Last night, Doyle Dykes packed the house at the Skokie Theatre in Skokie, Illinois.
I recall going to the Skokie Theatre in the 70's when it was still a movie theater. I always thought one day it would be torn down because it was so old, small and run-down. But instead, it has been renovated into a world class concert venue with some amazing acoustics and pleasing decor.
I felt a bit of nostalgia going to the theater because it had been one that I visited as a teenager to watch discount movies. I found out on the radio on Thursday night while listening to DJ's "Steve and Johnnie" on WGN Radio 720 that it had been built in 1917 and that Charlie Chaplin had made his first movie by the Skokie Theatre! I never knew that!
The night opened with introductions from hosts Steve King and Johnnie Putman from WGN AM radio. Long-time friends of Doyle Dykes, it was fitting that they would be the ones to introduce him.
Surprisingly, when Doyle asked how many people had never seen him perform before, a lot of hands went up. Often, Doyle packs the house with fans who had seen him before. But this time, there were lots of new fans. In fact, people came from several states just to attend this concert!
For me, I had seen Doyle perform many times. However, I have to say that perhaps this was the first time that I had really heard Doyle play at an acoustically perfect room. He sounded fantastic! The house sound was flawless and from where I was sitting (on the second level) it was great!
Besides Doyle performing, daughter Haley Dykes did several songs as well. Once again, she sang beautifully and played her mandolin nicely as well. In fact, early next year, she will be opening for Earl Scruggs... so she's going "big time!" And, she will be working on a new CD soon too. That's exciting!
Later in the show, Doyle asked Steve King to help play guitar on stage too! The night before, Steve had accompanied Doyle on the guitar as Doyle played the banjo for the radio audience. It was the first time I had ever heard Doyle play a banjo and had often wondered if he played or not. Of course he does! And he did it just fine too. So as Doyle got ready to play the banjo on stage, he invited Steve to the stage to play once again. Steve did a great job and it was fun to see Doyle play with someone accompanying him. I've never seen him play with anyone else other than Haley on mandolin.
Later, at the end of the evening, Doyle invited Steve up again, but this time Doyle presented him with a Taylor Doyle Dykes Signature Model guitar as a gift! Steve later told me that the gift left him speechless... something DJ's never are! On the radio the night before, Steve had joked that one day he would like to buy a Taylor guitar. Well, now he won't have to buy one! Congratulations!
It was a terrific evening filled with wonderful music. Thanks to the management at the Skokie Theatre for allowing me to take photos of the evening and for turning the old Skokie Theatre into a fabulous music venue. Be sure to click on each image for a closer look.
I recall going to the Skokie Theatre in the 70's when it was still a movie theater. I always thought one day it would be torn down because it was so old, small and run-down. But instead, it has been renovated into a world class concert venue with some amazing acoustics and pleasing decor.
I felt a bit of nostalgia going to the theater because it had been one that I visited as a teenager to watch discount movies. I found out on the radio on Thursday night while listening to DJ's "Steve and Johnnie" on WGN Radio 720 that it had been built in 1917 and that Charlie Chaplin had made his first movie by the Skokie Theatre! I never knew that!
The night opened with introductions from hosts Steve King and Johnnie Putman from WGN AM radio. Long-time friends of Doyle Dykes, it was fitting that they would be the ones to introduce him.
Surprisingly, when Doyle asked how many people had never seen him perform before, a lot of hands went up. Often, Doyle packs the house with fans who had seen him before. But this time, there were lots of new fans. In fact, people came from several states just to attend this concert!
For me, I had seen Doyle perform many times. However, I have to say that perhaps this was the first time that I had really heard Doyle play at an acoustically perfect room. He sounded fantastic! The house sound was flawless and from where I was sitting (on the second level) it was great!
Besides Doyle performing, daughter Haley Dykes did several songs as well. Once again, she sang beautifully and played her mandolin nicely as well. In fact, early next year, she will be opening for Earl Scruggs... so she's going "big time!" And, she will be working on a new CD soon too. That's exciting!
Later in the show, Doyle asked Steve King to help play guitar on stage too! The night before, Steve had accompanied Doyle on the guitar as Doyle played the banjo for the radio audience. It was the first time I had ever heard Doyle play a banjo and had often wondered if he played or not. Of course he does! And he did it just fine too. So as Doyle got ready to play the banjo on stage, he invited Steve to the stage to play once again. Steve did a great job and it was fun to see Doyle play with someone accompanying him. I've never seen him play with anyone else other than Haley on mandolin.
Later, at the end of the evening, Doyle invited Steve up again, but this time Doyle presented him with a Taylor Doyle Dykes Signature Model guitar as a gift! Steve later told me that the gift left him speechless... something DJ's never are! On the radio the night before, Steve had joked that one day he would like to buy a Taylor guitar. Well, now he won't have to buy one! Congratulations!
It was a terrific evening filled with wonderful music. Thanks to the management at the Skokie Theatre for allowing me to take photos of the evening and for turning the old Skokie Theatre into a fabulous music venue. Be sure to click on each image for a closer look.
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