Dale Martell
Guitar, Mandolin, Violin & Vocals
www.dalemartell.com

Dale grew up in Somerset Wisconsin taking up the guitar at age nine. He began his professional musical career directly after high school joining a group of more experienced local musicians to form the rock band “Wizard”. From there he went on to play with local twin cities bands Loose Change, Vicious Rumor and The Shifters. Realizing the need to develop other sources of income he began a four year degree in 1984 in business administration. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance, working his way through college as a musician. His first non-musical job after college was working locally for IDS as a broker. He asked to be transferred to the IDS offices in San Diego California. While living there a friend introduced him to the legendary Beach Boys www.beachboysband.net who offered him employment as a backline technician. He was soon promoted to equipment manger and crew chief. In 1994 he began playing guitar solos in the Beach Boys show on a regular basis as well as occasionally substituting for Carl Wilson on lead guitar. From 1994 through 1997 he toured with Mike Love, lead singer of the Beach Boys on lead guitar and vocals.

Dale’s early influences included Jethro Tull, Led Zeppelin, Elton John, Neil Young, America, Pink Floyd, the Allman Brothers, The Byrds, Ozark Mountain Daredevils, John Hartford, Tom Waits, John Mayall and Jerry Jeff Walker. Later on a friend introduced him to the sounds of David Grisman, the Stanley Brothers, Tony Rice, Vasser Clements, the Dillards and Doc Watson. Thus began a prolonged fascination with the origins of Bluegrass and American roots music. In Dale’s sound you will hear a mixture of all the above elements. Dale brings enthusiasm and creativity to his performances blending rock, folk, blues and bluegrass into unique exciting shows.

Dale now divides his time between his family and his two current bands the Zebra Mussels and a new bluegrass band Pickin’ Up Steam www.pickinupsteam.com  Dale plays electric guitar, acoustic guitar and mandolin. He is currently taking on a new challenge - the fiddle. www.dalemartell.com