Album Notes

The Rhythm Dawgs are a band made up of four guys from completely different corners of the musical universe. Take a blues influenced bass player, team him up with a Bob Wills loving drummer. Add a GIT educated lead guitarist, and throw in another guitar player who grew up on a steady diet of AC/DC and Grand Funk. Who could have known that what would come out would be a crowd-pleasing entertainment package that mixes traditional blues, classic rock, a little country, and some primetime TV for good measure.

The roots of the Rhythm Dawgs goes back to 1994, when bassist Frank Calcagni meet drummer Bill Asa at an open mic. After several lineup changes, Frank met guitarist Dana Vandiver at their day job. Dana had recently moved to Austin, and was looking to get back into playing. After several months of rehearsal and socializing in Bill's garage, the band, by then know as the Rhythm Dawgs were ready to play their first show.

By the second gig Ken Carver, a mutual friend of Frank and Dana, was sitting in on guitar with the band for a couple of numbers. After a few times, the band felt that if Ken was going to come out and play, he might as well get the same crummy pay as them, so Ken was asked to join the band. "We really wanted Ken in the band," says Frank. "I knew he had been a guitar player in a previous life, had a decent voice, and most importantly he owned a van." Ken joined the Dawgs in April of 99, completing the line up.

The Rhythm Dawgs have evolved quit a bit in the 7 years since they got together. Ken doesn't own the van anymore (but he bought a big SUV with a trailer hitch, so he got to stay in the band), and the guys are covering quite a bit more musical ground these days. Nothing is off limits to the Dawgs musically. And after almost 1000 hours of performance time, there aren't too many other acts around the Austin area that can keep up with 'em.

The proudest accomplishment of the band has been the completion of their second CD, "New Tricks". This time out, the group's songwritting and arranging talents are showcased with six original songs that run the gammet from boogie blues to old school rock and roll. Oh yeah, the songs are pretty dang good as well.

As the promotional package says...."If you're looking for a slick, upscale, production...then this isn't the band for you. But if you're in the market for an entertaining band made up of four regular guys who just happen to be some extraordinary musicians, then call out the Dawgs."