This is not your ordinary "Trio" (For starters, there are four members). The heart of their sound is a combination of all that is New Orleans: zydeco, cajun, rock and roll, honky-tonk, street parade, and jazz. Using a traditional New Orleans instrumentation, the DPT ventures into territory where no tuba or banjo has dared to tread. Led Zeppelin, Dr. John, Chuck Berry, Jelly Roll Morton, the Ramones ... no matter where their material comes from, the DPT transforms it into something fun and uniquely its own. 
In 1992, in a basement in Fredericksburg, Va., three guys got together to learn a couple of Dixieland tunes for a club date. It was during this rehearsal that the idea for the Dixie Power Trio was born. It would be a
Dixieland band that played rock and roll! Andy Kochenour provided the steady bass lines on his tuba, Zack Smith churned out the melodies on his cornet, and Bert Carlson added rhythm banjo and vocals in the original incarnation of the group, which soon added Byron McWilliams to provide drum grooves.
After a trip to the local pawn shop, Smith was soon playing accordion, washboard, and harmonica with the DPT, taking on the role of resident multi-instrumentalist. (He now endorses Hohner Blues Harps and Tee Don's are the "Official Rubboards of the DPT".)
The band recorded its first CD "Out of Control" a year later and started receiving national attention through airplay on NPR's "All Things Considered" while becoming notorious for their takes on "Stairway to Heaven" and "Freebird." Soon, the group was out touring the country, recording its sophomore CD, "Greetings From Gumboville," and trying to cope with the inevitable band tension that came with the increased workload. McWilliams eventually dropped out to spend more time with his three beautiful children, and Ryan Diehl came aboard to man the drum chair. After seven years of playing "Staiway to Heaven" nightly and not a lot of progress towards the goal of fame and fortune, the DPT decided it was time to start shifting away from the goofy nature of their early repertoire and time to start playing
the music it was most comfortable with. Hello zydeco, jazz and originals. It was during this period that Carlson left to pursue his wilderness living dreams, and guitar virtuoso Wayne Wilkinson joined the group.
Soon the band was in the studio laying down its third CD "Ain't My Fault," and beginning the process of reintroducing itself to the public. After a number of well-received performances at venues such as the Kennedy Center (D.C.) and the Krannert Center (IL), and with newfound popularity on MP3.com, the DPT had begun establishing itself as the East Coast's premier New Orleans music ensemble. It was also during this time that the group began occasionally doing performances as the New Line Brass Band, with its beefed up front line .One more change was in store for the DPT, as Diehl departed for greener pastures and the band welcomed back McWilliams, who was now much more available with his children starting school. What followed has been a harmonic convergence of sorts, with the new-sound DPT cranking out a mix of New Orleans jazz, zydeco, cajun, and original tunes that has been captivating a wide audience throughout the United States.
The band's latest effort, "The Virgil Sessions," developed from a funny thing that happened on the way to the Great American Brass Band Festival.
The group broke down in Ashland. A man stopped to help them and would not take any money for his efforts.
They wrote a song about him and the whole CD is based about that random act of kindness.
See the Web site: dixiepowertrio.com.