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Q:How did you begin creating music?
R.D.: I come from a very musical family. My mother played lap steel and my
dad played drums. My grandfather whom I've never met, I am told was an
excellent jazz and blues guitarist. But for me it began, when my older
brother broke his arm and the doctor told him he needed to exercise his
fingers. My parents bought him a Silvertone guitar and I would sneak off
with it to the bedroom with his chord book. I was 9 years old at the time. I
had a chance to start a couple of years earlier when my parents gave me a
choice between a Roy Rogers guitar and a Superman suit for Christmas.
Naturally, I decided to fly around the house. According to my mother, the
first song I played on guitar, I wrote.
Q: How did you get the gig with Kenny Rogers?
RD: I met some of the guys in Kenny's band while working with a group called
the "Headliners". Kenny was producing an album on them and they asked if I
would come play guitar on a few of the tracks. That night after the session
Kenny said he liked how I played and wanted to add me to the band, but due
to the cost it would be after the first of the year. This was in August. So
I didn't think a whole lot more about it. A few weeks later the drummer
called and said Kenny wants you now and the rest is history. That was
September 17,1977.
Q: What musician or musicians have inspired you the most? How about other
artists or authors?
R.D.: My all-time favorite mentor would have to be Joe Pass. Next would be
George Van Epps. In fact, I own a 7-string guitar because of that man.
Continuing in the jazz arena, it would have to be my friends, Hank Garland
and Bucky Pizzarelli. Other strong influences would be Johnny Smith, Tal
Farlow, Herb Ellis, and Howard Roberts.
On the contemporary side of influences, it would have to be Larry Carlton,
Lee Ritenour, Earl Klugh, George Benson, Russ Freeman, Antonio Carlos Jobim,
Chet Atkins, and of course, my friend Roy Clark who invited me and my
parents to Nashville to watch him record the show "Hee Haw" what a fun time
we had.
Since 1977, I have had the good fortune of touring the world with one of the
greatest musical influences of my life, a true entertainer and friend, Kenny
Rogers.
Q: What do you want your music to communicate?
R.D.: It has always been my belief, that these timeless "Standards" I have
arranged on my CD's represent the essence of Romance and Memories of a
wonderful era I am attempting to keep alive. I hope those who listen to my
music will be able to take a soothing, relaxing break from an otherwise
hectic fast-paced world. This music communicates the rekindling of
friendships, families, and love. In one sentence...
"When You Think of Romance...Think Randy Dorman!"
My new CD "No Boundaries" is very special to me because it reflects my
heart. It still has the influence of the great "Standards" but these are
songs I wrote which shares my inner most being with the listener. My motto
has been "What Comes From The Heart Reaches The Heart". I give you my heart.
Q: If you could jam with any artists, living or dead, who would they be?
R.D.: Joe Pass, Larry Carlton, Lee Rittenour, Bob James, Dave Grusin,
Antonio Carlos Jobim, just to mention a few. This list could go on and on.
Q: What record would you rescue first from a burning house?
R.D.: My Joe Pass CD's.
Q: What's your favorite book?
R.D.: The Bible.
Feel free to use this space to write about whatever you wish:
R.D.: I would like to take this opportunity to thank the good Lord for my
talent and my musical career so far. Thanks also to my parents for their
musical influence and support over the years. My #1 Promotress and
Inspiration to continue on in my music, my wife, Ann who loves to do the
"good trips" like Australia and Hawaii, our favorite places in the world so
far. And to all those special friends and fans of my music...without you,
all would be for naught.
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