Dooley & Baldwin might have been relatively unknown before 2020, but their debut at the Historic Athens Porchfest, streamed online during the height of the pandemic, catapulted them to recognition when they garnered the fourth-highest views among 44 acts. At first glance, their sound firmly places them in the country rock genre, with recordings that echo the British invasion of the late 1960s. However, a deeper dive into their debut EP, Welcome to Dawgtown, and their latest album, Rant, reveals a band that keeps its audience engaged by infusing their setlists with a blend of Americana and alternative country.
What sets Dooley & Baldwin apart is their unique lineup. Lead members Ashton Dooley and Norman Baldwin both hold Ph.D.’s, while bassist Dror Arussi is completing his doctorate in music with a focus on guitar. Drummer Phil Marston is a graduate of the prestigious Berklee College of Music. Yet, despite their impressive academic credentials, Dooley & Baldwin are far from a group of reserved intellectuals. They’re a high-energy band that thrives on audience interaction, encouraging fans to sing along, dance, and treat each performance as a celebration.
Since then, Dooley & Baldwin have played No. 3 Railroad St., Athens-Clarke County Library Concert Series, The International Grill and Bar, numerous Hendershot’s Open Mic Nights, Terrapin Brewing, Akademia Brewing Company, Athentic Brewing Company, Creature Comforts Brewery, Ciné, Flicker Theatre and Bar, Upstairs Bar at The Gyro Wrap, Local Coffee House & Study Lounge (Athens), Local Coffee House & Study Lounge (Covington), Amici’s (Madison), Southern Brewing (Monroe), Wayfarer Music Hall, Boutier Winery & Inn, Mellow Mushroom (Roswell), SmokeyQ BBQ, JD's on the Lake, Mulberry Springs Vineyard and Winery, TradeWind Coffee Company, The Derby Sports Bar (John’s Creek), Central City Tavern (Sugar Hill), Twisted Oar, Fish Tales Lakeside Grille, Sunset Bar and Grille, Margaritaville--Lanier Islands, Cowboys & Angels Restaurant and Bar, Hitchin Post 55, Statham Porchfest (2024), Historic Athens Porchfest (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024), and Athfest 2023.
Musically, Dooley & Baldwin’s repertoire is a seamless fusion of southern rock, country rock, and Americana, drawing inspiration from legends like Willie Nelson, John Denver, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Lynyrd Skynyrd, John Mellencamp, Billy Ray Cyrus, and Garth Brooks.
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