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Photos by Megan Dixon
History of the Band
A long time ago (well, 1992), in a basement far, far away
(Fredericksburg, VA to be exact), three guys got together to learn a
couple dixieland tunes for a club date. It was during this rehearsal
that the idea for the Dixie Power Trio was born. A dixieland band that
played rock and roll! Andy Kochenour provided the steady bass lines on
his tuba, Zack Smith churned out the melodies on his cornet, and Bert
Carlson added rhythm banjo and vocals in the original incarnation of the
group, which soon added Byron McWilliams to provide drum grooves. After
a trip to the local pawn shop, Zack was soon playing accordion,
washboard, and harmonica with the DPT, taking on the role of resident
multi-instrumentalist. (He now endorses Hohner Blues Harps and Tee Don's
are the "Official Rubboards of the DPT".)
The band recorded their first CD Out of Control a year later and started
receiving national attention through airplay on NPR’s All Things
Considered while becoming notorious for their takes on “Stairway to
Heaven” and “Freebird.” Soon, the group was out touring the country,
recording their sophomore CD, Greetings From Gumboville, and trying to
cope with the inevitable band tension that came with the increased
workload. Byron eventually dropped out to spend more time with his three
beautiful children (all girls!), and Ryan Diehl came aboard to man the
drum chair. After seven years of playing “Staiway to Heaven” nightly and
not a lot of progress towards the goal of fame and fortune, the DPT
decided it was time to start shifting away from the goofy nature of
their early repertoire and time to start playing the music it was most
comfortable with. Goodbye Stairway, Freebird, Dueling Banjos-- hello
zydeco, jazz, and originals. It was during this period that Bert left to
pursue his wilderness living dreams, and guitar virtuoso Wayne Wilkinson
joined the group.
Soon the band was in the studio laying down its third CD Ain’t My Fault,
and beginning the process of reintroducing itself to the public. After a
number of well-received performances at venues such as the Kennedy
Center (D.C.) and the Krannert Center (IL), and with newfound popularity
on the web, the DPT had begun establishing itself as the East Coast’s
premier New Orleans music ensemble. It was also during this time that
the group began occasionally doing performances as the New Line Brass
Band, with its beefed up front line (check out their CD Bad Spuds!) A
few more changes were in store as Ryan departed for greener pastures and
the band welcomed back Byron--who was now much more available with his
children starting school. Wayne decided to spend more time honoring his
spiritual calling, which led to the entrance of Gantt Kushner into the
group. The boys recorded their first live CD, Let’s All Go Down To New
Orleans, a year later.
In 2004, Wayne Wilkinson rejoined the line-up and played on two more
CD's: "The Virgil Sessions" and "Zydeco Dog". Wayne retired to Colorado
in 2008, which led to the entrance of new guitarist Chuck Underwood, who
has injected his own unique blues/jazz style into the always-evolving
DPT sound.
Join in on the rapidly expanding parade of DPT faithful—as always, we aim to please!
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11007 Abbey Lane
Fredericksburg, VA 22407
dptrules@aol.com
Booking
Contact Zack: 540-374-9219 cell: 540-226-1604