BIO

    Born in Canton, OH, Troy Dillinger moved to Austin, TX with his parents at the age of 8. He recieved an acoustic guitar for Christmas when he was 13 and began learning bass parts on the pawn shop instrument. 3 years and 2 lessons later, he was performing professionally by night and attending high school by day, joining the high school jazz band as a "ringer" and to get out of regular classes.

    His role as bass player for the Austin band "The Urge," provided an opportunity for him to play in Austin clubs and build his reputation as a musician. He then joined "Chinese Cowboys" with Fastball's Miles Zuniga, followed by a stint with "Steel Power," a Soca & Calypso band with members from Trinidad & Tobago.

    His first International tour came at the age of 18, with LA wild man Dino Lee's "Godz Among Men." A memorable trip, Dillinger lost his front teeth on the first night of the 3 week tour when he was hit in the mouth with a quart of beer thrown by an irate fan. Upon his return to Austin, he formed the infamous "BAND FROM HELL," which featured former bandmate Zuniga. In BFH's existence (1986-1990), it hosted many talented and noteworthy musicians, including Mike Carroll (Poison 13), Bobby "Rock" Langraff (Gahdzilla Motor Company, Honky), Phillip Patterson (Watchtower), Christopher Bray (The Meatmen), and cofounder Johnny Medina (Jesus Chrysler).

    After BFH's breakup and a year hiatus from music, Dillinger hired on with the Rolling Stones for their "Steel Wheels" Tour, where his love for music was rekindled, giving him new interest and direction. He formed "Del Dragons" in 1991 and switched instruments to guitar.

    The "Del Dragons" moniker stuck for another 8 years although the "band" had long since become Dillinger's sole vehicle. Since 1992, his live/studio bands have hosted a "who's who" of musicians, including Ian McLagan (the Faces/Small Faces, Rolling Stones, Bonnie Raitt, Rod Stewart, Billy Bragg), Brian Wenz (The Road, the Chambers Brothers, the Pretenders), Hunt Sales (David Bowie, Iggy Pop, Todd Rundgren), Kevin Carroll & Keith Robinson (Charlie Robison, Jimmy LaFave), Mike "Cornbread" Traylor (Alejandro Escovedo), Scott Garber (Ronnie Lane, Calvin Russell, Alejandro Escovedo), Stewart Cochran (Jimmy LaFave, Calvin Russell, Dahveed Garza, 54 Seconds), Rob Hooper (Jimmie Dale Gilmore), and Robert Kearns (the Bottle Rockets).

    In 1996, he recorded the band's first full-length recording, "Southern Jumbo." The CD was self-released in the US, and on the DixieFrog/MSI label in Europe and led to a tour of Europe in mid-1998. The tour and disc were successful, recieved praise in the European press, and led to a national televised concert on the tour's stop in Russia. Another CD, "Live In Paris," was released in 1999 and documented the band's appearance on OUI-FM's "Live at the Chesterfield" radio show.

    Dillinger then began the process of building a name for himself as a solo artist. Since 1999, he has toured the US primarily as a solo acoustic act, and has self-released 3 additional CDs. A fourth, the unreleased "Vivre," which features Stephen Bruton (Kris Kristofferson, Bonnie Raitt, Bob Dylan), Jon Dee Graham (True Believers, John Doe), Bruce Hughes (Poi Dog Pondering, Cracker, Bob Schneider), was co-produced by Dillinger, Bruton, and Oscar/Grammy winner Chet Himes.

    Today Troy Dillinger has honed his songwriting and performance to a wistful, silly, energetic and engaging informal relationship with his audience. After nearly 20 years as a professional musician/frontman/songwriter, Dillinger is as jaded as you might expect and has been called "one of those famous musicians you never heard of."