The Hi-Fi Hillbillies
The Hi-Fi Hillbillies are fabulous! – says everyone who’s ever heard them
The Hi-Fi Hillbillies ignite the spirit of the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s with electrifying performances of vintage rock and roll. With authentic grit, razor-sharp musicianship, and undeniable charisma, they don’t just play the classics—they bring them roaring back to life, transporting audiences straight into the golden age of AM radios, dance halls, and neon-lit stages.
I spoke with keyboardist and lead singer Pete DeLesDernier recently, who explained the trio: “We come from very different musical backgrounds, and while none of us are necessarily playing the music we’d choose to listen to individually, we’re playing what we most enjoy creating together. I grew up in the ’70s during the AM-to-FM transition, drawn to progressive rock like Yes, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, and Genesis; Matt O’Melia, the drummer, leans toward classic rock like The Who and the Grateful Dead; and Neil Dirickson, who studied music at the University of Tulsa, brings formal jazz and theory training along with a love of late-’60s experimental and psychedelic music and great songwriters such as Jimmy Webb, Leon Russell, and Elvis Costello—influences that blend into something uniquely ours.”
Neil’s wide musical range led him to spotlight instrumentals, particularly high-energy surf tunes from the late ’50s and early ’60s. With his instinct for arrangement, he introduced driving pieces like “Jack the Ripper” by The Safaris and “Miserlou” by Dick Dale. That emphasis on instrumentals also opened the door for Pete to showcase keyboard-driven grooves like “Green Onions” by Booker T. & the M.G.’s, and the sound grew bigger and more diverse.
The HiFi Hillbillies have played the Tunes @ Noon series three times and are already booked again. Pete explains his take on the experience playing in the front hall: “It’s been fantastic—the whole crew pitches in, helping with setup and hosting the event. A video montage of cell phone clips is now on YouTube and our website, and it captures one of the best-sounding gigs we’ve ever done. The room can be challenging with its high ceilings, tile floors, and windows, but the state-of-the-art sound system made all the difference. Since we provide our own sound, and I mix 90% of our shows, having someone else handle the system—and do it so well—is something I truly appreciate.”
Pete has a long relationship with the Church Studio and is now even a docent. “I came out for the Grand Opening of The Church Studio. I had known Teresa Knox casually, having been on the bill for a Leon Russell piano concert at Will Rogers High School a few years earlier, and I got to know her better during the production of that show. They also brought in Nancy Ruth, with whom I had worked in television in the late ’90s. When Tunes @ Noon launched, we submitted our name and were booked and even earned studio recording time in the process.
“We have recordings, including some original songs tracked at The Church Studio in 2024, though we haven’t officially tackled publishing them yet,” Pete explains. “Our website’s ‘Music and Videos’ tab features cover songs for demo purposes—a few of which we’ve played live, usually to everyone’s amusement. One original favorite of ours is “Okie Wonderland,” inspired by a late-night stop for gas when Neil found himself surrounded by a cast of characters worthy of a screenplay—going back and forth from the marijuana dispensary parking lot to QuickTrip next door. The tagline says it all: “The folks in NYC would never believe what happens in Okie Wonderland.” Set to a New Orleans-style R&B groove, it makes everyday Oklahoma feel like it wandered off the map—colorful, slightly strange, and happily unaware it’s in a song.
“Neil and I have also recorded with Randy Brumley in the main studio, and the room truly has magic,” says Pete. “The control room is equipped with state-of-the-art and classic mixing gear, processing equipment, and microphones—everything you could want. The grand piano in the space, purchased from Dan Fogelberg’s estate, is the finest piano I’ve ever played.”
Pete explained, “I knew Steve Ripley, who also owned The Church Studio for two decades. He would stop by KVOO Radio to talk with John Wooley and others, and I’d often hang out as well. Ripley loved digging into Oklahoma music history, and he especially came in looking for Moon Mullican recordings.” Mullican was a hugely influential American singer, songwriter, and pianist known for blending country, western swing, blues, boogie-woogie, and early rock and roll. Often called the “King of the Hillbilly Piano Players,” he had a driving, rhythmic style that helped shape the sound of rockabilly and early rock music. “I was able to transfer vinyl to digital and help preserve some of that material on CD for Steve. He mentioned more than once that he learned from Moon Mullican, and he did a deep dive into that sound while preparing for The Tractors. It’s a reminder that you can’t truly understand the depth of Oklahoma music unless you study it—and sometimes the best way to understand it is simply to hear Moon Mullican and let that influence sink in.”
Neil also has a solo project called Nude Furniture, where he records all the instruments himself. The name came from childhood TV memories—he used to hear furniture commercials playing nonstop and misheard the phrase “new furniture.” The project has grown into four or five albums available on streaming platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music, and is featured on his website and Facebook page.
Look for The Hi-Fi Hillbillies at the upcoming Carney Fest 2026. They also bring their high-energy show to hot rod events and BBQ festivals, lighting up crowds wherever they play. Their music is streaming on all major platforms, and you can follow them on their website and Facebook for updates, music, and show dates.
