Winners of the 2026 International Blues Challenge and Best Guitarist - Derrick Dove & the Peacekeepers is an award-winning Southern-fried blues rock band hailing from Tifton, Georgia, deep in the South Georgia pines. Led by vocalist and guitarist Derrick Dove, the band fuses gritty blues with classic Southern rock influences, drawing comparisons to legends like the Allman Brothers Band, ZZ Top, Blackberry Smoke, and Tedeschi Trucks Band. Derrick's musical journey began early—he started performing at age 10 as the drummer in his father's oldies band. Through high school bands, a brief stint on the road with a country group after dropping out of college, and a short-lived move to Nashville in 2009 (where he loved the scene but not the industry), he returned home around 2010 and formed what
would become Derrick Dove & the Peacekeepers. After years of relentless touring—hundreds of shows annually, the band released their self-titled debut album in 2018 to critical acclaim, shortly after Derrick's father passed. Their sophomore album, Rough Time (2023), dedicated to Derrick’s father, channeled personal struggles, the pandemic, and life's hardships into powerful tracks blending driving guitar riffs, soulful organ work, and occasional horns. It includes their hit single “When Did I
Get Old”. In January 2025, they released their third album, Burn It Down, featuring the standout track “Just Walk Away”—a heartfelt song about heartbreak and resilience that earned widespread acclaim. In November 2025, Derrick Dove & the Peacekeepers won Song of the Year – Jazz/Blues for “Just Walk Away” at the 11th Annual Josie Music Awards, held at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. Earlier that year, in August 2025, they were named Entertainer of the Year at the International Singer-Songwriters Association (ISSA) Awards. The band has also achieved multiple #1 placements on the iTunes blues charts.
The current lineup features:
Derrick Dove: lead vocals and guitar
Johnathan “JT” Thomas: keys
Jamie Richardson: drums
Walt Dunn: bass
Known for electrifying live performances, they've shared stages with ZZ Top, Blackberry Smoke, The Wallflowers, Marshall Tucker Band, and more. Recent releases include singles like "Comeback Kinda Love," "Can't Move On," and tracks from Burn It Down. With heartfelt lyrics exploring love, loss, and reflection, Derrick Dove & the Peacekeepers continue to keep authentic Southern blues rock alive.
