Dean Phelps combines award-winning guitar skill with a soulful vocal style. He stirs his guitar and voice into a repertoire of songs from the late 19th and 20th centuries, creating a style that is reminiscent of performers like Doc Watson, Merle Travis, and Leon Redbone. The result is music to make you smile, darn ya, smile. Or, in the words of one testimonial, "If you want that overall feeling of 'Oh gosh, I think I am happy right now,' be sure to spend time with Dean Phelps."
Be the first to review Dean Phelps
Price Range: $200 - $500
Gig Length: 30 - 180 minutes
Languages: English
As a solo acoustic guitarist and vocalist, Dean Phelps provides musical entertainment for a variety of settings. He plays a family friendly repertoire in an entertaining and engaging style. One reviewer said, "If you like your music wrapped around you like a comfortable sweater, that's what you'll find here. It's a real treat."
Dean's live performances have been well received in a variety of venues. He is equally at home playing in cafes, restaurants, concert venues, churches, private parties, and business gatherings. He is astute at recognizing what is required and tailoring his performance to fit the setting.
Part blues and part old school country, seasoned with a pinch of gospel, Kentucky-born guitarist Dean Phelps combines the toe-tapping beat of thumbpick guitar with a soulful vocal style. He folds his guitar and voice into a repertoire of songs from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, creating a style that is reminiscent of performers like Merle Travis and Doc Watson with a hint of Leon Redbone.
Dean has earned both local and national recognition for his guitar playing, winning the Thumbpicking Guitar Contest at the Ozark Folk Center in Mountain View, Ark., and being named thumbpick guitar champion at the Indiana Picking and Fiddling Championship.
For most performances, I use a Bose L1 Compact system, which has a small footprint, but has proven adequate in just about every indoor and outdoor setting. If I am using the venue's sound system, I need two balanced inputs, one for a vocal mic and another for guitar. I prefer to play while seated and can bring my own folding stool.
When people ask about my favorite music, I usually tell them it's songs that are older than me. I mix songs from the early 20th century with songs from the singer-songwriters that have influenced me. I include a few original songs as well. While this is not an exhaustive list of my repertoire, these songs would typically appear on a set list.
Ain't Misbehavin' - Fats Waller - 1929
All of Me - Seymour Simons, Gerald Marks - 1931
Analog Girl - Guy Clark - 2006
--------------------
Bottomless Lake - John Prine - 1984
--------------------
Crooked Road - Darrell Scott - 2010
--------------------
Dark As A Dungeon - Merle Travis - 1946
Deep River Blues - Doc Watson - 1933
Diddie Wah Diddie - Blind Blake - 1929
--------------------
Fishin’ Hole - Andy Griffith - 1960
Five Foot Two - Sam Lanin and His Orchestra - 1925
Five Pounds of Possum - Tim White - 1993
--------------------
George Gudger's Overalls - Lawrence Hammond - 1976
Georgia on My Mind - Hoagy Carmichael - 1930
Going Away Party - Bob Wills - 1973
Going Home Someday - Roy Book Binder - 1993
Good Night Irene - Leadbelly - 1933
Guitar Rag - Merle Travis
--------------------
Hard Times Come Again No More - Stephen Foster - 1854
Heart of a Hobo - Kurt Fortmeyer, Billy Phillips - 2011
How Can I Keep from Singing - 1869
--------------------
I Ain't Got Nobody - Marion Harris - 1914
I Am a Pilgrim - Trad - 1924
I'll See You in My Dreams - Ray Miller’s Orchestra - 1924
If You Come Up Empty - Dean Phelps - 2008
It's a Sin to Tell a Lie - Billy Mayhew - 1936
--------------------
