blain's World

Blain Dillard

Blain (aka B-Dawg) started playing guitar when he was 12. His big sister Beverly got him into playing John Denver and The Beatles. She taught him how to play the basics, but it was learning The Beatles "Blackbird" that was his proudest accomplishment at that age. Until he joined Old Play, it was still the only song he knew how to play from start to end from memory. (Yes, that is a Captain & Tennille record cover on his childhood wall - don't judge.)

Blain quit playing during his young adult years, but picked it back up when he heard the various unplugged renditions of 90's bands - Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Nirvana, etc. He took some lessons then, and improved his play - or at least, volume level - after buying a Fender Stratocaster. His boss at the time, Brian Theise (pictured, right, green shirt), was an excellent guitarist and inspired him as well. The first time Blain ever sang in public was when he joined Brian in singing backup on "Taking Care of Business" during karaoke at a work event in Boca Raton, FL.

Many years later, Blain played in a church band and bought his Ovation acoustic for that purpose. Eventually, after playing for friends on his deck, Blain and his friends got together and formed Old Play. He added the beautiful blonde Fender Telecaster to his arsenal thanks to his wife's generous 2017 Christmas gift. The rest is history.

Blain's favorite artists are Rush, The Police, Elton John, Pink Floyd, Thomas Dolby, Queen, Boston, Bjork, Alice in Chains, Nine Inch Nails, Jimmy Buffett, Chopin, Mozart, and yes, still John Denver.

Blain lives in Cary with my wife and #1 fan, Lori, and has 3 sons - Seth who works for RKF Racing in Charlotte, Caleb who works at Chick-fil-A in Cary, and Luke at UNCC.