Deke Dickerson

Deke Dickerson
Deke Dickerson in 2008.
Deke Dickerson in 2008.
Background information
Also known as"Blind" Rage, The Olde Lamplighter, The Donut Prince
Born
Derek Dickerson

(1968-06-03) June 3, 1968
St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Genres
Occupations
Instruments
Years active1985–present
LabelsEstrus, Ecco-Fonic, Spinout, Hightone, Major Label, Sleazy, Yep Roc, Gas, Preston, Shove, Part, Retroworld, Muleskinner, Goofin', Muddy Roots Music, Rock & Roll Inc., Retro Recording Services
Member ofDeke Dickerson and the Whippersnappers
Formerly ofThe Untamed Youth, The Ecco-Fonics, Dave & Deke Combo, The Go-Nuts
Websitedekedickerson.com

Derek "Deke" Dickerson (born 1968) is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, film composer, and writer. His style incorporates country, alternative country, rockabilly, hillbilly, blues, western swing and rock 'n' roll.[1]

Biography

Dickerson was born in St. Louis, Missouri, but grew up in Columbia.[2] He moved to Los Angeles, California, in 1991. He is known as an avid collector of vintage vinyl records.[3] As of 2025, Dickerson still lives in Los Angeles.

Music

After playing in several local rockabilly bands as a teenager, Dickerson formed The Untamed Youth at age 17 in his hometown of Columbia.[2] The Untamed Youth have periodically reunited for live shows.[4] In 1991 Dickerson moved to Los Angeles and joined Dave Stuckey to form the Dave & Deke Combo, a partnership that yielded two albums and a 2005 reunion at major rockabilly festivals.[5] Joining the Ecco-Fonics in 1998, Dickerson toured, signed to HighTone Records and released three albums for the label.[6] In 1994 he formed a novelty "snack rock" band called The Go-Nuts with members of The Phantom Surfers and The Bomboras.[7][8] Dickerson’s most recent band venture is Deke Dickerson and the Whippersnappers.[9] He also performs and tours regularly as a solo artist, and has played with rockabilly legends such as Sonny Burgess, Scotty Moore and Duane Eddy.[10]

The Reverend Horton Heat has stated that, "Deke Dickerson is the best rockabilly guitarist in the world!"[11] In 2019 Dickerson won the Ameripolitan Music Award for Musician of the Year.[12] He has performed at The Country Music Hall of Fame.[13]

Dickerson partnered with Hallmark Guitars to produce the Deke Dickerson model guitar.[14] He owns a Ray Butts EchoSonic, serial number 24, a rare amplifier with built-in tape echo that used to belong to Scotty Moore.[15] In 2018, Dickerson composed the soundtrack for the film Action Point.[16][17] Dickerson also organizes an annual "Guitar Geek Festival" held in Anaheim, California, every January, during the NAMM Show.[18]

Writing

Dickerson writes a regular column in Guitar Player magazine, and feature articles in Vintage Guitar magazine and The Fretboard Journal.[19] He has also written for the punk culture website Please Kill Me.[20][21] Dickerson is the author of Sixteen Tons: The Merle Travis Story,[22] the first-ever full-length biography devoted to Country Music Hall of Fame member Merle Travis.[23][24][25] Dickerson has also had two books published by Voyageur Press, The Strat in the Attic[26] and The Strat in the Attic 2.[27] He also authored a guide to Los Angeles' rock n' roll history, titled Boss Angeles!: A Map and Guide to LA Rock 'n' Roll Landmarks 1955-1965.[28] Dickerson has also contributed liner notes to reissue projects for such labels as Capitol, RCA, Bear Family, and Sundazed.

References

  1. ↑ "MUSIC; Rocking Roots, but Don't Call It Retro". The New York Times. 17 September 2000.
  2. 1 2 "Deke Dickerson: Ecco-Fonic Records & Studio". Tape Op Magazine. November 2015.
  3. ↑ Virgil (10 April 2015). "Deke Dickerson". the rockabilly chronicle. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
  4. ↑ "Poorman's 15 Minutes of Fame: Deke Dickerson (Singer/Songwriter, Guitarist and Columnist". Poorman's Morning Rush. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
  5. ↑ Virgil (3 February 2024). "Dave and Deke Combo". the rockabilly chronicle. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
  6. ↑ Arnold, Ames (16 February 2000). "Deke Dickerson and the Ecco-Fonics meld rockabilly with surf rock to make music that's not as crazy as it sounds". Style Weekly. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
  7. ↑ Morrice, Deb. "Deke Dickerson: Super Fonic". Archived from the original on 14 October 2025. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
  8. ↑ "DEKE DICKERSON". tims.blackcat.nl. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
  9. ↑ Scott, Jean (30 August 2025). "Deke Dickerson". NUVO. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
  10. ↑ "Deke Dickerson | NAMM.org". www.namm.org. 4 December 2018. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
  11. ↑ "Profile: Deke Dickerson". All American Entertainment.
  12. ↑ Bisbort, Alan (6 March 2019). "DEKE DICKERSON: MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR!". PleaseKillMe. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
  13. ↑ "Deke Dickerson Performs California Country Music - Songwriter Sessions". The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
  14. ↑ "Deke Dickerson". First Avenue. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
  15. ↑ Hunter, Dave (April 2012). "The Ray Butts EchoSonic". Vintage Guitar. pp. 46–48.
  16. ↑ "Talking with Deke Dickerson". Moon Over the Trees Music and Theatre Productions. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
  17. ↑ Kirkby, Tim (1 June 2018), Action Point, Johnny Knoxville, Eleanor Worthington-Cox, Chris Pontius, Paramount Pictures, Gerber Pictures, Department of Trade and Industry of South Africa, retrieved 19 February 2026
  18. ↑ "Geek Fest Rolls On: Event's Success May Lead to Expansion in '12". Vintage Guitar. May 2011.
  19. ↑ "Articles by Deke Dickerson". Muckrack.
  20. ↑ Dickerson, Deke (1 February 2018). "LINK WRAY, INVENTOR OF THE POWER CHORD, SNUBBED AGAIN". PleaseKillMe. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
  21. ↑ Dickerson, Deke (22 February 2018). "THE KID WHO RECORDED THE FIRST PUNK ROCK RECORD (AND INFLUENCED SURF GUITAR)". PleaseKillMe. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
  22. ↑ Dickerson, Deke (2022). Sixteen Tons: The Merle Travis Story. BMG Books. ISBN 9781947026582.
  23. ↑ "Deke Dickerson". Vintage Guitar® magazine. 14 December 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
  24. ↑ "Deke Dickerson – Xperience History – Radioradiox.com". Retrieved 19 February 2026.
  25. ↑ "Interview and Performance: A Celebration of Merle Travis". The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
  26. ↑ Dickerson, Deke (2013). The Strat in the Attic: Thrilling Stories of Guitar Archaeology (Hardcover ed.). Voyageur Press. ISBN 9780760343852.
  27. ↑ Dickerson, Deke (2014). The Strat in the Attic 2: More Thrilling Stories of Guitar Archaeology (Hardcover ed.). Voyageur Press. ISBN 978-0760346877.
  28. ↑ Dickerson, Deke (2022). Boss Angeles!: A Map and Guide to LA Rock 'n' Roll Landmarks 1955-1965. Herb Lester Associates. ISBN 9781838216771.
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