November 8, 2012
Dean Phelps combines the rhythmic beat of thumbpicking guitar with a soulful vocal style. Part blues and part old school country, Dean stirs that style 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 players 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.
Dean has appeared as the featured guest on and has performed at Denver area venues like the and .
It was a kind of grace note, undeserved. Ellen Creager The Michigan Traveler If you like your music wrapped around you like a comfortable sweater….that’s exactly what you’ll find here. It’s a rare treat. Rick Garrett Dean is one of the nicest, friendliest guys I know, and [he] plays like cool water on a warm summer day. Dan Bent If you want to kick back, relax, enjoy toe tapping tunes, soul searching lyrics, gleeful melodies and that overall feeling of ‘Oh gosh, I think I am HAPPY right now!’…. then be sure to spend time with Dean Phelps. Jill Ditmire He is Reverend Dean Phelps with no apologies, but even though he’s a Reverend, he’s not very churchy. He’s a regular guy with a fun repertoire, relaxed manner, nice picking, and a friendly way of putting a song across. Doc Possom Phelps … has fallen in love with some of America’s first authentic music — the folk and gospel from the late 1800s and early 1900s. The haunting melodies and hopeful lyrics seem to bring a positivity that appeals… to audiences as well. Ryan Trares The picking is of the highest quality, and as for Phelps’ vocals, no words of praise can depict how sublime they really are. Russell Hill
Albums (2012): A collection of hymns and gospel songs in the thumbpicking Travis style. (2008): An acoustic tribute to singer-songwriter roots. (2006): Exploring a variety of musical influences. (1997): Songs of faith, still available as a digital download.
How To Play An Acoustic Guitar For Beginners Step By Step How To Play Acoustic Guitar 101