Today’s post was written by Paul.
The train series that started in November of 2016 has been a lot of fun. I was blessed to play songs with a lot of great people! There are plenty more train songs out there, but I felt this was the best way and time to wind up the series. Maybe this collection of 28 trains songs will prove useful to someone who is researching or collecting train songs.
As I commented on one of the Sunday String Alongs, there’s really no way to overstate Doyle’s talent and ability as a guitarist. I am most impressed with his creativity and imaginative expression (in both his original songs and in cover songs), followed closely by his flawless execution. He also plays harmonics with a level of complexity and perfection that I have never heard from any other guitarist.
I remember seeing a Glen Campbell interview once, where the journalist mentioned having seen Glen laughing repeatedly while listening to Django Reinhardt play guitar. He asked Glen why he was laughing (Reinhardt was a highly accomplished and influential jazz guitarist). Glen explained that there was nothing funny about Django’s playing; he was laughing in amazement. He said, “I was thinking: I can’t believe he just did that!”
I know what Glen meant. It’s how I feel when I hear Doyle play. Throughout this performance of “Wabash Cannonball,” for example, I had to restrain myself from shaking my head in disbelief and laughing in joyful amazement.
In the “Mystery Train” video, I mentioned Fil of Wings of Pegasus, a British musician, who reviewed a performance that Doyle did around 5 years ago. As I was scrolling through the comments on Fil’s analysis video, I saw one from a gentlemen who quoted an article in a guitar magazine from the 1980’s. In that article, the interviewer asked Chet Atkins if there was any guitarist that he would pay money to watch play. Chet’s answer was “Doyle Dykes.” That’s all from the perspective of guitar players.
Many people who comment on our channel are not musicians. If you’ve never played guitar, but you have access to one, just go press down on the strings where they travel from the tuners to the neck of the guitar, and ask yourself if you could ever reach a point where you could not only press them down there (at a point where they were never intended to be depressed) but you could also do it perfectly in time and use the action to hit different notes in different keys or chords (all while playing the other strings too)! That’s just a tiny glimpse into Doyle’s talent.
Of course, Doyle gives God the credit for his gifts, rightfully so, but it also took a lot of persistence, exploration, and practice to do the things he does on the guitar.
It was the biggest musical honor of my life to share the same musical space with him and his son Caleb. I hope viewers also enjoy the nostalgic look back over some of the previous train songs in the series and the musicians who were kind enough to join me. Maybe those little snippets will cause some viewers to search the BPA channel to find those videos. I included several snippets of Corie and Katie (The Pressley Girls), not only because they are my nieces and I’m partial to them, but also because it’s neat to look back and see how much they have matured. That little montage is probably nostalgic enough, but I can’t resist also sharing something that Wanita Lansall sent to Tipper.
I pasted it below. I think fits really well with our experience with the train song series:
At birth we boarded the train and met our parents, and we believe they will always travel by our side. As time goes by, other people will board the train; and they will be significant, i.e. our siblings, friends, children, strangers and even the love of your life. However, at some station, our parents will step down from the train, leaving us on this journey alone. Others will step down over time and leave a permanent vacuum. Some, however, will go so unnoticed that we don’t realize they vacated their seats. This train ride will be full of joy, sorrow, fantasy, expectations, hellos, goodbyes, and farewells. Success consists of having a good relationship with all passengers, requiring that we give the best of ourselves. The mystery to everyone is: We do not know at which station we ourselves will step down. So, we must live in the best way, love, forgive, and offer the best of who we are. It is important to do this because when the time comes for us to step down and leave our seat empty we should leave behind beautiful memories for those who will continue to travel on the train of life. (p.s: I didn’t see a name as to who wrote this)
I wish you a joyful journey for the coming years on your train of life. Reap success, give lots of love and be happy. More importantly, thank God for the journey! Lastly, I want to thank you for being one of the passengers on my train! You can find the entire Train Series Playlist here.
Be sure to head on over to Doyle’s channel to subscribe. If you subscribe to his channel, you’ll be helping bring his music to more and more listeners by feeding the YouTube algorithm. 🙂
You can purchase Doyle’s book, Lights of Marfa, at doyledykes.com. It’s truly a fascinating and inspiring read. If you buy it new, it also contains a companion DVD where you can hear Doyle perform some absolutely beautiful music, with help from his family and other legendary musicians.
Today’s Thankful November giveaway is one of our cds of Pap and me, Shepherd Of My Soul. The cd is new and unwrapped but there’s a crack in the case. Leave a comment on this post to be entered. Giveaway ends November 29, 2024. You can pick up a copy of the cd here.
Paul
Original singles released on Spotify.
I Loved and enjoyed this song, as well as, all the others in this series. I wish I had learned to play a guitar. It’s amazing to watch and listen to all of you that do. Thank you.
Amazing guitar skills. Loved the train of life reference.
Good music and good talking. Thanks for sharing this.
