Dixie Dregs is a progressive rock band formed in the 1970s. Their mostly instrumental music fuses jazz, southern rock, bluegrass and classical forms in an often technical but always unique virtuosic style. Progressive rock (sometimes shortened to prog rock or prog) is a subgenre of rock music which arose in the late 1960s, reached the peak of its popularity in the 1970s, and continues as a musical form to this day. ... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979, inclusive. ... Jazz is an original American musical art form originating around the start of the 20th century in New Orleans. ... Southern rock is a style of rock music that was very popular in the 1970s, and retains a fan base to the present. ... Bluegrass music is considered a form of American roots music with its own roots in the English, Irish and Scottish traditional music of immigrants from the British Isles (particularly the Scots-Irish immigrants of Appalachia), as well as the music of rural African-Americans, jazz, and blues. ... Classical music is a broad, somewhat imprecise term, referring to music produced in, or rooted in the traditions of, European art, ecclesiastical and concert music, encompassing a broad period from roughly 1000 to the present day. ...

History

The Dixie Dregs evolved from an Augusta, Georgia band called The Dixie Grits featuring Steve Morse, Frank Brittingham, Johnny Carr and Andy West in the late 1960's. Carr was later replaced by keyboardist Mark Parrish. Morse, West, Parrish, Brittingham and Frayer performed briefly as a quintet, continuing to call themselves The Dixie Grits. After Frank Brittingham left in 1972, Morse, West, Parrish, and Frayer remained: thus, the "Dregs" of "The Dixie Grits". Steve Morse Steven J. Morse is a rock guitarist and guitar virtuoso, best known for his position as guitarist in the Dixie Dregs and Deep Purple. ...

In 1973, Steve Morse (guitar), Andy West (bass), Allen Sloan (violin) and Bart Yarnal (drums) met while students at the University of Miami's School of Music to play as Rock Ensemble II. West also attended Georgia State University for a year while studying cello and music theory & composition along with Parrish. Parrish remained at GSU during the academic school years only to return to Augusta, Georgia during summer breaks - re-establishing the guitar/bass/keyboards/drums quartet with Morse, West, Parrish, and Frayer performing as opening acts for concerts and headlining local gigs as the Dixie Dregs. The University of Miami, sometimes called UM or The U, is a private university, founded in 1925, with its main campus in the city of Coral Gables in metropolitan Miami, Florida, in the United States. ...

During subsequent academic school years, the remaining members of the Dregs — including Andy West — returned to the University of Miami and Mark Parrish returned to Atlanta, Georgia to complete his degree in music performance and composition at Georgia State University under the study of William Masselos, with additional studies of electronic music at Columbia University in New York City under Alice Shields - a protége of Wendy Carlos. Wendy Carlos publicity photo Wendy Carlos (born Walter Carlos—see Personal life section below—November 14, 1939 in Pawtucket, Rhode Island) is an American composer and electronic musician. ...

At the time, the University of Miami hosted a lively musical community, including future greats Pat Metheny, Jaco Pastorius, Danny Gottlieb, T Lavitz and Bruce Hornsby. Rod Morgenstein was asked to fill in as drummer after a surfing accident disabled Yarnal. In 1974, during the school years at UofM, keyboardist Frank Josephs was added to their lineup. In 1975, the group's first effort, The Great Spectacular (aptly named by ex-"Dixie Grits" second guitarist and singer, Frank Brittingham) was recorded at the University. Although a few pressings were produced for radio promotional purposes, the album was never formally released until 1997. Pat Metheny in Melbourne, Florida, USA Patrick Bruce Metheny (born 12 August 1954 in Lees Summit, Missouri USA) is an American jazz guitarist and leader of the Pat Metheny Group. ... Jaco Pastorius (December 1, 1951 – September 21, 1987) was a jazz bassist and composer, notable for his virtuoso technique and fretless bass playing style. ... Danny Gottlieb (born 1953) is a freelance drummer who has performed as part of the Pat Metheny Group and Mahavishnu Orchestra. ... Bruce Randall Hornsby (born November 23, 1954 in Williamsburg, Virginia) is an American singer, virtuoso pianist, accordion player, and songwriter, best known for his 1980s signature song The Way It Is and the top five hits Mandolin Rain and The Valley Road. Later in his career he moved in a... Rod Morgenstein is an American drummer and music educator. ...

Based on the strength of a three song demo and a tip from former Allman Brothers Band members Chuck Leavell and Twiggs Lyndon, Capricorn Records signed them in late 1976 to record Free Fall (1977). Former Dixie Grits/Dixie Dregs keyboardist Mark Parrish rejoined the group later that year. The moderate success and critical acclaim of "Free Fall" led to their 1978 effort, What If, supported by their first tour with dates in New York, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Texas, Arizona, Massachusetts, Mississippi, and California. The original Allman Brothers Band The Allman Brothers Band is a pioneering and innovative Southern rock group from Macon, Georgia originally popular in the 1970s, described by Rolling Stones George Kimball in 1971 as the best . ... Chuck Leavell is an American keyboards player, most known for being a member of The Allman Brothers Band, a founding member of Sea Level, a frequently-employed session musician, and later, the supporting keyboardist for The Rolling Stones. ... Capricorn Records was launched by Phil Walden in 1969 in Macon, Georgia (with offices in Atlanta). ...

