Guitarists You Must Know: The Incredible Doyle Dykes

Welcome to the first instalment of my series highlighting guitar players who deserve your attention – not to sound clever, but to spread the love for truly inspiring music. And there’s no better way to kick things off than with the phenomenal Doyle Dykes.

Doyle Dykes is a master of fingerstyle acoustic guitar, carrying forward the legacy of legends like Chet Atkins, Merle Travis, and Jerry Reed – yet standing tall as an extraordinary artist in his own right. His technique is jaw-dropping, his sound unmistakable, and his performances unforgettable.

A Life-Changing Live Performance

I had the privilege of seeing Doyle live in Epsom back in 2016 when he visited Guitar Guitar to promote Godin guitars (a superb Canadian brand, by the way). Before stepping on stage, Doyle casually sat beside my wife and me, smiled warmly, and moments later delivered one of the most memorable performances I’ve ever witnessed.

What Makes Doyle Dykes So Unique?

Doyle’s playing is a masterclass in fingerstyle guitar. His signature “boom-chick” picking style, inspired by Chet Atkins, is blended seamlessly with banjo rolls, cascading open-string licks, and lightning-fast artificial harmonics. But the magic doesn’t stop there. Doyle’s unique techniques – like bending strings behind the guitar nut and his mesmerising three-finger tremolo picking – make his playing truly one of a kind.

While his roots are in country music, Doyle is far from confined to it. His music weaves together influences from classical, jazz, blues, rock, and even pop, creating a rich and diverse soundscape.

Songs You Simply Have to Hear

If you’re new to Doyle Dykes, start with these standout tracks:

•Jazz in the Box

•Martha’s Kitchen

•Guitar Poor (an anthem for every guitarist!)

•Bridging the Gap

•Country Fried Pickin’

•Celtic Cowboy

•Thumpy

•Blue Cathedral

•His epic 12-string rendition of Classical Gas – arguably more breathtaking than Tommy Emmanuel’s version!

More Than Just a Guitarist

What sets Doyle apart isn’t just his technical brilliance. He’s a showman and entertainer who plays from the heart, always putting the music first. His goal isn’t to dazzle other guitarists (though he inevitably does) – it’s to connect with everyone in the audience. And his storytelling? As captivating as his playing.

A Personal Inspiration

Doyle Dykes didn’t just inspire me; he changed the course of my guitar journey. Watching him that night made me dive headfirst into fingerstyle guitar and pick up a thumb pick for the first time. His warmth and genuine passion for music left a lasting impression on me, and I’ll never forget that smile he shared before stepping on stage.

So, if you’re ready to be inspired by an acoustic guitar virtuoso who combines technique, heart, and storytelling like no other, dive into the world of Doyle Dykes. Trust me, it’s a journey you won’t regret.

If you’d like to explore more of Doyle’s incredible music, visit his website at www.doyledykes.com and check out his YouTube channel: Doyle Dykes on YouTube.

I’ll be back soon with another must-know guitar player recommendation! In the meantime, if you’d like to share some of your favourite guitarists and have them featured here, feel free to drop me a message.

And if you’re passionate about fingerstyle guitar but finding it a bit challenging, don’t hesitate to reach out for lessons. I offer the first lesson completely free, no matter where you are in the world! Let’s take your playing to the next level.