About the Dalhart Imperials

Blessed with three original songwriters and a wealth of multi-instrumental talent, the Dalhart Imperials are one of the most unique and versatile bands ever to emerge from the Colorado music scene. Although they have been named “Best Country Band” four times by Westword magazine, the Dalharts have expanded upon their original vision of true traditional Country & Western, to include nearly every American musical form. Western swing, country, jazz, blues, folk, hillbilly, bluegrass, gospel, cajun and Tex-Mex are all elements that the band understands, and they incorporate these elements seamlessly into a style that is theirs alone. If you are looking for country and western music for true believers, the Dalharts deliver in spades, and then they give you the rest of the deck, as well.

Formed as a retro country band in 1993, the Dalhart Imperials quickly established themselves as one of the top Western Swing bands along with contemporaries Asleep at the Wheel, Big Sandy and Ray Condo. Their mastery of many instruments including acoustic and electric guitar, Hawaiian and pedal steel guitar, fiddle, piano, mandolin, trumpet, accordion, acoustic and electric bass, banjo and drums, allows them to combine whatever musical elements their collective imagination conceives. When combined with the band’s experienced songwriting savvy, the results are often familiar and unexpected at the same time. Delightful combinations of instruments can be employed within a song at any moment, allowing the band an unfettered range of expression. Dalhart Imperials shows often leave spectators wondering how to label what they have just heard, but the most common description is simply “original”. The music is rooted in traditional American forms of all sorts, but manages to defy categorization by imaginative combinations of songs and sounds no mere “guitar band” could hope to match. Although the retro feel recalls comfortable and familiar rudiments, the unique and unusual instrument combinations are clearly unprecedented. The Dalharts music is as new and fresh as any in contemporary American music.

The Dalharts have released several 7” vinyl recordings over the years. The long awaited and appropriately titled full length CD “Finally: The Dalhart Imperials”, was released on Big Bender records (www.bigbender.net) in 2000.

A new release of original material is in the works for 2007.

Les Cooper: Les hails from Woodway ,TX. He has travelled a very crooked path from high school honor student and college graduate to truck driver and performer. His favorite singers include Faron Young, George Jones, Ray Price, Wynn Stewart, Buck Owens and Roger Miller. In addition to fronting the Dalhart Imperials he has written a number of their original songs including: Pardon Me If I Cry, Just Getting By, Sentimental Fool and You Better Just Move On.

Tim Whitlock: Another multi-instrumentalist, Tim gives the band authentic western flavor with his vintage Fender pedal steel guitar. He also contributes on mandolin and occassionally the standard guitar, as well. As a long time fixture on the Denver songwriting scene, he has contributed such Dalhart staples as "Saddle Up" and "Ranch Party".

Rodney Bowen: Hailing from Hewitt, Texas, Rodney takes his place among the pantheon of fine Texas timekeepers such as Smokey Dacus and Johnny Cuviello. Rodney first got his start playing drums in his junior high and high school marching and concert band.

Jean Ballhorn: Born in San Angelo, Texas and raised in the lonesomest parts of Wyoming, Jean grew up listening to old country music on fuzzy AM stations. Her first request to a late night country dj at age ten was for Hank Williams Sr's "Your Cheating Heart". Still carrying a torch for great country music she finds great inspiration in the hot fiddle stylings of legendary western swing fiddlers Jesse Ashlock, Joe Holley and Dale Potter.

Donnie Jerome: A veteran of many great Denver bands including the Flatlanders and the Honkytonk Hangovers, Donnie's driving upright bass style gives the fine soloists of the Dalhart Imperials a rock solid foundation from which to take off. Donnie is also a renowned songwriter and sings some deep bass backing vocals as well.

Dale Peak: Hailing from Avon, Ohio, Dale studied jazz guitar at Ohio State University. He migrated to Colorado in the 1990's and continued his studies, but secretly dreamed of fame and fortune in show business. His dreams came true one night at the Skylark Lounge, when he was invited to audition for the Dalhart Imperials. Up against some fierce competition, Dale's dazzling array of jazz chops eventually won him the job. His favorite guitarists include jazz greats like Wes Montgomery, but lately he has developed a passion for swing guitarists Junior Barnard and Jimmy Bryant.