Brent Groh It’s nothin’ but a good time on Bret Michaels’ Parti-Gras 2.0 Tour as the legendary Poison frontman brings his high-energy rock show to fans across the country. Joining Michaels on this wild ride is Dean “The Machine” Cramer, a guitar virtuoso who’s been shredding stages for over four decades.
Cramer’s journey playing alongside Michaels is a testament to his talent and dedication. The Virginia-based guitarist has been honing his craft for more than 40 years, earning a reputation as a top-notch axeman. It was through his friendship with Pete Evick, Michaels’ longtime guitarist, that Cramer got his big break.
“Pete and I have been friends for about 20 years,” Cramer reveals. “We played some shows together with my old band, Funny Money, and he always liked what I did.”
When Evick needed a fill-in guitarist for a gig with Michaels, he knew just who to call. “Pete called me on a Tuesday while I was in the middle of teaching,” Cramer recalls. “He asked if I could fly to Mississippi and play with Bret that weekend. Of course, I said yes. It was a no-brainer.”
Brent Groh Dean Cramer and Dee Snider
Cramer’s debut with Michaels was a baptism by fire. With no rehearsal and only a brief soundcheck, he had to rely on his skills and instincts to nail the set. “I was surprised when Bret came up with the nickname ‘The Machine’. Of course, it quickly became what everybody else started saying,” Cramer laughs. The moniker stuck as a testament to his precision and reliability on stage night after night.
Cramer’s talent and versatility have earned him high praise from both Michaels and the other legendary musicians on the tour, like Don Felder, Lou Gramm, and Dee Snider. “It’s surreal, sitting there going, ‘There’s Dee Snider,'” Cramer marvels. “I grew up listening to him. And now, when we do ‘Highway to Hell,’ he wants to be face to face with me.”
So what’s Cramer’s secret weapon on stage? He’s currently rocking a stunning purple Iconic guitar. “I fell in love with it,” he gushes. Cramer runs the guitar through a Shure wireless system into a streamlined pedalboard featuring a King of Tone overdrive, Line 6 DL4 MkII delay, Supro Boost, and JAM Pedals Waterfall chorus.
But gear is just part of the equation. “Steve Lukather doesn’t need a $1000 pedal to make his impact. He can do it with a $50 pedal because he’s Steve Lukather,” Cramer wisely notes. “It’s not about being complex. It’s just that it’d be no different than AC/DC – there’s the three chord thing again. But if you play the wrong one at the wrong time, you’re gonna hear it.”
In addition to his six-string prowess, Cramer is also focusing on elevating his lyric writing on his upcoming solo album. “I’ve gotten so much inspiration and advice through music, more than I’ve ever gotten from a human being in my entire life,” he reflects.
Dean Cramer Facebook Cooking aside, Cramer is thrilled to be part of the Parti-Gras 2.0 Tour, which features a rotating lineup of special guest rock legends at each stop. The tour hits Pine Knob Music Theatre in Clarkston, MI on Friday, August 23 and the OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino and Resort on October 12, 2024. Michaels is known for peppering his stage banter with local references to connect with each crowd. “He knows how to throw down the local vibe,” Cramer confirms. “But at the end of the day, our job is to make Bret look as good as he can.”
Cramer’s infectious enthusiasm and monster chops have made him an indispensable part of Michaels’ touring machine. Night after night, he pours his heart and soul into every riff and solo, leaving it all on the stage.
“I play what I like and what I want,” Cramer declares. “Luckily, enough people have liked it throughout the decades that I’m still able to do it. I just write what I write, and if I like it, then you’ll hear it. If I don’t, you’ll never hear it.”
Don’t miss your chance to catch Dean “The Machine” Cramer and Bret Michaels on the Parti-Gras 2.0 Tour as they bring their high-octane rock show to a city near you. It’ll make your mama not only dance, but rock and roll as well.
Brent Groh Bret Michaels