Their third album, Night of the Living Dregs (featuring Morse, West, Sloan, Parrish, and Morgenstein), was released in April of 1979, gaining the band their first Grammy nomination for Best Rock Instrumental Performance - won that year by Paul McCartney's band Wings. Night of the Living Dregs included studio recordings as well as compositions performed live and recorded at the Montreux Jazz Festival on July 23, 1978. Ken Scott - The Beatles' and producer/arranger George Martin's right-hand man and engineer - produced both Dixie Dregs albums What If and Night of the Living Dregs. The Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance has been awarded since 1980. ... Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE (born June 18, 1942) is an English singer, instrumentalist and songwriter, who first came to prominence as a member of The Beatles. ... Wings was a rock music band led by Paul McCartney, formed a couple of years after the dissolution of The Beatles. ... Poster designed by Keith Haring The Montreux Jazz Festival is the best-known music festival in Switzerland. ... Ken Scott (born April 20, 1947 in London) is an influential English record producer and engineer. ... The Beatles (1960-1970) were an English music group from Liverpool who continue to be held in the highest esteem for their artistic achievements, their huge commercial success, their groundbreaking role in the history of popular music, and their contributions to popular culture. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

In 1979, Capricorn Records declared bankruptcy, and the band was signed by Arista Records in January 1980, to create three albums, and keyboardist Parrish left and was replaced by T Lavitz. Later that year, Dregs of the Earth (featuring Morse, West, Sloan, Lavitz, and Morgenstein) was released. Arista Records is an American record label that is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony BMG, and operates under the RCA Records Group // History The company was founded as the successor label to Bell Records in 1974 by Clive Davis, and named after his secondary school honor society. ...

Parrish went on to play piano and keyboards for vocalists Andy Williams, Roberta Flack, Natalie Cole, Luther Vandross, Peabo Bryson, Celine Dion, Regina Belle, Deborah Gibson, Pat Boone and daughter Debbie Boone, Glen Campbell, guitarist Larry Coryell, won an Angel Award as co-producer (where he arranged and played all the instrumental segments) of a Christian album, and has been Musical Director, Conductor, and keyboard instrumentalist with touring stage shows of Cats, Meet Me in St. Louis, The Wizard of Oz, Little Shop of Horrors, Nunsense, Brigadoon, The Phantom of the Opera, Anything Goes, and Broadway stage shows. Andy Williams For other people named Andrew Williams, see Andrew Williams (disambiguation). ... Roberta Flack Roberta Flack (born February 10, 1937 in Asheville, North Carolina) is an American singer. ... Stephanie Natalie Maria Cole, known professionally as Natalie Cole (born February 6, 1950) is a Grammy Award-winning American singer and songwriter. ... Luther Ronzoni Vandross, Jr. ... Peabo Bryson (born Robert Peabo Bryson on April 13, 1951) is an American R&B and soul singer, born in Greenville, South Carolina. ... Celine Marie Claudette Dion (OC, OQ) (born March 30, 1968) is a French-Canadian Grammy and Juno award winning pop singer, and occasional songwriter[1] and actress. ... Regina Belle (1964 - ) is Grammy award winning singer. ... Deborah Ann Gibson, credited as Debbie Gibson (born August 31, 1970, in Brooklyn, New York[1]) is an American singer-songwriter who was a teen idol in her youth. ... Pat Boone Charles Eugene Patrick Boone (known as Pat Boone) (born June 1, 1934) is a singer whose smooth style made him a popular performer of the 1950s. ... Debby Boone on the cover of her 2001 collection You Light Up My Life: Greatest Inspirational Songs Debby Boone (b. ... Glen Campbell, December 2004 This article is about the singer. ... Larry Coryell Larry Coryell (April 2, 1943-) is an American jazz guitarist. ...

For Unsung Heroes, released in 1981, the band changed their name to The Dregs in an effort to gain more commercial appeal. Violinist Sloan was replaced by Mark O'Connor, winner of Nashville's Grand Masters Fiddle Championship for their 1983 release, Industry Standard. This album introduced vocals for the first time as a further attempt to gain more airtime. Guest vocalists included the Doobie Brothers's Patrick Simmons and Alex Ligertwood (Santana). Industry Standard provided the Dregs with another Grammy nomination for Best Rock/Jazz Instrumental Performance. The recent name change, vocal additions and a grueling touring schedule did nothing to improve sales and the members of The Dregs parted for individual projects. Mark OConnor (born August 5, 1961 in Seattle, Washington) is widely considered to be the most prominent fiddler of his generation. ... For other cities named Nashville, see Nashville (disambiguation). ... The Doobie Brothers are an American rock band, best known for hit singles like Black Water. They were popular throughout the 1970s. ... Pat Simmons (born October 19, 1948) is an American singer and guitarist for the rock band The Doobie Brothers. ... Carlos Santana in concert, Barcelona 2003 Carlos Santana (born July 20, 1947) is a Mexican guitarist, originally from Autlan de Navarro, Jalisco. ...

