The Dealer

At age 18 amid the feverish turmoil of 1968 Melvin Litton left the Air Force Academy, got a pawn shop guitar, began picking and never left off, marched to his own drummer over the next 25 years as The Gothic Cowboy.

Then, with Roger Holden (guitar) and David Melody (drums), he formed The Border Band and they played hard ‘n heavy for 20 years, running through a slew of bass players while releasing 7 albums.

In 2016 he retired the band and reclaimed his old handle as The Gothic Cowboy and soon formed a duo with Mando Dan Hermreck. In 2019 they released a double album, "Between The Wars". His final album, "The Dealer", again features Dan Hermreck on mandolin along with Sasha Feryok, a fine young talent on fiddle.

“These songs, many new, some retrieved from the dust of my 75 years, play from the past to the present, as does the title song. In this great wide world there’s always a 'Dealer', whether in the White House or on the Buffalo Range, who aims to rig the game for the few against the many, our only chance is to band together and fight to even the odds. Likewise, to smooth and flavor my rough hewn songs, I’ve joined with two fine musicians: my long time friend, Mando Dan Hermreck, and a lovely young lady, Sasha Feryok with her Slavic fiddle, can’t praise them enough. Again, I wish to thank Tommy Perez for his deft mix and master. Finally, I nod to the listener, in whatever clime or country, without you the songs do not live. Good luck in all your struggles and carry on!” ~ Melvin Litton