While he is known as the bassist for Dallas-based party band Emerald City, Dwayne Heggar is more than just your typical “bass face.” He has managed to insert his style into the D/FW music scene by becoming one of the most sought-after bass instructor in the area, and he is widely respected by many of the area’s top musicians.
Growing up in Mexia, Texas, just outside of Waco, Dwayne started piano lessons at 12 and played trombone in the school band. But he found his real calling when he picked up a bass guitar at the age of 16.
After receiving a music scholarship to McLennan College, he was the first graduate of a newly designed commercial music program that is now in colleges and universities throughout the country. Dwayne supplemented his degree with arrangement classes at the University of North Texas before pursuing jingle writing as a career.
Texas Tornado Jeanette Brantley hired Dwayne after his very first audition upon moving to Dallas in 1984. He stayed with her for three years while also playing for jazz vocalist Suzy Hoskins, Laurie Hollingsworth, Martha Burkes, Richard Thomas and the Sesame Street, and pianist Robert Saunders.
In 1987 he left the Brantley Group to explore the pop scene, and once again was hired on first audition by Dallas Brass and Electric, where he stayed until getting the call from Emerald City Band in 1989. His career with ECB has taken him around the globe, playing everything from corporate events to White House engagements.
Dwayne started teaching bass guitar in 1990 and has taught over 700 students thus far – including Texas Tornado Dave Moro. He still has time to play with the Dallas Mavericks house band and serve in worship bands for various Dallas churches. Currently he is blessing the services of The Pathway of Life church.
Whether he is wielding his Fender 5 string, or his Marcus Miller Sire V7, you can recognize his style on recordings by various jazz, rap, country and blues artists. Watching him lay down a rhythm on his Zeta Electric Upright Bass will definitely put you in a dance mood.
