Andrew Pike

Website Design & Development · Dennon Photography

How It All Started

It happened completely by chance. Some Louisville friends had just been signed to Atlantic Records — the band Outspoken — and were heading out on their first major tour. Andrew made it to one of their early shows, and afterwards they invited him onto the tour bus.

That's where he met Wayne Dennon. Camera around his neck, instantly at ease with everyone on board. Wayne started showing Andrew his photos. Andrew was immediately struck by the quality and energy in them, and asked Wayne if he had a website. Wayne said no. Andrew told him he should — and suggested Wayne reach out so that everyone could share the joy of his pictures.

"He had a camera around his neck. He quickly became friendly with everyone on that bus. He showed me some of his photos — I asked him if he had a website. He said no. I suggested he reach out to me so everybody could share the joy of his pictures."

Wayne reached out. Andrew started building the site almost immediately — it became something he was genuinely passionate about, driven to make it the best it could possibly be. In the process, he taught himself to code entirely through the countless hours spent building and improving Wayne's website.

Every Weekend, A New Adventure

Wayne and Andrew's friendship grew quickly, and the site became a regular part of both their lives. Every weekend Wayne would hand Andrew hundreds of new photos to post — an ever-growing challenge as Wayne's excitement to share his work with the world never slowed down.

Going to shows together was always an adventure. Andrew would carry Wayne's camera bag while Wayne walked tall and confident straight into arenas and stadiums — stack of band passes on a lanyard around his neck, Nikon in hand, like he owned the place. Because in those moments, he kind of did.

"He would have me carry his camera bag while he stood tall and confident, just walking into arenas and stadiums with his stack of band passes on a lanyard around his neck and Nikon camera in hand."

Wayne had a way of making everyone around him feel the excitement. He didn't stress if a photo wasn't perfect — he was just thrilled to be there, thrilled to capture the moment, and thrilled for people to see it. He would often introduce Andrew to people as his "badass web guy" — and people would continually compliment the site. Wayne was proud of it.

The two talked constantly about the site. Those conversations are captured — in part — in the voicemail messages below. Wayne's energy and enthusiasm come through in every one of them.

A Few Glimpses of Wayne

Always himself, always good energy.

Wayne with Billy Sheehan — legendary bassist of Mr. Big, The Winery Dogs & the David Lee Roth Band

Wayne with his family - they meant everything to him

Wayne with Hollywood — even the dog knew Wayne was good people

Wayne Dennon — always himself, always good energy

Wayne in action — Nikon in hand, right where he belonged

Wayne with Billy Sheehan — legendary bassist of Mr. Big, The Winery Dogs & the David Lee Roth Band

Wayne Dennon

Wayne was the kind of person who made friends everywhere he went — from Louisville to arenas across the country, people who met him once never forgot him. He was relentlessly optimistic, full of positive energy, and had a personality that filled every room he walked into. A friend to so many people in so many places.

In 2019, Wayne was involved in an accident on his Harley-Davidson trike, from which he never recovered. He is deeply missed — by Andrew and by the countless people whose lives he touched. He was Andrew's very best friend.

♥

Wayne Dennon

Dennon Photography · 2002 – 2019

Photographer · Friend · Forever Missed

In Wayne's Own Words

These are the last few voicemail messages Wayne left for Andrew — saved and recovered after all these years.

Voicemail 1