{{Short description|American singer, guitarist, composer, and writer (born 1968)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}} {{BLP sources|date=February 2012}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Deke Dickerson | image = Deke Dickerson.jpg | alt = Deke Dickerson in 2008. | caption = Deke Dickerson in 2008. | birth_name = Derek Dickerson | alias = "Blind" Rage, The Olde Lamplighter, The Donut Prince | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1968|06|03}} | birth_place = [[St. Louis]], Missouri, United States | genre = {{hlist|[[Rockabilly|Rockabilly]]|[[Rock n' Roll|Rock 'N' Roll]]|[[Country Music|Country]]|[[Hillbilly|Hillbilly]]|[[Jug band|Jug Band]]|[[Blues|Blues]]|[[Rock music|Rock]]}} | occupation = {{hlist|[[Musician|Musician]]|[[Writer|Writer]]}} | instrument = {{hlist|[[Guitar|Guitar]]|[[Vocals|Vocals]]}} | years_active = 1985–present | label = Estrus, 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 | current_member_of = Deke Dickerson and the Whippersnappers | past_member_of = The Untamed Youth, The Ecco-Fonics, Dave & Deke Combo, The Go-Nuts | website = {{URL|DekeDickerson.com}} }} '''Derek "Deke" Dickerson''' (born 1968) is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, film composer, and writer. His style incorporates [[Country music|country]], [[alternative country]], [[rockabilly]], [[Hillbilly#Music|hillbilly]], [[blues]], [[western swing]] and [[rock 'n' roll]].<ref>{{cite news|title=MUSIC; Rocking Roots, but Don't Call It Retro|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=17 September 2000|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/09/17/nyregion/music-rocking-roots-but-don-t-call-it-retro.html}}</ref>
== Biography == Dickerson was born in [[St. Louis, Missouri]], but grew up in [[Columbia, Missouri|Columbia]].<ref name=":0" /> He moved to [[Los Angeles]], California, in 1991. He is known as an avid collector of vintage vinyl records.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Virgil |date=2015-04-10 |title=Deke Dickerson |url=http://www.the-rockabilly-chronicle.com/deke-dickerson-itv/ |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=the rockabilly chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":0">{{cite news|title=Deke Dickerson: Ecco-Fonic Records & Studio|newspaper=[[Tape Op Magazine]]|date=Nov 2015|url=https://tapeop.com/interviews/110/deke-dickerson/}}</ref> The Untamed Youth have periodically reunited for live shows.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Poorman’s 15 Minutes of Fame: Deke Dickerson (Singer/Songwriter, Guitarist and Columnist |url=https://www.poorman.net/episodes/poormans-15-minutes-of-fame/deke-dickerson |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=Poorman's Morning Rush |language=en-US}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Virgil |date=2024-02-03 |title=Dave and Deke Combo |url=http://www.the-rockabilly-chronicle.com/dave-and-deke-combo/ |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=the rockabilly chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref> Joining the Ecco-Fonics in 1998, Dickerson toured, signed to [[HighTone Records]] and released three albums for the label.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Arnold |first=Ames |date=2000-02-16 |title=Deke Dickerson and the Ecco-Fonics meld rockabilly with surf rock to make music that's not as crazy as it sounds. |url=https://www.styleweekly.com/deke-dickerson-and-the-ecco-fonics-meld-rockabilly-with-surf-rock-to-make-music-thats-not-as-crazy-as-it-sounds/ |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=Style Weekly |language=en-US}}</ref> In 1994 he formed a novelty "snack rock" band called [[The Go-Nuts]] with members of [[The Phantom Surfers]] and [[The Bomboras]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Morrice |first=Deb |title=Deke Dickerson: Super Fonic. |url=https://themusic.com.au/features/deke-dickerson-super-fonic/Me4pJSQnJik/14-10-02 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251014203618/https://themusic.com.au/features/deke-dickerson-super-fonic/Me4pJSQnJik/14-10-02 |archive-date=2025-10-14 |access-date=2026-02-19 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=DEKE DICKERSON |url=https://tims.blackcat.nl/messages/deke_dickerson.htm |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=tims.blackcat.nl}}</ref> Dickerson’s most recent band venture is Deke Dickerson and the Whippersnappers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scott |first=Jean |date=2025-08-30 |title=Deke Dickerson |url=https://www.nuvo.net/music/deke-dickerson/article_e4f9dc77-f537-4297-8404-239cbae831ac.html |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=NUVO |language=en}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-12-04 |title=Deke Dickerson {{!}} NAMM.org |url=https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/deke-dickerson |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=www.namm.org |language=en}}</ref>
[[The Reverend Horton Heat]] has stated that, "Deke Dickerson is the best rockabilly guitarist in the world!"<ref>{{Cite web |title=Profile: Deke Dickerson |url=https://www.aaemusic.com/artist/deke-dickerson/ |website=All American Entertainment}}</ref> In 2019 Dickerson won the Ameripolitan Music Award for Musician of the Year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bisbort |first=Alan |date=2019-03-06 |title=DEKE DICKERSON: MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR! |url=https://pleasekillme.com/deke-dickerson-musician-of-the-year/ |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=PleaseKillMe |language=en-US}}</ref> He has performed at [[Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum|The Country Music Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Deke Dickerson Performs California Country Music - Songwriter Sessions |url=https://watch.countrymusichalloffame.org/songwriter-sessions-1/videos/deke-dickerson-performs-california-country-music |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum |language=en}}</ref>
