None of this was on purpose; I stumbled into doing this when I retired. I started out by myself, then found a few real musicians who would play with me. Whether I'm playing solo or with a version of "Git In The Truck," what you'll hear will be a mostly upbeat mix of blues, country and rock; nothing that hurts. Somewhere between BB King and Ernest T. Bass.

I can bring as many people & instruments as you want; Whatever you have in mind. We can load up some fun for a last minute surprise or we can book well in advance. We're mighty flexible if we think there's gonna be fun.... For us AND everyone who joins us!
Nothing here
that's too
intense;

IT'S JUST A
RECLINER!!!
Until the next time the recliner calls...
A HOBBY THAT GOT OUT OF HAND
SOLO SESSIONS
FROM THE
RECLINER
We came to grab a beer and eat the sandwiches we picked up on the way after playing for three hours somewhere else;

They had a last minute surprise, so we had a few bites, and 20 minutes later we ended up playing for a couple hours.
THREE QUICK BITES & THE LAST GIG OF 2024
I don't ever play this song, but it was requested by one of the most entertaining characters we met in 2024, so we went ahead.

You had to be there to enjoy it fully, but turn the sound up and you can pick up an important tip about recording live music with your phone.
THE BEST VIDEO OF 2024 (ALSO THE WORST)
There wasn't time to bring in all the stuff that plugs in
I volunteered to play a couple of hours at the Giving Machines charity event in Bentonville, but I didn't volunteer to freeze my butt off. Haven't played in the bubble in a couple of years; It was just as warm as I remember it was...
BACK IN THE BUBBLE AGAIN
Shows     Tip Me     Dale Solo     Git in the Truck     Book a Show     More
MORE THAN ANYONE WOULD EVER WANT TO KNOW:

THE FINE PRINT (LITERALLY)
When I was in college, three of us decided to get cheap guitars and teach each other how to play. What happened was a lot of chili was made, beer was drunk, and maybe a few yoyos were checked and baited. The guitars were there, but there wasn't much teaching going on.

I spent the next thirty-something years working mainly in small towns and working as a high school teacher, coach, student dean, and principal. Most of the time I had a guitar, but it only got out of the corner maybe once a month or so for a few minutes. I looked at it a lot, thinking that one of these days....

When I retired, my wife and I went to a restaurant to see if their Muffaletta was any good. They were having an open mic and picking circle with some pretty entertaining characters. It's been pretty much a blur since then. Started playing in front of people and ran into a lot of folks I never should have, but I couldn't have planned things better if I'd have tried.

Now I send a few emails out every few months to ask people to look at this web page and give me a holler if they'd let me do it at their place. I met several people who agree to play with me and I'm still wondering why. They are all real musicians who've been playing pretty much forever; I'd put them up against anyone who's playing these days in Northwest Arkansas. Sooner or later they're bound to figure out they don't need me, but until then....

I have definitely been entertained more by all these people I've met than I've entertained them. I'm do this for the music, the stories, and the characters, not to mention that when I'm playing with "Git In The Truck," I've got the best seat in the house to watch musicians up close.

"Git In The Truck" is not just the name of a band; It's our mode of operation. Everyone has other things they're involved in and/or jobs that make it impossible to get together regularly, so we gather when we can. Sometimes GITT is a duet and sometimes a five piece group. I'm the only one who's at every show. My job is to bang on my guitar, sing, and let them go to work with whatever instruments they brought. I'm pretty sure I could take these folks and make a lot more money, but that will most likely never happen since it's impossible to make long-range plans that fit for everyone. Besides, that's not why any of us are doing this anyway.

I understand that I'm an average singing and playing old fart, and I won't be doing this for a long time. It's just fun, so I'll do it a little while longer. When it's not fun any more, I'll have some stuff to sell....

SOLO
MORE
OR
Thanks to all the people who whipped out their phones and shot the video clips on this web site while we were playing. I guess we could have paid professionals a ton of money to make slick and misleading videos, but we don't have dreams of making the big time; We just want to have a big time with everyone. This is pretty much what you get when we roll in...
I'll get around to booking some dates any day now. I just thought I'd hibernate for a
bit after 184 paid shows & a handful of volunteer deals in 2024..... plus I'm lazy....

Book the perfect fit for music and fun at your event! From one to five people and a wide variety of music. A little country, a little blues, a little rock; Original music, cover tunes, or a mix - whatever you want.


Original music, cover tunes, or a mix - whatever you want

Sound systems for any setting, whether it's inside, outside, large, or small

If it sounds fun, there's a good chance we'll probably do it!


BOOK A SHOW
CALENDAR

CALL OR TEXT DALE AT
479-365-9522
dalestokes@live.com

IF YOU CAN SEE A DATE,
I'M AVAILABLE

"X' MEANS NOT AVAILABLE

So far I/we have played at:

-restaurants  -  bars-hotel balconies  -  coffee shops  -  eclipse festivals  -  fundraisers  -  cookouts  -  farmer's markets  -  weddings  -  rehearsal dinners  -  elopement party  -  grand openings  -  business anniversaries  -  deer camps  -  bike races  -  corn maze/pumpkin patch  -  cub scout campout  -  halloween parties  -  Christmas parties  -  birthday parties  -  nursing homes  -  assisted living communities  -  celebration of life reception  -  Bentonville Testicle Festival  -  elementary school program


If we can fit in at all of these things, surely we can figure out a combination that will blend in with whatever you have in mind...


We can schedule as last-minute or far ahead as you need and we're very flexible.


If you're in a bind and need something quick, I'll either be available or at the very least be able to help you find someone else who's the right fit...