Dale Mills + Musician in Statesville, NC

SEEKING

ABOUT

I started playing music when my dad came home with a guitar for my brother, Davis. My dad didn’t play much but he showed me a few chords. I was almost 16, and a friend Walter Compton had is banjo on the school bus and I heard him playing “Foggy Mountain Breakdown.” That is when I decided I wanted a banjo so I came home and told my dad, and he told me if I would pay my car insurance he would buy me a banjo. I never had a teacher. I went out and bought a couple of books, one by Earl Scruggs and another one by Neil Griffin. I would just sit for hours at a time under the shade tree and play. My neighbors (that were probably about a half a mile away) would call my dad and ask,” What is that sound coming from your way?” He would say, “That’s my boy learning to play the banjo.” He was a big support to me with my music. He would go with me to play and even went to Galax Fiddler Convention and camped with me one year. You all should have been there for that one! My dad was a character. I played in a lot of bands through the years and that’s how I learned; by listening to the songs being played and the tune. In the 70’s the melodic banjo came out, so I went out and bought a book by Tony Trischka. I combined the two styles of playing and made my own style. I hear people telling me that the way I play is very tasteful. I just hope I have entertained them and made someone’s day a good one through my music. I am a native of Mooresville, NC. I still reside there on the family farm with my wife, Cindy. Among my accomplishments are numerous first place wins at area fiddler conventions, and performing at Carowinds for five years. I am proud to have opened shows for Bill Monroe, Jim and Jesse, the Lonesome River Band, The Nashville Bluegrass Band, and Illrd Tyme Out. The banjo player I admire most is Jens Kruger, because he has his own style. That is what I have tried to do is be creative and have a style of my own. I have had the honor of playing music with him and his brother Uwe. I hope you will enjoy my music.

Screen name:

Dale Mills

Member since:

May 02 2014

Active within 2 weeks

Level of commitment:

Committed

Years playing music:

40

Gigs played:

Over 100

Tend to practice:

More than 3 times per week

Available to gig:

6-7 nights a week

Instrument experience:

Banjo:

Advanced

Acoustic Guitar:

Moderate

MUSIC