Country-rock group formed in Paradise (described as “Exit 13 off the Baltimore Beltway”) in 1977 by guitarist Billy Kemp (guitar, harmonica ex-Crossfire), with his brother Dougie Kemp (drums, percussion), Jack Dipietro (bass ex-Grand Junction), Brian O’Doherty (keyboards), and Weldon Myrick (steel guitar).
The group became the house band at the Paradise Tavern on Frederick Road. Also seen regularly at Ye Olde Mill Stream Inn, Chatham Lounge, Our Place (the new Sweeney’s), and the Park Lounge in Brooklyn.
A February 1979 line-up featured original members Billy and Doug, along with Derek Crouch (bass), and Jeff Hyman (pedal steel). The group released a single on the Sheffield label 1536 “I Tried to Love You” b/w the night club favorite “The Paradise Song.” They won an award for best local country band by radio station WPOC. The group performed in the Baltimore Super Jam ‘79 at Martin’s West with Freewater, Trigger Happy, and No Mercy. The Pickers also played for a crowd of over 11,000 at the Susquehanna Bluegrass Festival in August 1979.
In January 1980 Crouch and Hyman left the group. DiPietro returned with pianist Brian O’Doherty (ex-Peabody Jazz Ensemble). The group was renamed Billy Kemp & the Paradise Pickers. An album was released in 1980 on BKPP 380 titled “I Know You Know We Know.” Local performances included the 1980 Preakness Festival.
Billy went to Nashville in 1982 and joined the touring bands for Terry Gibbs (4 years) and Tommy Overstreet (1 year). Crouch went on to join the Whiskey Hollow Band.
In 1984 ex-‘Pickers Jack Dipietro, Doug Kemp, and Jeff Hyman along with former Whiskey Hollow Band members Barney Davis, and Dave Chappell formed the band Barbwire. Their music which they dubbed “country rockabilly blues” could be heard at the old Paradise Pickers haunts such as the Millstream and the Capri on Route 40.
The Pickers re-formed in 1986 with Billy Kemp (guitar, vocals), Dave Appleby (bass), Michael ‘Mookie’ Siegel (keyboards), Jerry Carraway (percussion), and Doug Kemp (drums) calling themselves the Billy Kemp & the Paradise Rockers. They released an album in 1988 titled “Nightwaves” (Essential 881) and performed locally at the Eight by Ten, Armadillo’s (Annapolis), Last Chance Saloon (Columbia), Nicky D’s, Back of the Vac (Ellicott City)…
Billy joined Tommy Conwell & the Young Rumblers in 1990 replacing guitarist Chris Day. Locally, they performed at Hammerjacks. Billy later worked with guitarist/vocalist Christina Van Norman (1994 CD “Communion” Willbilly Music 894), and in ‘00s toured nationally and recorded with guitarist/vocalist Jeni Hankins (record releases include 2006 CD “Sweet & Toxic” Jewel Ridge 002).
Siegel briefly toured with Tommy Conwell in 1991 in support of their “Guitar Trouble” album. He went on to work with several post Grateful Dead bands including joining Bob Weir’s bands Kingfish in 1992 (appears on their 1999 studio album) and RatDog, and with Phil Lesh & Friends group. Siegel also worked with the David Nelson Band (of New Riders of the Purple Sage, Jerry Garcia Band) and is featured on at least 4 CDs on High Adventure Records. He also appears on recordings by many others including Toni Brown, W.C. Spencer, Kevin Johnson, Rich Chorne, Reality Jones…
O’Doherty relocated to LA and established a very successful career as a writer and performer under the professional name Dillon O’Brian. He released his first album “Scenes from My Last Confession” (RCA) in 1994. Since then, his songs have been recorded by Bonnie Raitt, Amy Grant, Neville Brothers, and others.
O’Brian has also appeared on 1998 various artists album “From the Heart of Studio A: The Folksong Collection,” the 2002 soundtrack “Summer Catch,” and the 2005 Baltimore novelty CD “A Baltimore Christmas” as a member of the Charm City Warblers with Harry Orlove and Denny Weston, Jr.
In the ‘00s Dipietro played locally for the Automatic Slim blues band. Billy Kemp & his Willbilly band featuring John Thomakos (drums), and Justin Crown (bass) performed at the Cat’s Eye Pub in Fells Point, Trolley Stop in Ellicott City, Half Moon in Silver Spring, Columbia Lakefront…
As The Paradise Pickers:
1979 Sheffield 1536 I Tried to Love You / The Paradise Song
As Billy Kemp & the Paradise Pickers:
1980(LP) BKPP 380 I Know You Know We Know
1981(45) Seagram’s 7 IBB-1027 That Lady from Albilene /
As Billy Kemp & the Paradise Rockers:
1988(LP) Essential 881 Nightwaves
As Billy Kemp:
1979(45) Brandwood 0020 If You’ve Got Love / A Song for Willie
