The LAB Featured Artist

J  A  C  K      D  I  L  L  M  A  N

July, 2002

Web site:
http://www.jackdillman.com

Jack Dillman wears his heart on his sleeve every time he picks up his dream and plays for the fans that faithfully join him whenever and wherever he is given the opportunity to play. His music is a comforting companion for the pained, and a jovial pub anthem for those just wishing to pass the time. His influences include David Gray, Dave Matthews, and James Taylor, and are prominent in his composition style.

Playing guitar was a dream from childhood, and Jack’s dedication to that dream manifests itself in the gentle, yet powerful touch of his lyrics. His aim is often to help usher listeners through his life experiences in the hope that they will help someone cope with their own difficult times. Failed relationships as well as the thrills of new ones provide sometimes-whimsical rhymes while blurting out the honest truth. In “Bad Man,” Jack tackles particularly powerful emotions regarding his biological father, while “Life is Beautiful,” Jack’s first composition, lightly touches the listener’s cheek to wipe a tear and bring light to an otherwise darkened world.

The 16 years Jack has spent expressing his emotions through song are apparent in his live performances as he quickly changes a troublesome G-string and quips about its breakage to the audience. Upon request, he has performed songs ranging from “All Along the Watchtower,” Jimmy Hendrix style and “You Don’t Mess Around With Jim,” by Jim Croce to “Fire and Rain,” by James Taylor and “Crush,” by Dave Matthews.

Jack’s style translates well in combination with a large array of musical styles, perhaps because of his concept of writing. “I am a very simple man, and I write songs using a very simple approach. I don't "overwhelm" my songs with crazy guitar parts and weird rhythms on purpose. It is not that I can't, I just like to be simple. I see it as if you keep something simple, then the listeners will hear the lyrics more and be able to soak them in.” Jack often plays solo acoustic shows, but has also opened for bands as powerfully rock-driven as the popular Washington, D.C./Fairfax, VA based band, Rotoglow, and the slightly softer, Americana influenced bands, Nothing But Oregano and AJ & Altercana from Lancaster, PA. “To me it is a dream - the chance of a lifetime. To let the whole world hear my music and know how my life has been. To say "Look at me, world. I am everything that you are; we all fall down and get back up!! You are not alone."

Jack Dillman
http://www.jackdillman.com
Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Currently available album: Jack Dillman , “Live @ the Blue Star “, Recording Date: 8/11/2001