rob.darien
I never played any instrument except the radio until I moved to Baton Rouge and didn't know a soul.
Todd Westbrook taught me about 40 songs at $5 a piece, and I got my first paying gig 6 months after
picking up a guitar. It paid, but I can't say I earned my money. I would just sing louder when I
started screwing up on the guitar. Kind of like I do now. I did about 5 years of acoustic gigs to
pay the rent during college. Free beer and I got to hang out with my friends too. I started getting the bug to play with a band when I started jamming with some guys that hosted an open mic night in Tyler, Texas. CRAZY FROM THE HEAT. Rod was a member of that band and has been my drummer for about 4 years now.
I don't remember when I wrote my first song, but it was titled "ALL NIGHT LONG" and it made it onto my first CD. I don't have a long list of songs that I have written throughout the years. What I've written has been recorded. With the exception of a few that are half-written on my computer. I can't sit down to write a song and have anything productive come out of it. They just pop into my head when I hear a phrase or a play on words. Then I start humming and invariably, the TELE starts playing in the background.
My first CD has definitely been a learning experience. Promotion, radio airplay, booking, negotiating, traveling, lining up players for shows, sound systems, the whole music industry, and staying sane are everyday battles. I get all but 1 handled.
I am very excited about getting my the new CD to our great fans. They have heard most of this stuff during the past year or so, in our live shows, and I am ready to get it on their trucks and houses, and work radios.
I am usually drained after one of our shows because I feel everyone of these songs. They come from down deep, they have a true meaning to me, and that just flows out of me when I'm sing them. I like to feel the groove.
I usually tell our crowds, " We're gonna sing a few songs that you might not have ever heard. And when we're through with those, we're gonna sing some songs that I KNOW you ain't never heard." Then we get with our bid-niz. (If you know what this says, you are gonna be ah-ite wit the CD!)
I've had the privlidge of playing with some great musicians over the past 5 years. Robby Underwood, Jud Morrison, Jim Day, David Deaton, Marty Arbter, Eric Dobbins, Grant Cook, Mike Smith, and Todd Henry have all taught me something along the way. I know that if you surround yourself with musicians that are as talented as these guys are, some of it will rub off. I appreciate everyone of these guys and consider them all great friends.
BUT...I wouldn't take anything for the 3 guys that make our show happen every week.
Rod Davis has been my drummer for about 4 years. Don't try to find any dust on his drums. There ain't none. He's got a weird attachment to all the kits he's owned in these past few years. I think that's about a new kit every year.
Pete Jones filled in with me on an acoustic gig about a year ago. I played bass, and he played guitar. I still can't understand why he still wanted to do some gigs with me after trudging through a show with me on Bass. I'm glad he did because he can make a TELE walk and talk and twang and sang.
Anyhow, after doing a couple more shows on guitar (when we had a real bass player), he said he had a good friend who could play bass and they could ride together because he was from Texarkana. And along came another Jones...David that is....
David Jones is a Music Man playing SOB. I can always feel a groove when a band lays it down. On a CD or Live. Having that "kicked back" groove zone behind me, with David and Rod, makes our show leave you with a feeling like, " What just happened? I don't even like country music! "
After a few shows together, I told these guys that we were gonna change the name of the band to "The Honky-Tonk Groove Machine". David and Pete and Rod are the show, I'm just the guy up front with the teeth.
rod.davis (Drums and Jack Daniel Dispenser)
Rod is originally from the the Kansas City area. In grade school, he was a trumpet player, possibly
trying to follow in his brother's footsteps who was an acceptional trumpet player in high school.
But, when he saw Ringo Starr with the Beatles, everything changed. His father gave him an option at
16 years old, he would help him buy a car, or a drum set. He opted for the drums. For more than 30
years now, he has pursued his passion of playing the drums.Over the years, he has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with some incredible artists....some you would know, some you wouldn't. He would say that being included on a bill with greats like Johnny Lee, Eddie Money, Tanya Tucker, Gary Stewart, and many many more, should be cool enough in itself......but he'll be the first one to tell you that being a part of the local "Texas" music scene, and playing with all his friends is still what keeps him going from one show to the next. He never fails to learn something from week to week from his close friends in the music business.... and those friends remain to make it fun for him.
His family remains to be the driving force in his music career. His daughters, Kelli, Tiffany, and Tara...and his sons Brandon & Cameron....including his stepsons and stepdaughters, Amanda, Katy, Casey, & Justin are his biggest fans, and, as they say, "behind every man is a good woman" rings true with Rod. Terri goes to every show with him....regardless if there is ten people...or ten thousand. A million thanks goes out to all of them for their support during all these years.
Rod proudly plays and recommends the following gear...
Gretsch Drums, DW Hardware and Pedals, Vic Firth Drumsticks, Sabian Cymbals, Remo & Aquarian Drumheads, Sennheiser & Shure Microphones, and Mackie Sound & Support Systems.
pete.jones (Lead Guitar and Harmony Vocals)
Pete Jones, DOB May 5,1963. Pro musician & educator since age of 18.
Married his lovely wife Peggy in 1985. He has two sons, Parker & Preston, one
Granddaughter Nalaini Rae,age three. Has been working with David Jones must all
of my carrier in the business. He has been my brother since my family moved in
across the street from his family when I was nine months old.Has worked in many of the areas hottest groups both in house bands and regional traveling groups. Also extensive road work during the early 90's. Most recent group prior to The Outside Dawg's has a very rewarding four year run with the terrific songwriter, singer and friend Greg Gardner & Voodoo Cowboy !!
One thing Pete really enjoys about his gig with Rob is the original material we perform every night. In Pete's words, " The boy writes his ass off", But also recognizes good songs from other writers.He enjoys the energy and drive that Rob puts forth, with great material, positive attitude and ability to have fun yet maintain a professional show.
Rob & Pete met in 1993 at the Neon Moon in Shreveport where Pete was the band leader. During a talent competition Rob had entered. "I barely remember 1993" But, once he met Rob remembered the the event" said Pete.
They did not see each other until the first gig together in 2006. Rob talked to a friend of Pete's in a Texarkana Rocks.com chat room,had him give Pete his number & Pete called Rob. He has been with the Outside Dawgs every since.
Influences: George Benson, Phil Baugh, Randy Conner, James "The Man" Burton, Joe Walsh, and the late, great, Eddie Shaver !!!!!
Suggested Listening: Shaver Unshaven -Billy Joe Shaver- and anything recorded by George Benson!!!!!
Favorite Quotes:
david.jones (Professional BASS Guitar player since age 20.)
Background unknown. But from piecing together a few bits of evidence and folklore, here's what we came up with:Foundation upon which you can build your church!
Most recently spent 4 years playing with Greg Gardner and VooDoo Cowboy from Texarkana.
46 years old. "I was born at a very young age, but as the years passed, my birthdays came and went."
Biggest influences: Bee Spears, Dusty Hill, J.D. Cleghorn
Arsenal:
Interests:
What I want my grave marker to say..."Well Shit!"