I’ve “known” Dennard from the Blues Guitar Unleashed forums since he first lit up the stage at the BGU Live jam at Lake Arrowhead, CA in 2018. I wasn’t at that event, but his original songs and charismatic stage presence brought him immediate fame within our online community. This man is a player!
Sue and I first crossed paths with Dennard in person at the 2023 BGU regional jam in Grand Rapids, and again in 2024 in Albuquerque. We were looking forward to jamming a few tunes with Dennard again earlier this month in Parker, but, alas, at the last minute he could not attend due to a family visit. We’d also been looking forward to meeting up with Dennard here in SoCal around this time one year ago, and that was one of the visits confounded by our sudden change of plans. Not this time!
Dennard doesn’t drive, so he bikes all over San Diego. He uses a bike for transportation to errands and appointments as well as for exercise and fun. He is the current president of the Major Taylor Cycling Club of San Diego, a group named in honor of the 1899 World Track Cycling Champion Marshall Walter “Major” Taylor. Major Taylor has been celebrated as “the first great black celebrity athlete” and was a pioneer in his efforts to challenge segregation and racism in sports in general and in cycling in particular. Local chapters of the MTCC exist all over the US and internationally. In addition to organizing and coordinating rides and advocating for cyclists and cycling facilities, they are dedicated to using bicycles and bicycling to promote diversity and health, and continuing Major Taylor’s legacy.
Clearly this was the time and place for us to take our bikes off the back of the motorhome, air up the tires, and get ourselves back in the saddle. Dennard brought us on a cycling tour through this very bicycle-friendly city on a route that combined city streets clearly marked with well-designed bike lanes (along with surprisingly little traffic and notably calm, respectful and courteous drivers) and bikeways separated from traffic. Our guide took us first uphill to the highpoint of Paradise Hills for some fine views over the city, bay and ocean, then onward to Chula Vista Bayside Park, and finally Imperial Beach, our turn-around point at the southern end of San Diego Harbor. (As an aside, at about 23 miles, this was our first significant ride in, uh, way too long – and it felt great! Thanks, Dennard!)
Dennard tells us he’s not been playing much guitar lately, though he’s been busy with songwriting. We did a little brainstorming about collaborating remotely once we get back home, and we spent a lot of time simply talking. We talked about politics, philosophy, music, BGU jams past and future, bikes and e-bikes, grandkids and great-grandkids. On that last topic, we learned that Dennard has 2 kids, 5 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren, which kind of surprised us. Then he told us ALL of them have names that start with the letter “J”! Son Joel, Daughter Jennifer; Grandsons Jared, Jared, Jeremy, Jaiden, Jaxson; Great-grands Jayda, Juniper, Julitza, Jazynn, and Jenesys.
We met, for the first time, Dennard’s wife Juanita, who is passionate about hugs and dogs, and we very much enjoyed getting to know her. Now, Dennard had already introduced us to Simba, the household’s canine resident, who clearly loves Dennard and got along well with us. However, when Juanita arrived home from work it immediately became clear who is Simba’s favorite human. Also, Simba loves noise toys!
We’re already planning to connect again with Dennard at the next BGU meet up in 2026 and collaborate on a few songs.
For those interested, there are some more San Diego pix in this album.