The Dillards

Court Square Stage, Saturday night

Doug Dillard: Sunday, Court Square Stage, Banjo Workshop

Mayberry Ministries: Rodney and Beverly Dillard, Gospel Stage, Saturday afternoon

As boys in Salem, Missouri, Rodney and Doug Dillard began to pick the tunes that would eventually lead them to a prominent spot in music history. As part of a family band with Doug on banjo, Rodney on guitar, Mom on guitar, Dad on fiddle and brother Earl on piano, their music was the highlight of area square dances, pie suppers and fairs, and began a career path that has crossed and influenced a list of performers that reads like a "Who’s Who" of the music industry for the past 40 years.

Rodney and Doug continue to tour and record together as "The Dillards." They front a 4-5 piece all-acoustic band that always maintains the exemplary sound of "The Dillards."

After joining forces with childhood friends, Mitch Jayne and Dean Webb, all agreed to forsake their "secure" jobs, and for Rodney, college, and try their hands at being full time musicians. So they struck out for California in 1962 with little more that their dreams and their talent. Car problems in Oklahoma City led them to take a week’s booking at the "Buddhi Club," ending the week with $300 to complete the trip. Soon after reaching the West Coast they were heard by Jim Dickson, talent scout and producer for Electra Records and the group signed their first recording contract.

Their debut album, "Back Porch Bluegrass" was released in 1963 to critical acclaim. In that same year, Dickson asked them to help him out with a couple of instrumental albums featuring a little known guitarist named Glen Campbell. The two albums, "12 String Guitar" and "12 String Guitar, Vol.2" were released under the name "Folkswingers." In 1964 the boys were asked to audition for the parts of "The Darling Boys" on the Andy Griffith TV show, the musical mountain family that created chaos each time they visited Mayberry. The show’s star was delighted to have them join the cast and allowed them to perform their own material on the show. The popularity of their debut release led to a spot as featured guests on Judy Garland’s television special the same year.

Throughout the 60’s "The Dillards" were a driving force in creating new sounds in an ever changing musical environment. Their music was sometimes a great upset to the Bluegrass purists as they amplified their instruments, added drums and used the decidedly "un-Bluegrass" sound of a steel guitar. However, the music had caught the ear of the consumers and was decidedly a hit, even breaking through to the Pop Chart with "It’s About Time" in 1971.

Their individual endeavors also met with success: Mitch Jayne as an author whose first book, "Forest In The Wind" was published in 1966. Then followed "Fish Hawk" published in 1969, and releases as a movie in 1980; Doug Dillard as a premiere banjo picker who worked with the groups and with such legends as Bill Monroe; Dean Webb with harmony arrangements for "The Byrds" and Rodney Dillard as a producer and a master of "new" sounds in the studio.

The group toured widely with acts that included "The Byrds" and Elton John. Rodney and Doug are heard on the movie sound track from "Bonnie and Clyde" as well as appearances in the movie "The Rose." Their music continued to gain momentum and fans. Throughout their ground breaking careers they have worked with a plethora of other young musicians. The legendary Byron Berline, at the time a 19 year old fiddlers, was featured on their third album, "The Dillards with /byron Berlin: Pickin’ and Fiddlin’." Herb Pederson, of Desert Rose Band fame, was the group’s banjo picker after Doug’s departure in the 60’s. Many other well known players worked with the Dillards including John Lennon and The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Rodney also performed with Earl Scruggs and Ricky Skaggs. The group, especially Rodney and Doug, had a long musical association with the legendary John Hartford, a life long friend until his death in 2001.

During the late 1960’s Doug Dillard separated from the group to chart his own course, first with Gene Clark as "Dillard and Clark" and later with "The Doug Dillard Band," while other members continued to tour and perform as "The Dillards." Rodney Dillard, Dean Webb and Mitch Jayne had all settled back in their home state of Missouri, but Rodney Dillard continued to perform, releasing several solo albums.

Their music has continued to hold on to a loyal fan base and every year gains new followers with their appearances in concert and at Mayberry reunion celebrations across the country. Many of their early recordings have been re-released, with more on the way, as new generations discover the purity and appeal of their music. Whether you’re a long time fan, or have just "discovered" them, "The Dillards" are an indelible part of music – with unequaled instrumentations, superior harmonies and tunes such "Dooley," "Old Home Place," and "There Is A Tim" (which is one of the tracks on the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s 2002 album, "Will the Circle Be Unbroken III") that can still compete with any of today’s releases.

TODAY’S DILLARDS

Rodney and Doug continue to tour and record together as "The Dillards." They front a 4-5 piece all-acoustic band that always maintains the exemplary sound of "The Dillards."

Mitch Jayne is retired from touring, due to health reasons, but continues to be active in "Life" at his home in Eminence, Missouri. Mitch is a storyteller par excellence, a master of humor, Ozark culture and linguistic history. He will be performing on the "Tales & Talk" stage at The Old Time Music Ozark Heritage Festival.

Dean Webb is still active in music, working riverboat and lake cruises and other music venues near his home in Reeds Spring, Missouri.

Occasionally the 4 mates re-unite for special occasions, such as the Carnegie Hall "Tribute to Woody Guthrie" (Nov. 2002) with Arlo Guthrie and Pete Seeger.