Guitar Ace Gives Freely of His Gift

The foundation of the Blues Brothers act was that they were on “a mission from God” to play music, but it’s no act for Tennessee guitar ace Doyle Dykes.

Once known as the Pickin’ Preacher, Dykes has made his career sharing his “God-given gift” of music, and lately he’s been working to extend his audience beyond the largely Christian music circuit he’s played most of his professional life.

“Sure, I’m a Christian, but I don’t think I get too preachy around people,” Dykes said by phone recently from his home in rural Cleveland, Tenn., where he lives with his wife, Rita, and their four children. “I do feel that I have a God-given gift--and it’s a wonderful thing to be able to share it with others. I try to use music as a way to make people laugh and feel better about life . . . [and] as a means to help make dreams come true.”

One way Dykes does that is with free guitar workshops, which he’ll give Monday in Westminster and Aug. 16 in Cerritos, part of his job since 1995 as a clinician for Taylor Guitars.

He spent his childhood steeped in gospel music but later became inspired by the likes of jazz guitarist Lenny Breau and such folk, country and rock greats as Chet Atkins, Merle Travis and Duane Eddy.

His wide-ranging repertoire ranges from pop, country, folk, bluegrass to classical and jazz to such revered spirituals as “The Lord’s Prayer,” “Can It Be?” and “How Great Thou Art.”

His recording breakthrough came in 1996 with the critically praised “Fingerstyle Guitar,” a showcase for his “right-hand dynamics,” which includes “chiming,” a harmonic effect where the upper notes ring out--or chime--while the bass parts rumble below.

Despite the time he’s spent dealing with such secular concerns as recording contracts and concert appearances, he said, “I’ve never had to compromise myself--or my beliefs--to please someone in the [music] industry.”

In fact, what may have been his most humbling experience with the conflict between spirit and body had nothing to do with anyone except himself.

“When I was performing ‘How Great Thou Art’ on TNN’s ‘Grand Ole Opry Live,’ I got rattled pretty good one night,” he said. “I was using some new [equipment], and I just felt that something was very wrong. I was standing there . . . and I couldn’t even remember if I played the second verse yet. I thought it was the worst I’d ever done . . . I felt like a complete failure.

“But the audience was somehow moved enough to bring me back out for an encore,” he said. “I’ll never forget that. That’s when I realized that that hymn is much, much bigger than me. I think the Lord spoke to me that night, saying ‘My greatness does not depend on yours.’ It was very humbling. All I can really do is interpret his word as best I can and minister through music.”

In addition to Dykes’ deep spiritual foundation, he’s developed a flashy style that emphasizes speed, economy and grace. His latest album, “Gitarre 2000” (Windham Hill, 1998), incorporates orchestral accompaniment for the first time, an idea Dykes got from an old album by Atkins.

“I think the first thing I ever heard with the guitar and strings was ‘Chet Atkins in Hollywood,’ ” he said. “I just loved it and have always wanted to do something like it.”

Dykes got his wish after he was approached by Windham Hill President Larry Hamby, who asked if he would be interested in doing something different for “Gitarre 2000.”

“My feeling,” he said, “was that if a guitar solo is pretty complete, strings can only enhance the sound--if you get the right arranger. I wasn’t interested in having someone just put string pads and swells behind me--or playing over me.”

He found the right fit in Tom Keene, who arranged and conducted all of the album’s string parts.

“He’s pretty much a classical piano player, but he has a great ear for the guitar too,” says Dykes. “I went over to his house and noticed all of these old Chet albums. He has a wonderful ear for orchestrating without being obtrusive. He brought the guitar and strings together in the exact way I was looking for.”

Since becoming a clinician for Taylor, he gives lots of workshop--about 100 this year--but not just to illustrate technique, or strictly to try sell instruments.

“I won’t do a two-hour infomercial for Taylor Guitars, but I’ll demonstrate how all these guitars do have their own sound,” he said. “Like, I might play some bluegrass on an Indian rosewood with a spruce top, or a Merle Travis number on a maple and citrus guitar.

“Sometimes,” he added, “the sound of a steel string coming through a wooden body--with the proper bracing and thickness--is like hearing the actual voice of the wood.”

Dykes doesn’t expect those attending his guitar clinics to necessarily share his faith, but he hopes they leave believing--at the very least--in themselves.

“I’ve always wanted to help other musicians to understand that their gift, whether big or small, is important and needs to be nurtured,” he said. “I’ve seen so many guitar players just give up . . . They just lost their love and joy for the music somewhere along the way. Some of the most gifted people are rendered helpless because they lose faith in their ability--and it’s truly a shame.”

* Doyle Dykes gives a guitar workshop for intermediate to advanced players Monday at Sam Ash Music, 14200 Beach Blvd., Westminster. 8 p.m. (714) 899-2122. Also Aug. 16 at Sam Ash Music, 12651 Artesia Blvd., Cerritos. 8 p.m. (562) 468-1107. Both sessions are free, but reservations are recommended.