Part blues and part old school country, seasoned with a pinch of gospel, Kentucky-born guitarist Dean Phelps combines the rhythmic beat of thumbpick guitar with a soulful vocal style. He blends his guitar and voice into a wide repertoire, creating a sound that is reminiscent of performers like Merle Travis and Doc Watson with a hint of Leon Redbone.
The result is music to make you smile, darn ya, smile. Or, in the words of one testimonial, “If you want that overall feeling of ‘Oh gosh, I think I am happy right now,’ be sure to spend time with Dean Phelps.”
Performance Video | Hi-Res Images
What to Expect
As a solo acoustic guitarist and vocalist, Dean Phelps provides musical entertainment that is appropriate for a variety of settings. He plays a family friendly repertoire in an entertaining and engaging style. He is equally at home playing in cafes, restaurants, concert venues, churches, private parties, and business gatherings. He astutely recognizes what is required and tailors his performance to fit the setting.
Sample Set Lists
Dean’s set lists merge his love for “songs that are older than him” with the music of the artists and singer-songwriters that have influenced his musical journey.
- Talon Winery, Lexington, August 2022
- Engine House Pizzeria, August 2022
- Talon Winery, Shelbyville, July 2022
- Columbia Street Music District, June 2022
Video
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San Francisco Bay Blues (Jesse Fuller cover)
Dean Phelps performs this Jesse Fuller tune live from the deck at Talon Winery in Lexington, Ky. (recorded live August 12, 2022) -
Walking Stick
Dean Phelps performs the Irving Berlin tune, Walking Stick, at The Cat and the Fiddle Event Center in Metamora, Indiana. -
Live Stream Dean Phelps Smile Darn Ya Smile
Dean Phelps combines the rhythmic beat of thumbpicking guitar with a soulful vocal style. Part blues and part old school country, Dean stirs his guitar and voice into a repertoire of songs from the late 19th and early 20th centuries along with a few pages out of the hymnal, creating a style that is reminiscent of performers like Merle Travis and Doc Watson.
Dean has earned both local and national recognition for his guitar playing, winning the National Thumbpicking Guitar Contest at the Ozark Folk Center in Mountain View, Ark., and being named thumbpick guitar champion at the Indiana Picking and Fiddling Championship. -
Ain't Misbehavin' Dean Phelps at Ziggie's
Dean performs the Fats Waller tune (which is older than him) at Ziggie's Live Music in Denver, Colorado.
Photos
Click on a thumbnail for the high resolution image.
