Why I Play Fingerstyle Guitar... 

I was your Captain on your Southwest flight about three years ago but was not familiar with you music at the time. I remember asking you “ are you famous?( or something like that) . You were very humble and kind. Thanks for sharing your music here. As a guitarist of 40 plus years I am impressed, humbled and inspired. This video gives me joy. Thank you.

I think I speak for many people when I say….. thank you for being the musician and person you are!

Doyle is one of the most humble and talented men you'll ever meet. He's a great father, brother, son, uncle, friend, and most of all a great Christian. Support this man and his ministry as much as possible. Luv ya Doyle!

Just found you today.......just so happens I have started to learn fingerstyle...69 yrs old. What a treat to be able to learn about you and from you. Thank you!

That Olson is a Cannon!!! Wow what a sound! And that 55 D28 is just over the top AWESOME---how RICH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love the way you play Chet Atkins' style. So delicate and elegant.

Thank you Doyle. I was about to give up in this crazy world and then I saw this. You have the greatest spirit and are the most beautiful person I've encountered in my 70 years. Without question this is the finest guitar video I've ever seen in my life. Better watch out-I downloaded it!! Haha!

Doyle Dykes is truly one of the greatest talents of ALL TIME . A JOY to listen to. God bless

Fingerstyle is such a complete way to play. Self accompaniment sounds full and lush and covers the recognizable parts of songs. Not easy though, but nice.

Holy crap. I just came across this by accident. I was listening to Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed, and somehow found Doyle. Unbelievable!

Doyle, I know you don't remember me, its been near 30 tears, but we me met on the platform one Sunday night at MT Paran North. I was admiring the guitar Chet gave you that went with the story about your last lesson with Chet' You walked up behind me and said; "Do you play". I said; "yes, but I will never be any good because I have a fat hand with short fingers" You said; "well, don't give up". Then we talked for a short time. I will never forget that night. OH ya, I was there when DR Cooper had you play "Free Bird" IN CHURCH. I almost cried. Thanks for the encouragement, just being a regular guy and all the great music.;-)

Five foot two eyes of blue, it's amazing what your guitar can do!

I grew up a child of rock 'n' roll in the 1950s. But when I picked up the guitar at age 21, I found myself drawn to finger style guitar. I never completely abandoned the flatpack, though. Today I'm about 90% finger style. Doyle plays like I wish I could. I've got a lot of company, I'm sure. What a cool guy, and what a great player.

I could listen to this all day. 👍🏻😊

have not been bored with Doyle he revisits the great themes of picking and those who have marked the times like Chet atkins, Merle Travis, and Jerry Reed a good moment of relaxation thank you Mr Dykes

I find it absolutely fascinating to hear you play and talk.

I've said this before,and I'll say it again, Doyle is a national treasure. T is for talent!

Mr. Dykes, I’ve never heard of you until this morning, but discovered you on You Tube searching music. You are a wonderful guitar player! You also seem to be a wonderful person, giving credit to so many people that influenced you. I’m 65 years old and started playing guitar almost 8 years ago. Something I always wanted to do since I was 10. It’s definitely to late for me to be any good, but I still love playing, and listening to music and musicians that are awesome like you! I plan on searching more about your career. Thank you for a great video which is so much better then 90% of what’s on cable. 🎵🎵🇺🇸🇺🇸

I have been to three of Doyles' performances. Outstanding guitarist and a great human being!

Yes, a truly great fingerstyle guitarist like yourself is a one-man band: totally self-sufficient. That's the wonderful beauty of it - but it's so complex to learn. I know a few little pieces I muddle through, but improvisation is out of the question for me. I wish I could see it all and enjoy the freedom you do.

A great day in my life when I met you Doyle. Imagine meeting Chets favorite guitar player👍👍. Thank you Todd manager at Ben Jack's guitars in Rogers AR. for inviting me to meet Doyle.

I don't remember how I came across you, but so glad I did⚓

And God said ..Let their be a guitarist ..and let part of my heart be heard..

that 55 D28 sound awesome so is your playing !

Lucky enough to catch you demonstrating a brand of guitar a couple of times in nearby Buffalo Grove IL. What a great time seeing you play up close taking plenty of time to answer questions and talk to all who attended. You are sounding better than ever....

I did not know what I was in for ! HE IS BLESSED, and so are we to hear this ! LOVED IT ALL.

So happy to see and hear you doing so well Doyle. I was reached for Christ with, and through music (late 90s). And early in my Christian walk I became captivated by your Gospel repertoire and your "...three chords and a cloud of dust" mastery! You added such joy to my early Christian life, and you're in a permanent spot in my heart. Loved this video and all the time with you that it gave me. Now I'm going to have to look up your White Rose (for Heidi?) story. Blessings to you and yours always.

I took you up on listening to Lenny Breau. 🎶🎸 Just like you said...I could see his influence on your playing😉 however, you are God's Guitarist. A gift from Him, a gift to us. Blessings!🎶🎸 and thank you!

Now that's the good stuff right there.

