Blacktop Outlaw, a band that was derived from classic country artists such as Lynyrd Skynyrd and Willie Nelson began as merely an idea. This class of Outlaw country music is what sprung the band down the path of Red Dirt Texas Country. Lead singer Danny Dillon was out with family and friends in College Station when the spark of starting up a band of his own came to be. With a few beers and listening to a few local artist play he began rattling off ideas of names for the band, Dirt road Outlaws, Back road Outlaw and the list went on. Suddenly it hit him living in the South East area if you weren’t on a dirt road then you lived on a blacktop road with that one stop sign at the end. Thus Blacktop Outlaw emerged with the grunge of Outlaw country music, the picking of Cajun music, the twang of Classic Country, and Rocking of Red Dirt Texas Country. The band began playing in the South East area of Texas in a small town called Brookeland Texas. Dillon’s family owned a local bar called Solley’s where the band opened up for several acts that are becoming quite known in the DFW area and all over. A few of those artist’s were Johnny Cooper, Rich O’Toole, Jimmy Kaiser, Kyle Bennett Band, and Forever Falls. From there the band moved into the Denton area playing at several bars in the surrounding area such as Loose Wheels, Up in Smoke Barbeque, Dogs And Hogs, and PD’s Place. Although now the band plays at local bars in the surrounding areas they are looking forward into a brighter future. Dillon goes on to say that he hopes this is just the beginning and that bigger stages, venues, and maybe even stadium performances will soon be in their grasp.

Danny Dillon was born into a family of music, with the love and support of his grandparents and musically talented mom it was no surprise that he began to sing and perform at age 4. What started off as just voice lessons soon turned into shows at the Irving Opry and multiple venues and festivals. But his love for singing wasn’t enough. At age 5 he received his first guitar and broadened his world even more. As he began to grow so did his love of music. Throughout school any class that involved a musical scale you would find him there. With his open mind he began to wonder into the world playing at his father’s bar in South East Texas. This was the first location that featured what is now BlackTop Outlaw, An idea that was sparked over a few beers in a local Irish pub at College Station. From that one night of wild ideas sprung a band with six strings and a story to tell. From that point on lead singer and rhythm guitarist Danny Dillon continues his love for music by writing and playing what is called Red Dirt/Texas Country. Which was influenced by some of the greats such as Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, George Straight and Eli Young Band.

Lucas Pittman (Bassist for Blacktop Outlaw) started playing music at the age of 10 after receiving his first guitar lesson from his cousin. From there at age 14 he played his first show in his hometown of Pottsboro TX. Pittman had many musical influences growing up such as, Johnny Cash, George Jones, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Bob Wills and many others. Through school he mostly favored Traditional Country but also enjoyed a wide variety of Jazz, Blues, Southern Rock, and Texas Red Dirt Country. Pittman is currently a senior studying music at The University of North Texas in Denton. He is working on his Bachelors Degree in music along with his studying of Jazz and Vocal Performance.

Ethan Dorsett (Lead Guitarist for Blacktop Outlaw) at the age of 10 began playing music after attending his first live concert featuring Paul McCartney. Shortly after his newfound love of the art he received his first guitar and began his journey as a singer/songwriter. Dorsett goes on to say that his main influences were the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin, and Jimi Hendrix. Although as he dove deeper into the music world he discovered the twang and outlaw side of music know as country. He soon began following his family’s love of Country artists. Those that Dorsett favored most were Ryan Bingham, Willie Nelson, George Straight, Zac Brown Band, and Albert Lee.
Moving forward in his life he began college at the University of North Texas where he is now a sophomore.

Dallas Durham (Rhythm Guitarist for Blacktop Outlaw) began playing guitar at the age of 12 while living in Pryor Oklahoma. His musically gifted family was the greatest support group any one person could ask for. With inspiration from Chet Atkins, Stoney LaRue, Johnny Cash, Chris LeDoux, and Garth brooks its no wonder why his love for the Red Dirt Texas country music lead him to the sound of Blacktop Outlaw.
Aaron Cook (Drummer for Blacktop Outlaw)