In the late 1980's, the group reunited for a tour featuring former members Morse, Morgenstein, Lavitz and Sloan. Their return was complemented by a "Best Of" release entitled Divided We Stand (1989). Bassist Dave LaRue completed the line-up for a seven date tour culminating in the 1992 live album Bring 'em Back Alive. Violinist Jerry Goodman, of The Mahavishnu Orchestra fame, filled in for Sloan, who was frequently absent as a result of his busy medical career. They signed a deal with former label Capricorn Records for their first studio album in years entitled Full Circle in 1994. The Mahavishnu Orchestra was a jazz-rock fusion group that debuted in 1970 and dissolved in 1976, only to reunite briefly from 1984 to 1986. ...

The Dregs to this day remain a loose collection of its former members, reuniting briefly for short tours and rare studio work. 1997's releases were The Great Spectacular in April and King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents (originally recorded in 1979 for the King Biscuit radio show) in September. California Screamin' (2000) is a curious mix of live recordings from the performances at the Roxy Theatre in August 1999. This release features older compositions and covers of the Allman Brothers Band's "Jessica", and Frank Zappa's "Peaches en Regalia" (with Dweezil Zappa sharing guitar lead). 20th Century Masters: The Best Of The Dixie Dregs and the DVD Sects, Dregs and Rock 'n' Roll were released in 2002. The King Biscuit Flower Hour is a syndicated rock and roll radio show that debuted on February 18, 1973. ... Located in the historic downtown section of Clarksville, Tennessee in a corner of the Public Square is the Roxy Theater that offers live theater shows to the public offering a wide variety of selection in the spirit of literary theater. ... Frank Vincent Zappa (December 21, 1940 – December 4, 1993) was an American composer, guitarist, singer, film director, and satirist. ... Dweezil Zappa (born September 5, 1969, in Los Angeles, California) is a heavy metal guitarist. ...

Personnel

• Steve Morse - guitar (1971 - Present)
• Andy West - bass guitar (1971 - 1992)
• Mark Parrish - keyboards (1971 - 1980)
• Rod Morgenstein - drums (1975 - Present)
• Allen Sloan, M.D. - violin (1975 - 1982)
• Frank Josephs - keyboards (1975 - 1976)
• Steve Davidowski - keyboards (1977 - 1978)
• T Lavitz - keyboards (1980 - Present)
• Jordan Rudess - keyboards (1994, filled in for T Lavitz)
• Mark O'Connor - violin (1982 - 1983)
• Jerry Goodman - violin (1992 - Present)
• Dave LaRue - bass guitar (1992 - Present)

Steve Morse Steven J. Morse is a rock guitarist and guitar virtuoso, best known for his position as guitarist in the Dixie Dregs and Deep Purple. ... Mark Parrish (born 2 February 1977 in Edina, Minnesota) is an American ice hockey right winger who currently plays for the Los Angeles Kings of the NHL. // Playing career Parrish was drafted in the third round (79th overall) by the Colorado Avalanche in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. ... Rod Morgenstein is an American drummer and music educator. ... Jordan Rudess Jordan Rudess (born November 4, 1956) is a Juilliard-trained keyboardist most famously known as a member of the progressive metal band Dream Theater. ... Mark OConnor (born August 5, 1961 in Seattle, Washington) is widely considered to be the most prominent fiddler of his generation. ... Jerry Goodman is an American violinist, mostly known for playing in the fusion jazz band Mahavishnu Orchestra. ... Dave LaRue is an accomplished bassist who has performed with the Steve Morse Band since the mid 1980s and with Dixie Dregs since the 1990s. ...

Discography

• The Great Spectacular (1975 - released on CD April 1997)
• Free Fall (May 27, 1977)
• What If (March 1978)
• Night of the Living Dregs (1979)
• Dregs Of The Earth (1980)
• Unsung Heroes (1981)
• Industry Standard (1982)
• Off the Record (1988) (Demo for Ensoniq synthesizers)
• Divided We Stand (1989)
• Bring 'Em Back Alive (1992)
• Full Circle (June 7, 1994)
• King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents (September 16, 1997)
• California Screamin' (February 1, 2000)
• 20th Century Masters: The Best Of The Dixie Dregs (March 26, 2002)
• Sects, Dregs and Rock 'n' Roll (DVD, December 2002)
• From The Front Row... Live! (Dolby 5.1 DVD-Audio, 2003)

Free Fall is a studio album by the jazz fusion band Dixie Dregs, released in 1977. ... What If is a studio album by the jazz fusion band Dixie Dregs, released in 1978. ... Night of the Living Dregs is an album by Dixie Dregs, released in 1979. ... Standardization or standardisation (sometimes abbreviated s13n), in the context related to technologies and industries, is the process of establishing a technical standard among competing entities in a market, where this will bring benefits without hurting competition. ... Ensoniq Corp. ...

External links

• http://www.theguitarfiles.com/guitarfile-print-178.html