History of the Band
A long time ago (well, 1992), in a basement far,
far away (Fredericksburg, VA to be exact), three guys got together to
learn a couple dixieland tunes for a club date. It was during this
rehearsal that the idea for the Dixie Power Trio was born. A dixieland
band that played rock and roll! Andy Kochenour provided the steady bass
lines on his tuba, Zack Smith churned out the melodies on his cornet,
and Bert Carlson added rhythm banjo and vocals in the original
incarnation of the group, which soon added Byron McWilliams to provide
drum grooves. After a trip to the local pawn shop, Zack was soon playing
accordion, washboard, and harmonica with the DPT, taking on the role of
resident multi-instrumentalist. (He now endorses Hohner Blues Harps and
Tee Don's are the "Official Rubboards of the DPT".)
The band recorded their first CD Out of Control
a year later and started receiving national attention through airplay on
NPR’s All Things Considered while becoming notorious for their takes on
“Stairway to Heaven” and “Freebird.” Soon, the group was out touring the
country, recording their sophomore CD, Greetings From Gumboville, and
trying to cope with the inevitable band tension that came with the
increased workload. Byron eventually dropped out to spend more time with
his three beautiful children (all girls!), and Ryan Diehl came aboard to
man the drum chair. After seven years of playing “Staiway to Heaven”
nightly and not a lot of progress towards the goal of fame and fortune,
the DPT decided it was time to start shifting away from the goofy nature
of their early repertoire and time to start playing the music it was
most comfortable with. Goodbye Stairway, Freebird, Dueling Banjos--
hello zydeco, jazz, and originals. It was during this period that Bert
left to pursue his wilderness living dreams, and guitar virtuoso Wayne
Wilkinson joined the group.
Soon the band was in the studio laying down its
third CD Ain’t My Fault, and beginning the process of reintroducing
itself to the public. After a number of well-received performances at
venues such as the Kennedy Center (D.C.) and the Krannert Center (IL),
and with newfound popularity on the web, the DPT had begun establishing
itself as the East Coast’s premier New Orleans music ensemble. It was
also during this time that the group began occasionally doing
performances as the New Line Brass Band, with its beefed up front line
(check out their CD Bad Spuds!) A few more changes were in store as Ryan
departed for greener pastures and the band welcomed back Byron--who was
now much more available with his children starting school. Wayne decided
to spend more time honoring his spiritual calling, which led to the
entrance of Gantt Kushner into the group. The boys recorded their first
live CD, Let’s All Go Down To New Orleans, a year later. The last change
in the lineup happened at the end of 2004, as Wayne Wilkinson rejoined
the band on the guitar chair.
Join in on the rapidly expanding
parade of DPT faithful—as always, we aim to please!
