chair was a lot of time to think, and you do learn who your true friends are. Two things to remember - The American Embassy won't help you, and most important - Play every Gig like it's your last- Because it just might be!

* Riffmaster - Please tell our readers what your high school years were like, and what the soundtrack would be to sum up your senior year in High school.

What I can remember was just wanting to play guitar. Music was everywhere, like I said - I was growin up when Music was growin up! As far as a soundtrack, The Beatles (In My Life), Bruce Springsteen’s (No Surrender). I guess in a way all music is the sound track to my life. Just like it is to everyone, we all have "that song" that takes us to "that place"! That is what music is all about!

* Riffmaster - So Dizzy, what are you listening to a lot of these days?

Still listening to The Blues Guys -The 3 Kings (B.B, Freddie & Albert) Hound Dog Taylor, Howl in Wolf &Muddy - But I do like some of the new stuff. With the Internet, it's an endless array of what you can listen to.

* Riffmaster - Dream Car?

My Dream Car - A Good Van!

* Riffmaster - Why?

Along time ago a guy told me to "Always buy something you can sleep in if you’re going to be a musician"!

* Riffmaster - Name some folks you would love to get on the same album or share the stage with. Inquiring minds want to know.

Andy Aledort, Johnny Winter, B.B. King, Joe Bonamassa, Tommy Shannon, Ed Supple - Too many to list! There are so many great players out there!

* Riffmaster - I also don't want to forget this. Tell us about you involvement with our US ARMED FORCES and VETERANS.

I have been involved with the Vets for years. I have been fortunate to work with companies that donate guitars to the Vets. Then my buddies sign them and we give them to Wounded Warrior Centers, or individuals when they come back home. I hope to play for the troops overseas someday. Every chance I get, I show my gratitude to the brave men and women who serve in the armed forces. The next time you see someone in uniform - Just Shake their hand and tell them "Thanks"!

* Riffmaster - Lastly, please give our readers one last parting shot across the bow. What is Dizzy Gillespie going to be doing in 5 years?

Still playin for the people, and stayin out of car wrecks!

* Riffmaster - I would like to thank you for your time and candor with my loyal readers and keep on fighting the good fight to bring us some good ol rock and roll.

Thank you for taking the time!

Peace,

Scott

http://www.myspace.com/dizzgillespie

Scott Thomas www.Guitarz-for-ever.com

Dizzy's MySpace Page