The Local Artists

I guess it's to be expected, but it always seems like there are certain people who get all of the exposure and some who've been around for quite a while who don't get very much at all. I'd like to take the opportunity in this section to talk about people I know who are sort of in that situation. There are many really talented musicians who have been plugging away at their music for years. Some of them seem pop up now and again in the news, but deserve much more publicity than they get. Here is a list of whose bios are currently on this page:

Paul Carrol Binkley began formal study of the guitar at age nine, and since then has developed a rich repertoire of traditional guitar literature. He later trained at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Austin Peay State University, and the Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University. Paul has toured the United States and Canada as a featured artist in many prestigious musical theater productions and festivals. He has worked with playwright Arthur Kopit during a residency at the Center for the Creative Arts in Clarksville, Tennessee, and served as a featured soloist at the Mid-South Jazz Festival and the Atlanta Arts Festival. He has performed in concert across the country and has twice been the winner of the southeast ``Young Composers Competition." His compositions represent a wide spectrum of musical genre and have enjoyed performances by groups as diverse as The Nashville Dance Project, the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, and the Eugene O'Neill Institute in Connecticut. His music has been heard from the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville to the Lincoln Center in New York to the ``Wave" radio network in California. Flying Colors (Paul's latest release) is currently being played on 110 Radio stations across the U.S. and 12 stations in Japan.

At home in ``Music City," Paul is highly respected as an acoustic guitar specialist and is frequently called upon for both recording sessions and live performances. In addition to releasing three previous albums; (Silent Serenade , Closer to Home, and Passages), he has appeared on ``Nashville Now," ``Church Street Station," and the "Grand Ole Opry." When Randy Owen of ``Alabama" became ill, Paul was brought in to cover the acoustic guitar duties at the ``June Jam" (``Alabama's" annual hometown concert in Ft. Payne with over 70,000 in attendance.) Recently, Paul did an 18 city tour with Lorrie Morgan, which featured his acoustic guitar playing surrounded by a 40 piece orchestra.

Steve's guitar work was pretty impressive, especially the fact that it was so versatile. He'd play a really fun, upbeat number and shift gears to a ballad and then sing an a capella number (i.e., vocals without instrumental accompaniment). He actually stayed in key - an amazing feat for a live solo a capella performance! What I found really unique about Steve's set is that he throws in some old British folk tunes (and some originals that just sound like they are). It was very nice to hear them, since many performers that I've heard lately are pretty much steering away from these old songs. It seems that they aren't ``contemporary" enough or something.

Anyway, Steve's voice is strong and nice to listen to. It often sounds a bit ``country-ish," but the music is not exactly country. I don't know how often he plays, but I do know that he was recently trying to mix down another album. I think he has one already. If you get a chance, you should give Steve Denyes a listen!

The Bill Dudley Group was formed in April 1994 to play at a wedding. Since then their unique brand of music has entertained audiences in many area coffeehouses, restaurants and other performing venues. They played at the opening festival of the Escondido Performing Arts Center and on "Jazz Live" on KSDS, Jazz 88.3 FM. Other shows include appearances at Iguana Music in Del Mar, the Pannikin in Point Loma, Xprezzo's Cafe in Rancho Bernardo and JJ's Jollyboat next to Seaport Village in San Diego.

Bill Dudley, a former Minnesotan, has studied violin with Chris Vitas and Elisabeth Matesky. A veteran of numerous youth and community symphony orchestras, including the University of San Diego Symphony, Bill is also a multiple-award winner of the Julian Banjo & Fiddle Contest.

Originally from West Virginia, Paul Hormich started playing in rock bands in high school. Switching to the string bass about five years ago, he has played with a number of bands around San Diego County. He can be heard on Steve White's "Works" cassette tape.

Chris Griffin has performed at the Better Worlde Galleria, Choices Restaurant and numerous local coffeehouses. He studies guitar with local legend Robin Henkel. Chris is the featured vocalist of the band.

Jim has two albums out, Chansonnier (1991) and I Learned This By Heart (1993/1995). They're both really great albums, but the best way to catch Jim is to actually see him perform live. I think he's at his best when playing instrumentals. He uses alternate tunings, a lot, and he's very smooth on the fret-board. His (instrumental) style seems to be influenced by traditional Irish folk music, but also people like John Renbourne and Alex de Grassi.

At the close of the 1980's, Don Everett Pearce was just another rock and roll refugee. A Telecaster-wielding frontman with no band and no vehicle for his songwriting muse. Don had played for three years in a tight U2/Who/punk-influenced trio called Carnival, which was formed in 1985 with pals John Davis and Patrick Dennis (a.k.a. Byron Nashe) during their junior year at San Dieguito High School in Encinitas, California.

When Carnival broke up suddenly in 1988, it began a period of frustration for Don as he tried different line-ups only to find that he was missing that magic and group chemistry that the original combo had. What rescued him from his rock and roll doldrums was the sudden explosion of San Diego area coffeehouse venues during the early part of this decade. It created new opportunities for performing which were virtually nonexistent before that time. A supportive community of singer/songwriters and newly established coffeehouse musicians helped Don make the transition to the solo acoustic format. ``I really had to learn to write solid songs," he says. ``When you're up there by yourself with just a guitar and your voice, there's nothing to hide behind. If your songs are weak, it shows."

With his simple, rhythmic guitar playing and passionate voice, Don delivers songs that - like those of his main songwriting mentor, Bob Dylan - are so rich in imagery, metaphor, and just plain content that it's just about impossible to digest it all during the first listen. ``I give the listener credit for having a brain. I like to leave things open for people to be able to relate it to their own lives and their own experiences."

Don Everett Pearce has been a regular on the San Diego acoustic scene since 1992, and has had several of his songs aired on 95.9 KKOS FM (now 95.7 KUPR) during their Locals segments over the years. Don't be surprised if you catch him slipping back into that old rock and roll stance once in a while. It's still in his blood and he's not likely to become an old folkie any time real soon.

You can reach Don at:
P.O. Box 639
Del Mar, CA 92014