Big Creek Band is composed of veteran musicians from the Northeast Arkansas Area. Band members are Dave Pearson vocalist and rhythm guitar, Dennis Mathes on pedal steel, keys, lead and harmonica, Sonny Ackerman lead guitar and bass, Ray Dacus,vocal rhythm and bass and on drums Kyle Riley, George Hinds plays bass and sings with the band.
Over the years many other musicians played with the Big Creek Band. Mark Hill, Billy Spence, and Wendell Bell on drums; Jerry Bell on guitar; and Mary Jackson vocals all played with the band on many occasions.
Dennis Mathes who is the band leader and a multi instrumentalist performed with Freddie Hart, Wynn Stewart, Johnny Western and Eddie Dean while working on the west coast.
Dave Pearson who is the vocalist for the band was a member of the Troy Opry for a number of years.
Sonny Ackerman plays lead guitar. He was on Alley Records Label in the 60s and played lead guitar on the record collectors prize Arkansas Twist by Bobby Lee Trammel.
Dave Dacus has been playing music for over 50 years. He plays bass and rhythm guitar in the band. He has played with such notables as Larry Donn, Sonny Burgess, Bobby Lee Trammel, and Teddy Rydel.
Kale Riley is the youngest member of the group but he is rooted as deep into the music as the rest of the members. Kale began playing drums at age 13 while performing with his father Vaughan Riley in the Blue Diamond Band. He went on to perform with Jerry Hopper and Charlie Chalmers before joining the Big Creek Band.
Mark Hill played with the band in 2001 and 2005. He also played at the Big Creek Reunion Tribute to Dennis Mathes at Blues Fest in 2006 along with George Hinds, Sonny Ackerman, Dave Pearson, Mary Jackson, Billy Spence, and Dennis' son Scott Mathes. Jerry Bell enjoyed the show from the audience.
Top photo Dennis Mathes
Bottom Photo on the right Dave Pearson and Sonny Ackerman on the left.
Photos this page by Vivian Heyl
Dennis Mathes On Delta Musicians
Sonny Ackerman on Delta Musicians
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