I was born in Augusta, GA. I lived down the street from James Brown. My dad had the best record collection and a Harmon Kardon stereo system. He and mom danced and cooked out every weekend. I got my rhythm from them. I tackled trumpet in 4th grade in Charlotte. My first big concerts were: AC/DC with Quiet Riot, Neil Diamond, Van Halen, Bruce Springsteen and Chicago.

I took on the drum set in 7th grade and played them in bands all through highschool. My folks got me a guitar (not a car) for my 16th birthday. For a short while I studied percussion at UNC, my alma mater. I wrote my first songs in college and recorded my first CD my senior year ironically at the same studio and at the same time as Ben Folds Five's first CD...we both made it on the same local compilation CD. Some friends of mine all played in a party band called Velveeta on the side and at the same time I formed Orange County (named after the county in NC next to Chapel Hill).  Later, that band moved to Charleston and reformed into United Hotcake, who shortly thereafter were asked to play the Music Farm with  Moe. several times and Chapel Hill's Southern Culture on the Skids. We recorded a CD and pretty much broke up immediately. So, I focused on songwriting and created a few underground demos.

This evolved into locking myself in a house for about 10 days in the winter of 2003 to write and record a solo CD. It sold pretty darn well on Awarestore.com despite the fact that I engineered the project. I got lucky and found a great band that needed a singer and like peanut butter and jelly we got together and played a gig. A generous music lover verbally signed us on the spot and produced The Residency EP at the incredible Sonica Recording Studios. That CD sold even better on Awarestore.com - and beat out the likes of John Mayer and Liz Phair for a stint. With a move from Atlanta to Charleston with no band, I decided to go back to the drums set and form a new band...The Secret Knock became the inspiration for some new songwriting and some gigs, one with Cowboy Mouth....what are the odds of getting to hear two bands in one room with lead singer-drummers? 

May of 2006 was the beginning of the recording sessions with whizkid producer Patrick Boyd. The Secret Knock members, as well as a handful of other talents, helped collaborate on this CD. July 11, 2007 marks the date of the release of Yates Dew's newest CD release "The Day. The Dog. The Girl." Check it out at Awarestore.com - it is far and away the most organic, well-produced, true recording project that I have ever been involved with.  I sincerely hope you like it and thank you for all of your support.  Please continue to spread the word, and I'll continue to write this little story.

Cheers,

yates