Darrell Bailey, who plays lead guitar for On the Bus,
got his first Yamaha acoustic guitar at age 13
in a trade for a Chicago double album set. Soon after,
he acquired a 70’s blonde Telecaster, which became
the catalyst for Darrell’s mastery of the instrument.
His early influences being Eddie van Halen, Jerry Garcia,
Jimi Hendrix and Duane Allman, it naturally followed
that he developed the soulful, blistering lead guitar style
people have relished in and around the DC area for years.
Darrell’s played in many bands around town including the
famed Awakening. His wide variety of experience in many
genres enables him to fully explore the many facets of
the Dead’s broad spectrum of musical styles and influences.
He’s shared the stage with the likes of Paul Kantner of Jefferson
Starship, Blues Traveler, Dave Matthews, and Tom Principato,
among so many of the areas most respected musicians.
Darrell joined On the Bus and immediately brought the awe
inspiring guitar leads so eerily reminiscent of Jerry Garcia.
In addition to OTB, he’s a member of Tin Foil Hat.
Darrell usually plays a 2000 Paul Reed Smith or his 1987 Gibson
Les Paul He runs both through a beautiful Mesa Boogie Mark II.
He still has his original blonde Tele, which could use a re-fretting,
having been slowly worn from decades of playing on his musical journey.
