Return to TuneVault.com Home Page
  Artists | Music News | Reviews | Video | MP3 | Stolen Gear Listings | Members | More:  Join the TuneVault community!
Music Industry News Updates MP3 Downloads View your TuneCart contents
Recent News
Astral Awards $100,000 to MusiCounts to Finance Music Programs in 71 Schools Across the Country Full Story

Danny Michel Fall Tour 2010 Hits Ontario and Quebec Full Story

Polaris Prize Posters Full Story

ECHO Songwriting Awards Full Story

Hole "Skinny Little Bitch" Video Full Story

Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest 2010 Announces Lineup Full Story

JUNO Award Winners for 2010 Full Story

Memphis rockabilly legends The Dempseys disband Full Story

Carolyn Mark and NQ Arbuckle Full Story

Camera Obscura - New Video and Tour Full Story

Browse the news archives

Send us some news!

More News:
From iSyndicate.com
From MoreOver.com
From CDNow.com

Memphis rockabilly legends The Dempseys disband

Anyone who has seen The Dempseys, whether on their home strip of legendary Beale St. in Memphis, or at any of their gigs across the USA, in other countries, or on cruise ships, knows that they are a band not to be missed. They combine amazing musicianship with showmanship that rivals Cirque du Soleil in the intricacies of some of they stunts they pull off. Flaming trumpets, instrument swaps, double bass surfing, two people playing the same instrument at the same time... The Dempseys pull off these stunts and so much more without ever breaking their musical stride. They do, however, break a sweat. Brad Birkedahl, "Slick" Joe Fick and Ron Perrone Jr. are surely amongst the hardest working musicians in show-biz. They were the house band at Elvis Presley's Memphis bar, have played innumerable shows at Blues City Cafe in Memphis, and appeared as Elvis' band in the Johnny Cash biopic "Walk The Line".

As a musician myself, I have seen The Dempseys a few times and was blown away by their skills and breathtaking performance. I was even fortunate enough to meet them, and commandeer their instruments for a song, one fortuitous night in Memphis. So it is with sadness that I learned of their recent disbanding. There was no formal announcement, no update of The Dempseys web site (as of yet), just a note posted by a fan on Facebook.

Guitarist & main singer Brad Birkedahl has already posted a new web site with information on his new band. The home page states that "Birkedahl's musical repertoire has expanded. A brand new powerhouse stage show will still feature some of your favorite rockabilly music from the 50's and 60's. But now, the accomplished guitarist is taking the musical experience to a new level, with the addition of production numbers in the style of 1970's Elvis Presley." Perhaps this description explains in part his moving on from The Dempseys, although after 11 years, it could be any of a number of reasons. Maintaining a band is akin to, and often more difficult than, maintaining a marriage: there are more people involved, often in stressful circumstances, and for longer periods of time. Congratulations are due to anyone can make a relationship, whether musical or marital, last for 11 years.

There is no word, as of this writing, as to what is in store for bassist Fick or drummer Perrone, but we can only assume they won't be taking a very long break.

So to each member of The Dempseys, I would just like to say on behalf of all your fans, thanks for the entertainment and inspiration, and good luck in your future endeavours.
The Dempseys

Brad Birkedahl

Briefs and Blurbs...
WAVES Reduces Prices On Audio Plugins and Tools
Full Article

Astral Awards $100,000 to MusiCounts to Finance Music Programs in 71 Schools Across the Country
Full Article

Danny Michel Fall Tour 2010 Hits Ontario and Quebec
Acclaimed Canadian Singer-Songwriter's Tour Hits Ontario and Western Quebec
Full Article

Polaris Prize Posters
Replica of posters received by shortlist nominees available
Full Article

ECHO Songwriting Awards
Voting ends Sept. 30, 2010 - You could win a guitar!
Full Article

Browse the news archives

Send us some news!

Join the TuneVault.com mailing list! Join the mailing list Privacy Policy

  ABOUT/HELP CONTACT STORE TICKETS ARTISTS
PHOTOS
CALENDAR CLASSIFIEDS CONTEST
FEATURES MP3 NEWS REVIEWS
 

TuneVault.com and all contents are
©1999-2010 TenVolt Consulting Inc. It's true.

TuneVault.com Home

Syndicated music news News courtesy of CDNOW.com