Chad Dughi's Page

"Chad's got everything a folksinger needs to ply his trade: a thumb like a jackhammer, a voice like a hobo's prayer and an encyclopedic knowledge of American music."
- Steve Earle

"Catch this guy now - he's going places."
- John Prine

Honolulu-born guitarist, harmonica player, singer and songwriter Chad Dughi has been immersed in archive recordings of American folk music since his youth. His repertoire encompasses a diverse range of styles that were popular in the United States, during the 1920s, ‘30s and ‘40s. Songs from the Carter Family, Woody Guthrie, Sleepy John Estes, Mississippi John Hurt and Billie Holiday feature in his performances, and it is from this well of tradition that Dughi’s own writing draws its flavor. The songs featured on this page are all his own.

A fascination with the origins of American folk song drew Dughi to Ireland in the mid ‘90s, where he was soon recognized as an accomplished songwriter and performer of the traditional songs of his own country. In 1998, he appeared in Galway and Dublin, with Andy Irvine, Mick Hanley and John Faulkner, in a series of sold-out concerts organized as a tribute to the legacy of Woody Guthrie. Over the next years, he met and performed with many of Ireland’s most respected musicians, among them, Arty McGlynn, Johnny Moynihan, Brendan O’ Regan, Frankie Lane, Michael Buckley, Cathal Hayden and Poor Bill Whelan.

In 2003, Chad was invited to play at the Arty McGlynn: A Celebration concert at the Galway Arts Festival, appearing on the same bill as Matt Molloy, Frankie Gavin, Paul Brady, Maura O’ Connell, John Prine, Martin O’ Connor and others. He performed on a BBC Northern Ireland television special with Arty McGlynn and was featured at the Woody Guthrie 40th Anniversary Celebration Concert in Belfast.

Dughi’s performances and three albums, Down Home Blues, Freedom Fries and Phoenix Song Dogs, have received favorable attention from radio presenters, music journalists and celebrated songwriters such as John Prine and Steve Earle. He has appeared at folk clubs and festivals in Ireland, England, Scotland, France, Italy, Portugal, Canada and the United States.

Having returned to the United States towards the end of 2008, after twelve years living in Ireland, Dughi has recently recorded a set of original songs with two Colorado-based jazz musicians and is completing work on an album.

“I’ve done a few Woody Guthrie tribute shows with Chad. Always found him to be keen as mustard, sharp as a razor and ready for battle and ready for battle! He is a driven man, when it comes to singing and playing the guitar, both of which he does in a unique and well thought-out way. Highly recommended.”
- Andy Irvine (Sweeney's Men, Planxty, Patrick Street, Mozaic)

“In Chad Dughi we witness a stunningly talented singer, songwriter, guitarist and live performer. With influences ranging from Blind Blake and Big Bill Broonzy to Woody Guthrie, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott and Dylan, Chad is a 21st century troubadour-bard in the finest tradition – that of the poet-musician-entertainer. A not-to-be-missed musician, singer and performer, either live or on record.”
- P. J. Curtis (author, broadcaster, producer)

“Don’t know what it is about the water out west, but it’s nourished its share of travelling musicians. Hawaiian guitarist and champion of acoustic blues Chad Dughi holes up there sporadically. Freedom Fries, his second solo outing, is a damn fine snapshot of a musician who stands on ground as firm as any acre that fed Woody Guthrie, and yet as fluid as any waterway that Mississippi John Hurt navigated. Aside from the refreshingly informed sleeve notes, there’s a swathe of original tunes that cozy up alongside Guthrie originals. Dughi’s is a voice that’s more Okie than either Honolulu or Headford, and his guitar style is designed to cushion rather than dominate the song. Small wonder he’s got Arty McGlynn guesting. Superb.” Irish Times

“Tennessee-born Dughi is a musical historian and songwriter…. His guitar and harmonica fire an eclectic repertoire from Billie Holiday, Blind Alfred Reed, the Carter Family and more, conjuring modern day equivalents of Woody Guthrie dust ballads with uncanny ease.” Irish Times, reviewing Down Home Blues

“His guitar playing is fiery and down home, flicking off blues licks like nobody’s business and always with a great sense of rhythm and swagger…. Best of all is [his song] Other Ways To Get Around Down In New Orleans with its laid back snare drums, rolling, chiming acoustic guitars, and colourful, descriptive lyrics.” Galway Advertiser, reviewing Down Home Blues

“Chad Dughi kicked off with a fine swath of Guthrie’s lesser-known material. Embracing Woody’s pioneering talking blues style, Dughi made Dust Pneumonia Blues his own. He delivered tales of mining disasters and Okie misery with the ardour of a true believer who knows that in at least some quarters not a lot has changed. Dughi’s down home guitar picking and his ebbing harmonica style lent a dimension to Guthrie’s music that’s rarely aired, but much welcomed.” Hotpress, reviewing a Woody Guthrie tribute concert at Whelan’s, Dublin