Dirk Van Houweling

   Dirk Van Houweling has a career sixty plus years in the making. From his humble beginnings in farmland, Iowa, plucking away on his first acoustic guitar, Van Houwling knew that making music and melodies would be an integral part of his future, though fate had different aspirations. His journey would take the now 64 year old from the farm to gridiron to the stage and many creative avenues in between. Van Houweling recalls seeing The Beach Boys jam out at a local bowling alley at age 9, cementing dreams of musical success and artistic experimentation in his mind. He may not have been able to fully grasp the gravity of seeing The Beach Boys at such a young age, but one thing was clear; acoustic was a thing of the past and electricity was his new obsession. Though deeply musically inclined and born into a vastly creative environment (his brother handcrafted him an amp at age 12), Van Houweling would soon put down the guitar and pick up a football, even playing under legendary coach Lou Holtz at North Carolina State. It seemed, at least for the time being, that music was now relegated to a childhood hobby. 

   After surviving a neck injury on the field, football took a backseat to his new life as a college student who simply wanted to experience life, travel and a lot of music. Hitchhiking the country more than once, concerts became his new love. Legends like BB King, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd planted seeds in the young Van Houweling, once again awakening his first passion. Over the years, the musician found new loves in his wife and children, his various creative and hands on jobs as well as constantly pursuing education, both in design and in music. He dropped his first record in his late 50’s, an incredible feat and true testament to those who believe you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Now 64 years old, Van Houweling is on fire, currently crafting his second record and sharing a love now six decades in the making.