Doyle you are such an inspiration to me...I am in Venice Florida and I sing and play Fingerstyle 4-5 gigs a week and I'm 63 and I can't get enough!

I've had that Grandpa Jones album in my record collection for many, many years.

Loved every minute of this! Over the past few years I’ve been teaching myself to pick out the melodies (over chords) to hymns, Christmas carols, praise songs, and a few popular songs, but very simple finger style arrangements - nothing anywhere near what you’re doing, but I’m living proof that you can teach an old worship leader a few new tricks.

Second time through. Midnight, three days before Christmas. Watching all 44:19, left elbow on the arm of the chair, left-hand thumb under my jaw, left index finger across my closed mouth, shaking my head, almost constantly, slightly side-to-side. Turned 70 this year. I wouldn't trade a thing because God knows best. And to wait on Him is right. But now, about 57 years later...if I had only known, back then. Your giving, and 'presenting' yourself this way is priceless to me and to many others I'm sure. This Christmastime and always, I wish you all continuous blessings from Above.

God Bless you Doyle !! Thank You for everything !!

One of the goats of fingerstyle

Doyle, your Music is so joyful, You were Born to put Joy in People,s heart.

Awesome discussion on finger-style methods! Love this! Thanks!

I love you, you show-off.

Your playing makes me happy! Simple! Magical!

I enjoy listening to Doyle he has an enthusiasm he brings with him that infectious. 👍😊

I remember the Aurthur Smith show. Did you ever know String Bean?

Enjoy your videos so much Doyle!

Love this. Its a style I never really embraced, but love to hear/see it being played. I was aware of Sonny Curtis fingerstyle on Buddy Holly's Nashville sessions and one or two Crickets songs. Brilliant, stunning playing/performance, best wishes from Scotland

Doyle thanks for the demo of my favorite players. Chet was my idol but I followed all those mentioned including your music. I seen you at 2 seminars in St Louis which caused me to buy more guitars. Great to see you do such fine fingerstyle playing.

Five of the greatest guitar players who ever lived inside one human body. I’m not sure I was meant to see that.

Such an inspiration! Thank you brother!

Doyle, and everyone… Lucas Imbiriba doing “Bohemian Rhapsody”. There’s a link in one of the comments.

Thank you Doyle. Some years ago I saw Tommy Emmanuel play in Elizabethtown Kentucky and when I got there I was shocked to find out that you were also there. You had been on my bucket list to see for a long time. It was an incredible show and if I remember right your daughter was also there and she came out and played some mandolin. I focus on Flatpicking and Tony Rice has always been my biggest hero but I sure enjoy watching you and the other fingerstyle players!

Thumbs up from Geelong Australia 👍👑🇦🇺👑 Doyle

I’m a new finger style player and looking forward for some training from you Doyle

I'm well versed in flatpicking, fingerpicking, and hybrid picking. They all have their uses, and they're good things for all guitarists to know.

I love every minut of your playing, thanks man!

Sounds like you know what your talking about. Besides the great playing. That Olsen really does have incredible tone.

You are a cool guy to sit around with.

I just found your channel because it showed up on my page and I’ve really enjoyed listening to you play. I don’t play guitar but I wish I could. When I was a lot younger, I bought lots of Chet Atkins albums. I was always impressed by how he played. I think it was that bass line I got attached to. I remember he played a song he called Yankee Doodle Dixie, I believe. I was amazed how he could do that. I’m 77 now and I loved listening to your playing,I really enjoyed it.👍👍🇨🇦

I enjoyed this immensely, and am feeling blessed also. Beautifully done. Best regards

The first song that I learned to play (Travis Picking style) Was a Doc Watson song (covered by Crystal Gayle) called, "Ready for the times to get better", It took me a solid week to wrap my head around "Travis picking", but, with "Perfect practice", I finally learned it. (I've heard people say that "Practice makes perfect", But, I say that "Perfect practice" makes perfect, Because, you can practice something all day long, but, if you're not practicing it "perfectly", then, You're playing it wrong.) ;-)

ve it! Yodeling and everything. Fun. Glad you are singing more often on your videos! Thanks for sharing anecdotal stories and the guitar techniques. By the way, one of the things I so enjoyed about your late friend and mentor Chet Atkins, was his absolute joy onstage! I only saw him live once, in Sacramento, California in the 1980s and was thrilled. Like your mentor Chet Atkins, you are able to play Gospel, Country, Jazz, Rock, Pop, Texas Swing, American Patriotic, Hawaiian Slack Key, a bit of Blues, Flamenco, and even Classical. Thanks for the many styles of the snippets you played tonight!

Love it Doyle! I'm age 65 fingerstyle player /singer , just a student... playing for fun in Ft. Lauderdale.😎

Can’t wait for the videos!

Thank you Doyle!

Picking at its finest!!

You and tom bresh ive traveled miles im this ole semi my 30th year your right with me, love sundays

Thank u bro

Thank you... That was fabulous. BTW... at one time, I owned one of the ten Whyte Laydies Vega made for Grandpa Jones.

