Dave Dick spoke with us recently about Guitars, Banjos, and Bluegrass in Sturbridge. His roots began in the Southbridge area where he started playing guitar at age eight. By age 18 he had switched to banjo and was playing bluegrass music in bands. He worked in sales in a local music shop then his career took him to Worcester where he worked at the art of repairing “fretted” string instruments. He recently started his own instrument repair business in Sturbridge, “D String Guitar Repair”, and is getting referrals from all over New England. He works on acoustic and electric guitars, basses, banjos, mandolins and ukuleles; provides evaluations, restorations, upgrades and customizations of all types and has been a producer, teacher and recording artist for over 30 years.
Dave plays banjo with the Blackstone Valley Bluegrass Band, a group of four musicians that have been together for 15 years, which is rare for bluegrass bands these days. The foursome can really mix things up musically as they entertain their audiences. They’re all multi-instrumentalists and play a wide range of bluegrass styles…but what really sets them apart is their powerful three- and four-part harmonies.
His background and experiences while touring around the country performing with the band were intriguing but the highlight was listening to his music and seeing his skill on his five-string banjo. A most enjoyable evening!


Dave with President Otto.

(L to R) Dan Nowlan on mandolin, Ken Taylor on upright bass, Bob Dick on guitar, and his brother Dave Dick on banjo.