Doyle Dykes is a guitar legend in the making, considered by many critics to be among the very best guitarists in the world. Although influenced by a wide variety of musical styles, Doyle has developed a distinct, recognizable sound that amazes audiences with his skill while capturing their hearts with his soul. Truly, nothing one might say or hear about Doyle can prepare the listener for the actual experience of hearing him play an acoustic guitar. Like a number of great guitarists, this resident of the Tennessee River Valley is blessed with a natural affinity for the instrument, which he has developed into virtuosic technique through many years of hard work and dedication.

However, Doyle's talent goes well beyond the kind of technical prowess that comes with practice and repetition. His breathtaking speed, dazzling original compositions, and dynamic arrangements of standard and sacred repertoire (much of it rarely attempted on solo guitar), transform the acoustic guitar into an emotionally powerful tool for musical communication.

One sign of a true artist in any performance medium is the ability to make the extremely difficult look "easy" without making it seem mechanical. This certainly applies to Doyle, whose stylistic versatility ranges from country to classical, and might be described as a combination of Merle Travis, Andres Segovia, Chet Atkins, and Vince Gill.

But while his writing and playing boast a level of sophistication that floors the best guitarists, Doyle's music comes across with a natural, free-flowing directness and a simple grace that make it accessible to anyone with ears and an open heart.

Doyle's early years as a guitarist were devoted to performing on the church circuit, where he gained widespread recognition as one of the most inspirational artists in Christian music. He toured around the world with The Stamps Quartet (gospel) and later with Grand Ole Opry star Grandpa Jones.

Doyle has since performed on the Opry on numerous occasions, and many of those performances were televised nationally. When Chet Atkins passed away in 2000, the Opry contacted Doyle and asked him to close a special tribute show in honor of the late guitar legend. That program was also aired nationally and rebroadcast numerous times.

In addition to Chet Atkins, Doyle has shared the stage with Les Paul, Duane Eddy, Peter Frampton, John Fogerty, Vince Gill, and many others. He has performed in venues ranging from theatres, festivals, churches, and major conventions. His music has been heard on NPR's "Morning Edition" and "All Things Considered," Disney's California Adventure, United Airlines, and even the Space Shuttle Atlantis. Doyle is highly regarded in the UK as well, having performed and been interviewed on the BBC, as well as receiving a coveted brick in the Wall of Fame at the fabled Cavern Club in Liverpool.

Doyle became a Taylor clinician in 1995 and has done hundreds of Taylor workshops at music dealerships across the US, Canada, and abroad. In 2000, Taylor introduced the Doyle Dykes Signature Model guitar, which Doyle helped to design himself.

2005 marks the release of the Doyle Dykes Anniversary Edition, in celebration of 10 years as a Taylor Clinician and all-around friend of Taylor Guitars.