While now I am in Tennessee, throughout my years in CA, I always looked forward to those Sundays you would visit Calvary Chapel High Desert. Those were special moments. The Lord has gifted you mightily & I truly appreciate you sharing them here on You Tube. The Lord bless and keep you dear friend.

I am very happy for hearing your comfortable guitar playing. Thank you very much.

I wish you would gig here in the Netherlands. I used to live in Georgia for a while so I know this music and I fell in love with it. I just hate see guys like you play guitar…it makes me wanna throw away my guitar lol. You’re one of the best fingerpickers in my book, Mr. Doyle !! Greetings from the Netherlands

Bro. Doyle, thanks for sharing. I’ve been into fingerstyle for about 12 years. I wish I had started sooner, but it’s really a lot of fun and I get regular gigs.

I love the way he keeps saying "you can do that..."! Well maybe "you" can do that IF you're a genius level musician and guitar player like Doyle, Chet, and very few others, but me? I can noodle with single line melody stuff, and have fun doing it, but that's it for me. I love watching incredible players AND musicians like Doyle, so much fun and spiritually uplifting too. I'm getting old and like pretty music that lifts my spirits, not into distortion and "hard" rock music much anymore. I also think his spiritual grounding influences his playing, God speaking through him as it were, because sometimes his playing is heavenly!

Thanks for sharing your Gift to the whole world!

Wow man can't believe I just discovered you. After watching you I don't know if I should practice more or just take the guitars out back and start a bonfire.

I’ve always wondered how you manage to remember all the songs you play at the drop of a hat. I have to keep playing my catalog of songs (more like a comic book of songs really) on a regular basis or I will forget how to play them. How you can remember songs when you know so many is a mystery to me. Thanks for making me “think”.

Absolute delight, listening to that. Thank you. 🙂

Loving every bit of your finger picking. You've got me back to playing my guitar. Always looking forward to your new videos. May God bless you and with your guitar ministry.

Spellbinding....OMG This fella makes Hendrix & SRV look like beginners! How can you remember so many notes & phrases? I am in total awe at your talents SIR Thanks & God Bless You, Amen

I KNEW Grandpa Jones, and, Stringbean, and, I suppose, MOST of the older country artists! I was part of a GROUP that was signed by Irving Waugh himself in 1969!

That Olson - Whew 😅

I see a Roland JC60! I bought one in 1976. Still have it. Does some things very well.

Doyle your guitar playing is so beautiful and so is your soul. ❤️👍

Great playing for 45 minutes and no mistakes. Rhythm and everything just in place. Very impressive.

Hello from West Cork in Ireland It is a great delight for me to freshly discover a magnificent guitar player that I hadn't heard of before. I now have another man to enjoy along with the likes of Tommy Emmanuel

Thank you Brother Dykes for doing this. In fact, for doing this Whole Channel. God Bless You

Doyle, I have loved your playing for many years. I remember learning about you in some demo programs you were doing for Taylor. I believe. You are definitely a treasure and 7m so glad 8 came across your channel and this video. You bring life to the guitar. Thank you

wow,,,, just wow..!

Doyle, we need to get Gretsch to make you a signature guitar! Truly inspiring!

Hard to beat that Olson. WOW! Great sound and beautiful, too. Doyle is so talented.

That was absolutely WONDERFUL. I'm so glad I decided to watch this video. Music is Music and that's what you showed in this video. Thank you so much.

It's like having Doyle Dykes in your living room! You'll have a cuppa tea? Aah go wan.

Saved this for my Sat am Coffees . . . . . . thanks Doyle for the ear candy, and great conversation.

Man you play guitar like it was part of your hipbone at birth. I thought I heard all the maestro pickers. So exciting to find another original marvel. Wil be following you sir. You are as good as all the people you mentioned. By golly.

Doyle , thank you brother ... you are pure inspiration man !!!

Very valuable sharing with my blessing. 🙏😊

You so windy and warm well. You have lead worthy bass and treble going together in opposite directions. I think you’re playing better in this vid than others.

Lovely playing..I like to glean as you say, l have a Chet Atkins Country Gent 62’ and Classical nylons..need to learn those runs..

Doyle Thank you so much for posting all this! My wife & I watched the whole video then replayed it again! Because of your video presentation, I am still inspired to continue playing GUITAR at age 86!. I still play your beautiful DDSM my wife bought at Weatherford, Texas

I'd say the Dr wondered why this baby boy named Doyle Dykes had a thumb pick on! Now we know why thankyou for sharing!

The thing about Chet, he'd run it down 'til it was so smooth, you'd never see him working; he made it look easy. News flash; it ain't. When I use a thumbpick, which I admit is seldom, I use a Saddle Pick; it's the only one I've found where you can backstroke a string without it flying off. That lets me flatpick some quick runs in between screwing up the fingerstyle stuff.

What a great sounding guitar. Beautiful.

Started trying to play fingerstyle after seeing Tommy Jones on Nashville Now but with a flat pick. A little later I saw you live in Magee, MS. and changed to a thumb pick. That was probably early to mid nineties and still thumbpicking. Not very good but I have a blast trying to play! Thanks for what you do.