Dickerson partnered with [[Hallmark Guitars]] to produce the Deke Dickerson model guitar.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Deke Dickerson |url=https://first-avenue.com/performer/deke-dickerson/ |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=First Avenue |language=en-US}}</ref> He owns a [[Ray Butts EchoSonic]], serial number 24, a rare amplifier with built-in tape echo that used to belong to Scotty Moore.<ref>{{cite news|title=The Ray Butts EchoSonic|last=Hunter|first=Dave|date=April 2012|work=[[Vintage Guitar (magazine)|Vintage Guitar]]|pages=46–48}}</ref> In 2018, Dickerson composed the soundtrack for the film ''[[Action Point]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Talking with Deke Dickerson |url=https://www.moonoverthetrees.com/beat-your-heart-out/talking-with-deke-dickerson |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=Moon Over the Trees Music and Theatre Productions |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |last=Kirkby |first=Tim |title=Action Point |date=2018-06-01 |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6495770/ |access-date=2026-02-19 |others=Johnny Knoxville, Eleanor Worthington-Cox, Chris Pontius |publisher=Paramount Pictures, Gerber Pictures, Department of Trade and Industry of South Africa}}</ref> Dickerson also organizes an annual "Guitar Geek Festival" held in [[Anaheim, California|Anaheim]], California, every January, during the [[NAMM Show]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Geek Fest Rolls On: Event's Success May Lead to Expansion in '12|newspaper=[[Vintage Guitar]]|date=May 2011}}</ref>
=== Writing === Dickerson writes a regular column in ''[[Guitar Player]]'' magazine, and feature articles in ''[[Vintage Guitar (magazine)|Vintage Guitar]]'' magazine and ''[[The Fretboard Journal]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Articles by Deke Dickerson |url=https://muckrack.com/deke-dickerson/articles |website=Muckrack}}</ref> He has also written for the punk culture website ''[[Please Kill Me]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dickerson |first=Deke |date=2018-02-01 |title=LINK WRAY, INVENTOR OF THE POWER CHORD, SNUBBED AGAIN |url=https://pleasekillme.com/link-wray-rrhof/ |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=PleaseKillMe |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dickerson |first=Deke |date=2018-02-22 |title=THE KID WHO RECORDED THE FIRST PUNK ROCK RECORD (AND INFLUENCED SURF GUITAR) |url=https://pleasekillme.com/larry-collins/ |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=PleaseKillMe |language=en-US}}</ref> Dickerson is the author of ''Sixteen Tons: The Merle Travis Story'',<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dickerson |first=Deke |title=Sixteen Tons: The Merle Travis Story |publisher=BMG Books |year=2022 |isbn=9781947026582 |language=En}}</ref> the first-ever full-length biography devoted to [[Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum|Country Music Hall of Fame]] member [[Merle Travis]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-14 |title=Deke Dickerson |url=https://www.vintageguitar.com/56404/deke-dickerson-3/ |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=Vintage Guitar® magazine |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Deke Dickerson – Xperience History – Radioradiox.com |url=https://radioradiox.com/2024/07/07/deke-dickerson-xperience-history/ |access-date=2026-02-19 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Interview and Performance: A Celebration of Merle Travis |url=https://watch.countrymusichalloffame.org/videos/interview-and-performance-deke-dickerson-tommy-emmanuel-eddie-pennington-cindy-travis-merlene-travis-maggini-2023 |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum |language=en}}</ref> Dickerson has also had two books published by [[Voyageur Press]], ''The Strat in the Attic''<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dickerson |first=Deke |title=The Strat in the Attic: Thrilling Stories of Guitar Archaeology |publisher=Voyageur Press |year=2013 |isbn=9780760343852 |edition=Hardcover |language=En}}</ref> and ''The Strat in the Attic 2''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dickerson |first=Deke |title=The Strat in the Attic 2: More Thrilling Stories of Guitar Archaeology |publisher=Voyageur Press |year=2014 |isbn=978-0760346877 |edition=Hardcover |language=En}}</ref> 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''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dickerson |first=Deke |title=Boss Angeles!: A Map and Guide to LA Rock 'n' Roll Landmarks 1955-1965 |publisher=Herb Lester Associates |year=2022 |isbn=9781838216771 |language=En}}</ref> Dickerson has also contributed liner notes to reissue projects for such labels as [[Capitol Records|Capitol]], [[RCA Records|RCA]], [[Bear Family Records|Bear Family]], and [[Sundazed Music|Sundazed]].
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{Official|http://www.dekedickerson.com/}} * [https://www.discogs.com/artist/1086871-Deke-Dickerson Deke Dickerson] at [[Discogs]] * [https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6475394.Deke_Dickerson Deke Dickerson] at [[Goodreads]] * {{imdbname|3389009}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Dickerson, Deke}} [[Category:1968 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Guitarists from Columbia, Missouri]] [[Category:Composers from Columbia, Missouri]] [[Category:American male guitarists]] [[Category:20th-century American guitarists]] [[Category:20th-century American male musicians]]