Bio
Chase Dabney’s genre-bending music
and memorable performance style places him among the most awe inspiring
musicians of his generation. His unique
approach to acoustic guitar, described by the Louisville Music News as an “acoustic guitar beatdown,” features
pounding rhythms, vast dynamics, mind-blowing speed, and pinpoint accurate
harmonics. Earning praise and awards
throughout the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, his high-energy,
stunningly visual live shows combine the comedic wit and attitude of Bill Hicks
with Cirque Du Soleil-esque guitar acrobatics and music that sounds like
Beethoven and Tommy Emmanuel’s love child on speed. Chase’s diverse visual style and complex
music reflects his personal journey to the upper echelons of respected
guitarists.
Growing up as part of a non-musical family in southern
Kentucky, Chase had limited exposure to musicians and live music. He had never considered playing an instrument
until age 12, when a friend suggested they start a band. Randomly selecting to play guitar, Chase’s
parents gave him his first axe and a year’s worth of lessons as a Christmas
present. The proposed band never formed,
but Chase took to playing guitar as naturally as breathing. Three years later, amazed at his nascent
talent, an employee at the local music store, Eric Weber, approached Chase
about recording a few songs at his home studio.
At the youthful age of 15, Chase recorded “Up in the Sky” and
“Summersong” by Joe Satriani and “The Attitude Song” by Steve Vai. The recording was never released, but the
experiment was successful. A child
prodigy was born.
In 2002, upon graduating as class valedictorian and being
awarded full academic and music scholarships, Chase made the leap from
Smalltown, USA to the big city in order to study Classical Guitar Performance
at the University of Louisville. His
hometown hero ego was quickly crushed by his guitar instructor, Daniel
Boring. Known for his no nonsense
teaching style, Boring told Chase early on, “I don’t care what you have played
up until now and I really don’t care how good everyone has told you you
are. Classical guitar is a completely
different world.” Looking back on that
moment Chase reflects, “When he said that to me, my heart sank to my
knees. Later I got pissed off. ‘Who does this guy think he is?’ It wasn’t until a few months passed that I
realized he was absolutely right. [It
was] Probably the most influential thing anyone has ever said to me.”
Chase was diligently working to improve his craft when a
2003 visit with a friend and fellow guitarist inadvertently expanded his
musical horizons. While jamming on the
back porch, Chase’s friend introduced him to open tunings. Immediately, a new world of musical
possibilities opened up before Chase’s eyes and he began frantically writing
new material. Later that year, he
recorded and independently released his first album, Acoustic Sounds. Taking his
material to the live arena, the folklore of Chase
Dabney began as people showed up in droves and word spread about the kid
who spoke like a good ol’ boy but had mastered his art like a true Renaissance
man.
In 2004, Chase embarked on the bravest and most influential
journey of his career to date. He
enrolled in a study abroad program through U of L that would allow him to pursue
his classical guitar studies in Australia under the tutelage of the world
renowned teacher, Isolde Schaupp. While
studying at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Chase befriended Ross
Lawrie, owner of the city’s most famous independent music club, the Indie
Temple. Surrounded by a diverse mix of
bands and performers, Chase became a regularly featured performer and a
must-see act at the Indie Temple due to the allure of his live performances,
particularly his “Table Dance.”
Chase’s Australian residency launched a whirlwind year of
musical activity and expansion. After
finishing his studies at UQ, he returned to Louisville where he continued to
tour throughout the Midwest. He recorded
and released his second album, Ruapheu,
named one of 2005’s best albums by the Louisville
Eccentric Observer and performed on Louisville’s live local morning show, Fox in the Morning. His prowess on the guitar coupled with the
power of his live show helped him land gigs in Wellington, New Zealand,
Toronto, Canada, and a return to Brisbane, where his performances were captured
for the DVD, Chase Dabney Live at the
Indie Temple.
After performing over
500 times and releasing two albums in two years as a solo artist, Chase decided
to direct his talents to a new arena, rock n’ roll. He co-founded the band Burn to Shine,
continuing to draw recognition for his abilities as a guitarist and his
vigorous stage presence. In 2009, Burn
to Shine recorded Signs of What’s to Come
with legendary producer, Toby Wright, at Ocean Studios and Resonate Studios in
Burbank, California. The band toured
throughout the Midwest, but eventually decided to call it quits because of the
tough economic climate and struggling music industry. Chase continued to pursue his art, serving
for a time as a touring guitarist and bassist for platinum recording artist
Days of the New, and playing in other Louisville bands. In 2010, the people of Louisville selected
him to play lead guitar for the Louisville All-Star band.
Chase is currently based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where
he is breathing new life into his solo career.
Approaching his craft with renewed vigor and enthusiasm, he recently
said, “I haven’t felt this excited about my writing, my performances, and my
fans in years!” Despite nearly four
years of rarely performing solo, Chase won the 2011 Project Acoustic showcase
and continues to win over crowds in his new hometown.
With a plethora of new music that exhibits his growth as a
musician, Chase is set to record his next solo album in late 2011. His increasingly rigorous tour schedule
continues to expand his music to new fans and new horizons.
The road warrior, the prodigy, the rock star of the acoustic
guitar, Chase Dabney is proving note-by-note that instrumental acoustic guitar
is not just background music.