I look forward to the Sunday morning posts. Always great music and good comments from other readers.
Your Train Series has brought much joy to my life. Thank you, Paul.
I’m sorry to see this train series pull out of the station. I appreciate all the hard work you’ve put into it. My Mommy always said Chet Atkins could make a guitar talk. 🙂 She used to joke and say the only thing she could pick was her nose. She envied those in her family and others who were musically talented with instruments. She was a beautiful singer but couldn’t play. I miss her. ‘(
Please keep up the good work. I enjoy listening to your videos, especially the ones with Granny. They are precious! 🙂 ❤
Wonderful playing of the song. Enjoyed it so much.
I enjoyed this post and hope to order Doyle’s book “Lights of Marfa” sometime, please enter my name in the drawing for the CD. I hope everyone has a safe and blessed Thanksgiving, I have so much to be thankful for, my losses were minimal during the remnants of hurricane Helene, let’s try to remember everyone who wasn’t as fortunate.
I’m sorry that the train song series is coming to an end, but I look forward to seeing what Paul has in store for us next. It’s been a fun series and has introduced me to many fine musicians.
I have enjoyed so very much this November’s Train series! Thank you!
Praying for all, God bless you and yours!❤❤
Wonderful! (in the true sense of the word!)
Paul, thank you the train series. It’s been great and getting to sing and play with Doyle had to have been the icing on the cake for you. Thanks again for taking the time to do the train series and for sharing it with all of us. I had read what Wanita had posted on here earlier and I agree, it surely does fit well with your train song series. God bless you and all of your family.
My Dad’s favorite song.
I love guitar music. I was a big fan of Chet Atkins.
Paul, when you play with your family or when you play and sing with your mom, i love it so much!
So beautiful! Thank you so much for not only sharing all the wonderful music & knowledge but also all the inspiring thoughts on living this life well ! Love & Blessings to you and your dear family!
I loved playing this song on the piano when I was young!
Good post!! I heard Acuff sing Wabash Cannonball many times live on the Opry late 40’s early 50’s…love train songs..especially Jimmy Rodgers, the Singin’ Brakeman!
That was an amazing rendition of Wabash Cannonball. Doyle Dykes has certainly not wasted his God given gift of music.
Sounds like the engine has entered the roundhouse. It has been a good run through musical history and talent. Thanks for the trip and the glimpses behind the scenes of what musical talent is. I sure would not have a clue on my own.
The train series has been most enjoyable!
Have a great Sunday..let’s go to Sunday School and worship service!
Interesting articles from Paul. I’ve loved reading and listening to the songs in his train series.
I’m one of those commenters that doesn’t play an instrument. I always enjoy your music whether it’s just you or along with others. I had never heard of Doyle before this series, but like you, I’m amazed at his talent.
I definitely have to learn more about (and listen to) Doyle’s music. Of course, that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t enjoy your CD, even with a cracked case!
Awesome, Awesome, Awesome!!! Oh my goodness gracious Doyle can “make that guitar talk,” as my Mother would say. What a talent! Paul you are so humble and very much talented in your own right and I know what a blessing you are to Granny, Tipper, Katie and Corrie.
My Daddy played the guitar just for his family and if singing in church and I took it after I graduated from high school. It was old then. Because I worked during the day, I took guitar lessons at night classes at the high school. I learned the cords and that with practice you sure do get sore fingers. I still have Daddy’s old guitar but I haven’t tried to play it in years. I really enjoy your music so thank you for taking us on this train ride and God Bless Ya All.
I loved the video when I watched it on your YouTube channel. I especially liked your dad’s song at the end of the video.
I need another cd like I need a hole in my head. Wasbash Cannonball is a classic. Enjoy everything about Blind Pig. Glad i can go back and listen to train songs and all the great blogs.
I have loved trains since a child and the songs about them
Thank you for sharing the train series and your time with Doyle. It’s fascinating to watch people play as I have no musical abilities. Our grandson has been taking piano lessons for about 5 years and has taken up guitar lessons for the last year. We have high hopes he uses his talent in the church. I will be sharing your series with him when he comes to stay with us! Thank you for brightening our Sunday mornings! God bless!
God bless you Paul, Tipper said I won the Wilson Brothers CD, by leaving a comment about my uncle Carl being in world war II, thank you for this blessing, thank you for the gift, there’s a lot going on in the world, God help God help, God bless my Granny Wilson
as I read your comments it felt like you were saying ‘goodbye’ forever….I did not like that feeling
…I much enjoyed your time with Doyle Dykes, his gift/talent certainly leaves you in ‘shock and awe’ mode, much like the reason for Glen Campbells laughter.
I have enjoyed the train series. Paul, I am no musician (heck I can’t even play a radio without getting static), but I don’t think you need to take a backseat when it comes to playing a guitar. Your words about life reminds me of my father in law, one of his favorite songs to both play and sing was “Life Is Like A Mountain Railroad.”