Dean (commonly known as “Big D”) has been playing for over 40 years in Bands, Duos, Trio and Solo and is known throughout SE QLD as “The Blues Guy”. Both for the style of music, and the fact he usually plays a National Resonator Guitar synonymous with the blues players of the early 1900’s
Dean grew up in Tasmania, and relocated to the Gold Coast in 2007 with his family. His musical influences are many, but after seeing Brownie McGhee in concert in his early 20’s he became a fan of acoustic blues, and especially the old fingerpicking blues players like Robert Johnson, Mississippi John Hurt, Doc Watson and the like. As well as local Australian Players like Dutch Tilders, Nick Charles & Alex Burns, Phil Manning and Lloyd Spiegel.
Dean plays a mix of covers and originals in the old style early 1900’s delta fingerpicking blues on National Resonator guitar, and has become well known around the SE QLD Music Scene. Primarily known from playing in the “Presidential Blues Band”, and also from his time playing more Jazz / Swing music in “Melody Graves and Hokum Redemption”. He also does many solo gigs, as well as duo gigs with various artists.
Dean also regularly attends music festivals throughout NSW & QLD, and is always keen to jam with anyone at festivals and campgrounds!
Dean also teaches advanced fingerpicking guitar at GTM Music Studios in Beaudesert, and has run many Blues Guitar workshops as well at music festivals.