“Stay true to yourself is what my grandpa always told me,” says Opelika, Alabama’s Dallas Dorsey. “Reminiscent of something out of the Wild West during the post-civil war era, this town is the seat of Lee County (named after Robert E. Lee),” tells the history buff. Dorsey, who considers Steve Earle, Eric Clapton, and Darrell Scott among some of his favorites, is acclaimed song-man Adam Hood’s lead guitarist. Touring the Texas red dirt scene through Oklahoma, Kansas, and all over the Southeast since 2006, Dorsey just released a self-titled EP, which brings a bit of grit from the road.

Part southern rock, part alt-country — Dorsey’s sound is a product of his solid guitar chops and the storytelling of a seasoned musician. Taking up the craft of his mentor, Hood, in recent years and running in the same circles as Brent and Dave Cobb, Dorsey has built a solid reputation as a solo artist. It was Dave who led him to his 2014 release Come On after suggesting he work with producer Les Nuby at Ol Elegante Studios in Birmingham.

An electrician by day, Dorsey spent the last year recording five stellar songs for his new project at Sound Wall studio in his hometown. The lead track off the EP Don’t Call Me evokes Mellencamp with a playful fiddle and warm vocals. The unhinged Waylon-esque guitar featured on “Stranger” and an ethereal steel make it another stand out track off the EP. “Tires Roll On” embodies Allman Brothers southern rock and the sweet harmonies draw you in as Dorsey sings about life on the road. 

Dorsey enjoys his small town life with his photographer wife and two-year-old son while working on his ever-growing music career. Listen to Dallas Dorsey’s new self-titled EP here.