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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZDREGSUS rock band formed by guitarist Steve Morse (b Ohio; grew up in Michigan; moved to Georgia in early teens). First called Dixie Grits, the Dixie Dregs, since '81 Dregs. Lineup Morse, Rod Morganstein (drums), Andy West (bass), Allen Sloan (violin), Steve Davidowski (keyboards). First LP Free Fall '77 for local Capricorn label, home of Allman Bros, Marshall Tucker Band; emphasis on instrumental skill rather than vocals much in Allman mould. What If '78 and Night Of The Living Dregs '79 with new keyboardist Mark Parrish, himself then replaced by T. Lavitz on Dregs Of The Earth '80, first album on Arista. Reduced name to Dregs and moved away from southern rock towards jazz rock for Unsung Heroes '81, Industry Standard '82, latter seeing inevitable departure of fiddler Sloan; balance redressed by guest spots from Doobie Bro. Patrick Simmons on vocals, Alex Ligertwood from Santana, guitarist Steve Howe from Yes. Howe especially highly rated Morse, who doubled on banjo and pedal steel and whose mastery of styles saw him nominated by readers of USA magazine Guitar Player as "best overall guitarist' '82, Industry Standard as best guitar LP; dismissed by Sounds in the UK as "the Mike Oldfield of the rodeo set'. |