Dirk Dillinger Stewart
Dirk P Stewart is a solo performer of his original material. Roots of Folk/Blues acoustic flavored and favored.
Writing since 1972 only now willing to share.
I do this for fun and enjoyment, my own therapy of sorts.
Glad to be alive.
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
By Elizabeth Sullivan for The Aquinian
Dirk has been involved with music since an early age in one capacity or another. Producing in the studio & live stages, promoting in Ottawa as well as the MarItime provinces, along with a very successful stint as a booking agent in Fredericton. In the time that he's been creating music, he has managed to churn out many original pieces of music, placed into his reserves at SOCAN ( and a member of the Songwriters Association of Canada) . This song collection is coupled with the pride of having been asked to have one of his songs recorded by two different artists, It's what my dream was; to not go out and be a superstar performer myself, but to hope that I could write a song that was worthy, one that somebody else would like to put on their recording. That's happened twice now, with the same song co-written with Connie & Paul, Connie and Paul as well as Melanie Ross have added the tune to their discographies.
His talent for writing does not stop at songs and poetry. Recently he found himself writing for one of his friends, Her father was a prisoner in the second world war after he was shot down. He was a pathfinder bomber and he ran through Europe for eight months, was captured by the Germans and was held prisoner of war. She had a lot of documentation and she asked me if I could write it up so that it could be read as a story, so I did that for her. It's called 'The Pathfinder'. I have a copy of it online on my facebook page, so that everyone could enjoy it.
After forty three years, of living and loving music, Dirk sees no end in the near future. He's still willing to share his musical knowledge and hopes people are willing to take the advice. He says on the subject, Practice. Practice your musical skills, practice your song writing skills, practice your people skills and don't be too eager to get your first record out. Make sure that someone at least semi-professional sees it first and gives you some constructive criticism because it's something that you're going to need. "
Dirk's one of the little known wonders that New Brunswick produces. He's a feature of Fredericton's downtown scene that should not be taken for granted.
By Elizabeth Sullivan for The Aquinian
Dirk is continually writing and pursuing a predominantly acoustic and resonator sound these days ...
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
Kitchen Party's/Open Mic Nights/Songwriters Circle's are my preferred venues to get feedback from my songs. Working in the studio recording with Eddy Daley &The Cross Dogs. Performing live with Rattle Cab Blues Band, Bills Love Lounge & Solo performances as Dillinger
Your musical influences
Sean Phillips, Yes, Doc Watson, Merle Travis, Eddy Daley, Dave Mason, Blind Faith, JJ Cale, John Lee Hooker, Led Zepplin, Willie Dixon, Eric Clapton...
What equipment do you use?
AKG 1000,Shure SM 58,Sony Stereo Condenser, Pro Audio Sonar, Acid 2.0, Yamaha FG410 Guitar Acoustic with Dean Markley Soundhole Pickup, Old Samick F4 Cedar Top-Acoustic in Open G, 2005 Fender American Standard Stratocaster with Buzz Feiten Tuning Nut, 1966 Traynor Tube/Reverb/Tremolo Amplifier, Fender Hot Rod Deluxe and Blues Junior, Boss Pedals, Cakewalk Home Studio, Fruityloops Studio 5 Producer Edition, Abelton Live,GT Player Express, KRISTEL Audio Engine,
M-Audio Fasttrack USB Interface, Cambridge Soundworks 4.0 Surroundsound with Creative Wave Studio & Recorder.
Anything else?
As you said, anything goes! I HAVE BEEN BUSY THIS SUMMER AND EARLY FALL BUT I DID WRITE AN ARRANGEMENT WITH A LYRIC TODAY. "Run All Night" it is a Rockin Blues number about running from who you are.
