Dykes is influenced by a wide variety of musical styles and musicians, from Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed, and Duane Eddy, to the Beatles and U2.

Some of his best-known works and interpretations are "Wabash Cannonball", "Country Fried Pickin'", "U2 Medley", "Be Still", "Amazing Grace" and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps".

[4] He cites June 1965 during his church's "summer revival" as the moment he became a lifelong Christian as an 11-year-old boy, seeing "the lights of salvation and a new purpose and desire for my life and since that day, I've never been the same".

Lackey attended his church one day, and using a thumbpick from his pocket, "completely blew him away" with his "spider picking", playing just like Chet Atkins and Merle Travis, Doyle's heroes.

[6] Dykes' early years as a guitarist took him around the world as he toured with the Stamps Quartet and later with Grand Ole Opry star Grandpa Jones.

Dykes is an avid collector of old Western movies, including the films of John Wayne, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, and Steve McQueen.