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Guitarist, Vocalist, Composer, Guitar Instructor
TEACHING
Everyone should have music in their lives, and it's never too late to start learning, listening, jamming and sharing. Having devoted much time and energy to teaching guitar, music theory, student ensembles, and professional audio, I continue to derive immense pleasure helping guitarists of all ages become the best musician they can be.
Teaching at one of the Twin Cities most storied institutions for a few decades, the West Bank School of Music, has inspired me to explore and experience that wide variety of music genres in the company of some of the region's most talented musicians and music instructors: Bill Hinkley, Butch Thompson, Clint Hoover, Dave Ray, Eddie Berger, Milo Fine, Karen Mueller, James Allen, Tom Pletscher, Mary Bohman, Jim Ouska, James Kellerman, Liz Draper, Tasha Baron - and many more. These valuable associations led to memorable performance or recording collaborations over the years, a greater understanding of ensemble-playing and music improvisation, and a sharper focus on what it takes to become an effective teacher.
PERFORMANCE
Based in the beautiful and art-centric Twin Cities, I've been an active musician and music instructor since 1977. I love "everything guitars," performing on steel-string and nylon-string acoustic guitars, electric guitar, mandolin, tenor ukulele and electric bass as a soloist, and in duos, trios and larger groups.
I've enjoyed, been influenced by, studied and performed a wide range of music genres: folk, rock, blues, jazz (especially Big Band era and Latin), country, bluegrass, western swing, ragtime, classical, reggae and rockabilly. My personal favorites lean toward “vintage”, but the repertoire extends to modern day sounds and artists as well.
In recent years, composing on the guitar has become an important and fulfilling passion, infusing elements of many music styles. Re-discovering the magic of the nylon-string has inspired several new instrumentals - some are on the Listen & Watch, more to come. It's all part of a marvelous journey that keeps me learning, growing, and sharing through music.
Check out my flagship band, The Riff Rangers - a fun and versatile quintet/sextet/octet populated by top-notch Twin Cities musicians. Geared for both popular concerts and event music, our snappy repertoire runs from Big Band era jazz and Western swing, to vintage blues and rock, Americana, bluegrass and country.
The Riff Ranger motto: Expect Cool Riffs
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In fall 2019, I began working with vocalist Kristen Olsen Rodriguez. This exciting new collaboration resulted in the formation of a duo with an emphasis on vocal harmony. Our music ranges from Jason Mraz to Eric Clapton, the Beatles to Cole Porter and Bob Wills to Simon & Garfunkel. Unfortunately, COVID-19 severely limited our ability in 2020 to continue rehearsals and curtailed engagements. Fortunately, by mid 2021 we could resume performing, and Kristen joined The Riff Rangers as a new lead and harmony vocalist.
In June 2021 vocalist/actress Rhiannon Fiskradatz began working with Kristen and I to form a singing trio, and a revitalized vocal core of The Riff Rangers. A dynamic lead and harmony singer, "Rainy" contributes a wonderful timbre and presence to our singing collaborations.
In May 2022, we officially launched Argyle Street Trio. Comprised of Kristen, Rhiannon and myself, we blend our 3 very different lead and harmony voices with a goal of treating audiences to a smorgasbord of vocal fun and excitement. Set to guitar accompaniment and hand percussion, we venture to a wide variety of genres: Big Band jazz and Hot Club, Western swing, vintage rock and blues, bluegrass and country. Sometimes the trio adds electric or upright bass, to enhance the instrumental palette and sport some snappy instrumentals. Please visit our Shows & Events to see upcoming shows.
In 2022, both The Riff Rangers and Argyle Street Trio hit the recording studio. Please check the Listen & Watch page to hear the results . . .
By 2023, I began collaborating with vocalist and bassist Kathleen Conger. We formed a dynamic partnership initially geared to concerts at senior living facilities, but it grew to include popular concerts at a variety of venues, public and private events. By mid-2024 we officially became the musical entity Silk & Sandpaper, with a focus on lively vocal duets and classic instrumental numbers on guitars and electric bass. Now busy playing several events per month as a compact duo, we sometimes add guest artists as the Silk & Sandpaper Trio. These include drummer Will Kemperman from The Riff Rangers, and Eric Mohring from the New Riverside Ramblers and Cafe Accordion Orchestra. It makes for some entertaining sounds!
STUDIO WORK
In the studio, Dale's work includes guitar, bass and mandolin tracks for Minnesota Department of Natural Resources films, local radio commercials and guest tracks on several albums. Upcoming projects will include albums of original guitar and tenor ukulele instrumentals, and also The Riff Rangers. Stay tuned.
ARTS ADMINISTRATION
The Ensemble Program
Beginning in 1985, I served as Executive Director of West Bank School of Music for six years. In that capacity, I created and coordinated the WBSM Ensemble Program - arguably the first successful one of its kind in the Twin Cities. Attracting over 200 new students to the school, the program recruited students into bands, each geared to a specific music style and skill level, and led by a faculty musician. The Ensemble Program provided a perfect vehicle for students to learn how to play effectively in a music group, arrange instrumental and vocal parts, learn to solo, work with professional PA equipment, prepare for performances and in some cases, record in a studio. In one year, WBSM booked 41 student ensemble performances at venues in the Twin Cities region.
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During my tenure as a board member and later, executive director of West Bank School of Music, I organized the Twin Cities first Marching Guitar Orchestra. This unique parade event (230 guitarists!) performed in four different years - featured in several Cedarfest celebrations, the annual music and arts festival held in the heart of the West Bank Theater District in Minneapolis, and St. Paul's Grand Old Days parade.
Delighting thousands of on-lookers, the MGO drew photographers from the Minneapolis Star Tribune, St. Paul Pioneer Press, Minnesota Daily, and community newspapers. A large photo graced page 1A of the Star Tribune in two different years (pretty cool at the time, as the internet was in it's infancy). Drawing guitars players - both amateur and professional - from the Twin Cities, out state MN and western Wisconsin, the event is remembered fondly to this day by this diverse group of crazy musicians (note the 3 marching upright bass players in the foreground).
Picture this: Hundreds of guitarists, clad in the official MGO T-shirt, stretched over two city blocks marching behind a large pickup truck. Built on the pickup truck bed, a wooden platform. Sitting atop the "crow’s nest" was conductor Michael O'Sullivan, waving a 20" diameter, bright orange dot on a broomstick handle - easily viewable 3 blocks away. There were 3 "chord flashers" on the rear of the platform: Joan Griffith, Dean Morrison, and yours truly (the "G man") on the right. At any given moment, one door-sized chord (G, C, D7, A7 or Em) was displayed to the orchestra, bouncing to the rhythm of the conductor. This visual had on-lookers laughing, crying, pointing and singing. My position as a chord bouncer provided a great vantage point. Unforgettable.
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