Dennis Dyer – Tommy Cashwell
March 1969, I returned to Central Florida from travels “On The Road’ and residency in Biloxi, Mississippi. “I Need A Gig” was a priority. I write about this in my book “Notes of a Young Drummer 1966-1969”
Somehow I connected with Jim Ramsey. Jim had a gig in Auburndale and needed a drummer. I forget the circumstances. I may have been subbing.
That’s the first time I met Dennis Dyer. That Ramsey gig led to my joining Tommy Cashwell in Riviera Beach, Florida. In my mind - Several times in my lifetime - I followed Dennis into a gig. After my stint with Tommy Cashwell in South Florida, Dennis rejoined Tommy for a long period of time. Tommy Cashwell was one a kind.
When I started my Riviera Beach gig with Tommy, I was replacing a very fine drummer. At age 73+ I can’t remember Earl’s last name. He really played great. Tommy Cashwell required a groove and feel from his drummers. When I played with him in 1969, I was a weirdo hippie. I guess I played enough backbeat. I certainly wasn’t a Jazz Drummer.
Earl had a beautiful set of Rogers. He was leaving the gig to return to North or South Carolina. He seemed very professional. He had the demeanor of a Wall Street Executive. For that gig in Riviera Beach there was another drummer – singer named Bob Justice. Bob could really play shuffles and backbeat groove. I learned from listening and playing with him on that bandstand. He had a successful band called The Justice Brothers.
I’ve seen and heard Dennis Dyer since 1969. We met again at a memorial for Ronnie “Byrd” Foster. (2010) It was a jam session get together. Dennis continues to play great.
He has a fantastic feel for the tradition of Rhythm and Blues – Soul Groove drumming. Tommy Cashwell’s Band specialized in that genre.