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
March 24, 2023 | Godmothers | San Pedro, CA | as Deke and the Whippersnappers |
March 25, 2023 | Grand Ole BBQ (North Park location) | San Diego, CA | Solo performance |
April 21 | Zoom Frankfurt | Frankfurt, Germany | |
April 22 | 50’s Rocket Festival | Zofingen, Switzerland | |
April 27-30 | Viva Las Vegas Festival, Orleans Casino | Las Vegas, NV | Deke will be performing with the Marc and the Wild Ones on Thursday night, Deke and the Whippersnappers on Friday night, the Dave and Deke Combo at the Car Show Saturday afternoon, Deke’s Guitar Geek Festival on Saturday night, and Dave and Deke’s Hillbillyfest show featuring Doug Kershaw on Sunday night) |
May 17 | Moe’s Alley | Santa Cruz, CA | as Deke and the Whippersnappers |
May 18 | The Siren | Morro Bay, CA | as Deke and the Whippersnappers |
May 19 | Grillin’ and Chillin’ | Hollister, CA | as Deke and the Whippersnappers |
May 20 | Torch Club (early show) | Sacramento, CA | as Deke and the Whippersnappers |
May 21 | Hopmonk Tavern | Sebastopol, CA | as Deke and the Whippersnappers |
June 10-11 | Screamin’ Festival | Calella, Spain | Deke’s Doo-Wop/Rhythm and Blues show |
June 15-19 | Rockabilly Rave | Camber Sands, UK | with the Ecco-Fonics featuring Crazy Joe Tritschler, Kyle Eldridge and Bobby Trimble, also Deke will be playing guitar for the Bellfuries |
June 30 | Johnny Horton tribute show at Sassafras Saloon | Los Angeles, CA | featuring Tommy Horton, Deke and the Whippersnappers, Grey DeLisle, Eddie Clendening and many more! |
July 6 | Fullerton downtown Market | Fullerton, CA | as Deke and the Whippersnappers |
July 8 | Big Bakersfield Bash | TBA (save the date, it’s going to be a good ‘un!) | |
July 14-22 | Alaska (dates and venues TBA) | as Deke and the Whippersnappers | |
July 29 | Deke plays the music of Link Wray at the Surf Guitar 101 convention | Los Angeles, CA | |
August 5 | Greazefest | Brisbane, Australia |
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