Life Gets Teejus, Don’t It - Doc Watson - 1948
Life Is Like a River - Doc Watson - 1991
--------------------
Make a Pallet on Your Floor - Traditional - 1908
My Dog Jesus - Kurt Fortmeyer - 2008
My Grandfather's Clock - Edison Quartet - 1876
My Walking Stick - Irving Berlin - 1938
--------------------
Nearer, My God, to Thee - Trad - 1841
Nine Pound Hammer - Merle Travis - 1946
Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out - Jimmie Cox - 1923
--------------------
On Jordan’s Stormy Banks - The Sacred Harp - 1787
Over the Rainbow - Judy Garland - 1938
--------------------
Play On, Pauline - Dean Phelps - 2010
Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone - Leon Redbone - 1931
Preacher and the Bear - 1904
--------------------
Ready for the Times To Get Better - Doc Watson - 1976
Road To Gundegai/Waltzing Matilda - Tommy Emmanuel - 1997
Rocking Chair - Hoagy Carmichael - 1929
Route 66 - Nat King Cole - 1946
--------------------
San Antonio Rose - Bob Wills - 1938
San Francisco Bay Blues - Jesse Fuller - 1954
Shanty in Old Shanty Town - Ted Lewis and His Band - 1932
Shine On Harvest Moon - Leon Redbone - 1908
Simple Gifts - Shaker Dance Song - 1849
Sitting on Top of the World - Walter Vinson - 1930
Sittin’ Here Pickin’ the Blues - Doc Watson - 1985
Smile, Darn Ya, Smile Medley - Billy Cotton - 1931
Smoke Smoke Smoke - Merle Travis, Tex Williams - 1947
Solid Gone - Doc Watson - 1930
Something to Love - Jason Isbell - 2017
Souvenirs - John Prine - 1972
Spanish Pipedream - John Prine - 1971
St. Louis Blues - William C Handy - 1916
Sweet Georgia Brown - Ben Bernie and His Hotel Roosevelt Orchestra - 1925
Sweet Sue - Mills Brothers - 1928
Sweet Temptation - Merle Travis - 1947
Sycamore Snap - Dean Phelps - 2021
--------------------
Telling My Troubles to My Old Guitar - Jimmy Wakely - 1949
That’s How I Got to Memphis - Tom T Hall - 1969
The Cape - Guy Clark - 1993
The Gospel - Goose Creek Symphony - 1972
The Hobo Song - John Prine - 1978
The Next Time I’m in Town - Mark Knopfler - 1990
The Place Where I Worship - R W Hampton - 1950
There'll Be Some Changes Made - Ethel Waters - 1921
Till I’m Too Old to Die Young - Moe Bandy - 1987
Traveling Man - Pink Anderson - 1962
Turn Your Radio On - Lulu Belle and Scotty - 1939
--------------------
Wabash Cannonball - William Kindt - 1904
Walk On Boy - Doc Watson - 1960
Wayfaring Stranger - Traditional - 1817
When You and I Were Young - G W Johnson - 1866
Windy and Warm Hotel California - Chet Atkins - 1961
World Is Waiting for the Sunrise, The - Les Paul, Mary Ford - 1919
Worried Blues - Doc Watson - 1926
I've played guitar since I was nine years old, and started playing professionally at 18. Over those years, I've had a number of influences, such as:
Doc Watson
Merle Travis
Leon Redbone
Chet Atkins
Pat Donahue
Etta Baker
Mississippi John Hurt
John Prine
Jason Isbell
Guy Clark
Lexington, KY 
Singing Guitarist
31 Verified Bookings Clinton S. said “Chris provided the music for a luau at our senior living community! He was engaging and his talent truly helped to elevate the event! I would recommend…”
Louisville, KY
Singing Guitarist
29 Verified Bookings Johny R. said “Stefan took on a tough job singing for my friend at her birthday trail ride. He could not have handled the challenges any better and the music was great.”
Louisville, KY
One Man Band
54 Verified Bookings Heather S. said “Brent was absolutely incredible! He’s such talented and dynamic performer as well as being professional and great to work with. He truly made the event!…”
Ft Mitchell, KY
Singing Guitarist
6 Verified Bookings Lisa H. said “Charlie John played for a 16-person dinner party at our home last weekend and he was incredible! Loved his song choices, his voice, his guitar skills.…”
List your services
Log In
