Dakota Backline

10/22/2024

Some recent offerings in the shop. I’ve been buying lots of interesting instruments lately. Vintage guitars and instruments in the Samco Plaza on Deadwood Ave in Rapid City.
605-381-6195

09/15/2024

It was a very busy Saturday at the Deadwood Jam. What a great lineup. Starting with Nathan McEuen. His dad John was one of the original group that created this annual festival. Next, my very talented friends Johnny Hastings, Oakley Rathbun, Will Waller and Kaleb Buum - tore it up! Hogslop String Band brought a little fun with some high energy country/ bluegrass/americana. Blind Boys of Alabama was my big surprise of the day. These gentleman are definitely the real deal and incredible singers. Big Something and Dumpstaphunk ended the show on a beautiful night. As always, the staff and crew at DMM Systems did an awesome job of keeping a complicated production day running smoothly. This show involved a truckload! of gear and I don’t know how I could have made it through the day without the help of Bubs, Hugh, Jordan, Joella and Zach on the stage crew. Thanks to everyone.

09/07/2024

It was a picture perfect day for a Marshall Tucker Band/Jefferson Starship show in Deadwood on Friday. I’ve worked with both of these bands a few times and always enjoy how friendly and pleasant they are. Donny Baldwin with JS is a legendary drummer and one of the kindest people on the planet. It was great talking vintage drums with him. Thanks to Jesse and the staff at Deadwood Mountain Grand and the Powerhouse Audio crew for all their help getting me through a long day.

08/31/2024

It was a beautiful day for a Deadwood show on Friday. Outlaw Square hosted “Smashmouth”. They sounded fantastic and had a huge crowd. They’re a fun group to work with and everything went great. Thanks to the band crew, Jason Hoar and the Powerhouse audio crew and Bobby Rock at Outlaw Square. Nearing the end of our outdoor season.

08/26/2024

It was a busy week in Deadwood at “Preacher Smith Redemption Day” and “Kool Deadwood Nites” this year. Jordan Feliz was at Outlaw Square for Preacher Smith Day. Then we had “The Drifters” on Tuesday at Deadwood Mountain Grand. Peter Noone and “Herman’s Hermits” on Main Street on Thursday, a very good “Abba” tribute on Main Street on Friday. We also worked with “Aeromyth” and “Bostyx” tribute bands at Mr. Wu’s. DD & the Fayrohs was the opening act at KDN for decades and between that and backline duties, I believe this is the 30th year I’ve been involved with Kool Deadwood Nites.

08/12/2024

Rally week - time to get out all the Marshall cabs and SVT’s. We had gear at Kickstands, Full Throttle, and did shows at Shade Valley Resort and Iron Horse in Sturgis. Great to see my friends Jory and Paul from Nightlife Audio from Bismarck and thanks also to Larry at Kickstands, Ryan from Shade Valley and Pat White and his awesome crew at Iron Horse Saloon.

08/02/2024

Had a nice time in Bowman, ND last Saturday. What a pleasant surprise to discover that it was a car show event. They had a great turnout and some incredible cars were lined up both sides of Main St for about four blocks. The band (Sixties Mania from Las Vegas) was really entertaining. Met some new friends from Audio Connections from Brookings, SD. Thanks to Jeff and Chris Engen and their son David.

07/16/2024

I’m looking for a Kurzweil K2500 or K2600 keyboard to rent for a backup on Aug 22. I might consider purchasing one if the price is reasonable. Please call Don at 605-381-6195

07/08/2024

Had a wonderful time in Saratoga Wyoming on Saturday with The Lita Ford Band. Great weather, great crowd, great band. Her crew was very nice to work with and it was a good day. Saratoga is a really nice small town in SW Wyoming and they know how to throw a party. Scott Gooch and staff from Perfect Wave had everyone sounding great.

06/02/2024

I spent the day yesterday doing a Chubby Checker show at Prairie Wind Casino in Pine Ridge. He is still an amazing performer. WOW!!! He had a packed house on their feet singing and dancing from the first song to last with very little if any space between songs. Incredible energy and he still hits all the notes. Thanks to all the helpful staff at Prairie Wind Casino and Lucien and Diamond from Perfect Wave Audio. Had a great day.

05/14/2024

Not really backline related but a fun story to share. Today is one of my favorite days of the year. It’s delivery day for our annual “readiatrics” book drive. When I was in grade school, I checked out a book at the bookmobile that visited the school every couple weeks. “The Red Car” is about a young man who finds and restores an old MG. I read the book many times and didn’t realize at the time what an impact it would have. I’m just finishing up restoring our 5th MG and credit this book with at least some of why I am passionate about old cars, especially MG’s. I’ve talked to a couple “car guy” friends that had the same experience with this very book. Never underestimate the power of reading.

05/02/2024

TBT - I found some pictures from the late ‘90s at my old store on Main St. It would require a small fortune to have these in my inventory today. I still buy and sell vintage guitars, drums and other instruments but it’s much harder to find this kind of selection.

04/25/2024

More great deals available this weekend at the shop. I still have some vintage Zildjian cymbals, some cases and a few more amp deals. Peavey Session 500 steel amp - $250, Yamaha 100 watt bass amp - $125, Fender Mustang V head with 4x12 cab - $250, Blackstar Silverline head with 2x12 cab - $275. Friday and Saturday from noon to 5:00.
Don’s Guitar & Music in the Samco Plaza on Deadwood Ave.

04/17/2024

Thanks to all who visited the shop on Tuesday. I’ll be there from noon to 5:00 today through Saturday. It was nice to see some old friends and meet new friends yesterday. 2843 Samco Road - on Deadwood Ave in Rapid City

04/16/2024

I’m having a spring cleaning sale this week. I have quite a few older amps along with cymbals and miscellaneous drum stuff. Good prices on some nice older equipment. Tuesday thru Saturday from noon to 5:00 each day. Unit U in the Samco Plaza on Deadwood Ave.

04/05/2024

03/31/2024

We had a few shows the last two weeks starting with John Waite at the Deadwood Mountain Grand. He drew a very appreciative crowd and put on a fantastic show. We then had “Paradise Kitty” - a female Guns & Roses tribute at “The Box” in Box Elder. Thanks to Scott Gooch and staff at Perfect Wave Audio for his help on that show. Finished up with “The Guess Who” at DMG. A very long day made much easier by Jesse and his great staff at DMG and Jason and Eric and the Powehouse Audio staff. Thanks to all.