New Book!!
Sixteen Tons: The Merle Travis Story (BMG Books, 480 pages) is the story of Country Music Hall of Fame member Merle Travis, a brilliant, multi-talented, and deeply troubled artist who is widely considered a genius. A world-class guitarist who dazzled audiences with his Kentucky thumb-picking style, Merle was also a pioneering country songwriter who wrote such classics as “Dark as a Dungeon” and “Sixteen Tons.” Additionally, he was responsible for early electric guitar innovations in the 1940s, and was a gifted actor, writer, and cartoonist, among many other talents.
Deke will happily autograph your copy if you order here at his website. Add a note to your order telling him who to make it out to.
Live Dates
January 28, 2023 | Mosrite 70th anniversary show, Maui Sugar Mill Saloon | Tarzana, CA | with Venturesmania! |
February 2-5, 2023 | Rockin Race Jamboree | Torremolinos, Spain | Deke set and backing up Les Greene |
February 19, 2023 | Casbah | San Diego, CA | with the Whippersnappers |
March 25, 2023 | Grand Ole BBQ (North Park location) | San Diego, CA | Solo performance |
April 27-30 | Viva Las Vegas Festival, Orleans Casino | Las Vegas, NV | with Deke and the Whippersnappers, Dave and Deke Hillbillyfest, Deke’s Guitar Geek Show, more TBA |
June 5-11 | Screamin’ Festival | Calella, Spain | R&B/doo-Wop show |
June 15-19 | Rockabilly Rave Festival | Camber Sands, England | with the Deke All-Star Power Trio featuring “Crazy” Joe Tritschler and Chris “Sugarballs” Sprague |
Book Writin’
Musings
Articles and thoughts from the mind of Deke
Johnny Fields 1952 Guitar Mystery
Guitar mystery of the night: Here’s Johnny Fields, left, early 1950s. His Fender Esquire (Telecaster? No Caster? Broadcaster?) has been customized with what looks to be an extra bridge pickup section from another Fender guitar…
Fender Woody Pro Project, contd.
The saga continues on the Fender Woody Pro project. I’ve made no less than THREE sets of these metal strips.
RIP Jerry Blavat, The Geator with the Heater
RIP to the great Philadelphia DJ personality Jerry Blavat, the legendary “Geator with the Heater.” got turned on to the Geator a million years ago, when I auditioned for a Morells spinoff band when I was in high school in Missouri.
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Videos
These and more on the Deke Dickerson YouTube Channel