Dennis hails from the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC, where he grew up steeped in the great music of the 60’s and 70’s—be it pop, rock, country, folk or the pervasive Motown and Soul of the DC area.
He started playing as a solo performer in clubs and bars from the late 70’s into the 80’s around the metropolitan DC area, the Chesapeake Bay, and at beach resorts along the Maryland and Delaware shore. He could just as easily be found playing in a Georgetown club as a Chesapeake marina resort, or singing Jimmy Buffet songs in swimsuit & Hawaiian shirt at a beach side pool bar in Ocean City.
It was eclectic, but more than that . . . a lot of fun! And it suited his freestyle playing, story telling, and interacting with and entertaining his audience.
During that time he also developed a love and deep appreciation for the Chesapeake Bay with its little fishing villages, coves and creeks, abundant wildlife and the people who made their livelihood plying it’s waters for crab and oysters—much of which is reflected in his song “Chesapeake” which was voted the theme song for Chesapeake Appreciation Day.
Dennis’ original songs can be direct, blunt, and spoken from the heart, while others can be light, melodic, whimsical, and sentimental…but true. Two sides of the coin called life.
He has a broad repertoire of songs, interspersing diverse 60’s, 70’s & 80's covers with originals, playing his guitar, harmonica and keyboard with a high energy, or laid back style, all tailored to the audience and venue. A Charlottesvillian since 2000, he loves the area’s rolling mountains and playing his music at its many beautiful vineyards, orchards, breweries, and bars.
“Playing background music can be fine, but I always enjoy a setting where I can interact with my audience by telling the back story to cover songs, introducing my originals, and of course requests are always encouraged. I’ve always loved to engage, entertain and perform for people.”
