JOHN DYHOUSE

ABOUT>

How should I describe myself?

 

​I am a guitarist / songwriter / singer but not necessarily in that order and with many interests in other areas. In the musical field I also dabble with keyboards, percussion, harmonica and am learning to play a ukelele. All are really props to accompany my singing. That however does not mean I indulge in singing for anything other than fun

 

My early influences were Buddy holly, The Everly Brothers and Billy Fury; from who I believe I have taken inspiration for much of my work. I also found great inspiration from The Shadows. They were and are the source of my main musical enjoyment and I guess why I learnt to play the guitar. Apache has a lot to answer for. (Apache for those who don't know was The Shadows' first #1 smash hit, which has become a classic guitar instrumental.)

 

These influences may seem to be at odds with each other, but the singers (and they were also songwriters) were somethiing I could emulate; Hank Marvin was someone I copied but could never do more than hope to emulate.

 

I have been writing songs since I was 12 or 13 and that was over 50 years ago. That's a lot of songs although I have never treated my hobby as anything more than that. Have I missed out? Well maybe - maybe not, there are some songs I am very proud of .... and some that  I have forgotten over the years.

 

In fact these days I am more likely to be found writing poetry rather than song lyrics because it gives me far more scope to widen the themes I write about. I have however enjoyed singing them and still do.