People--Places--Events
PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
Front Page Story: Dec/Jan combined issue December 2011
For Iowan Doug Ducey, It’s All About The Music It all started when he heard his mother’s record of Elvis Presley singing his hit recording of Hound Dog - - that’s when Doug Ducey discovered Rock & Roll. “I remember sitting at the kitchen table with Mom’s little record player and playing that record over and over. I’d turn that RCA 45 RPM record over and listen to Don’t Be Cruel once or twice, then, flip it over and play Hound Dog some more. It wasn’t so much Elvis’ voice that captivated me as it was the sound of Scotty Moore’s electric guitar,” Ducey said. When his grandfather brought home the family’s first transistor radio, Doug was hooked. “I had the radio turned to KIOA every chance I got and loved the whole Rock & Roll genre, but I was especially attracted to tunes that were built round a guitar. Artists like Buddy Holly, Carl Perkins, Duane Eddy and Ricky Nelson were my favorites. In the early 60’s I listened to the Beach Boys a lot - - again, a lot of electric guitar out front. Then in 1964, after seeing the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show, Doug knew he just had to learn to play the guitar. “What I saw there were four guys that appeared to be having just a lot of fun making music.” Soon after, Doug purchased his first guitar with $13.50 of “paper route” money. An older gen-tleman named Clyde Bates soon began to give him weekly lessons and he was off and running. “Clyde taught me to read music and some chords,” Doug says, “then he pretty much cut me loose, saying that what I needed to do was to play music with as many musicians as I could, because I’d learn something from everyone I’d play with. Man - - he was so right! We all have our own ways of doing things on the guitar, and I learn so much playing with or just watching someone else play.” In the small southern Iowa town of Mystic, there were not a lot of guitar players, but Doug soon found some players to ‘jam’ with. “There was this group of older guys that played music in each other’s homes a lot. They started letting me come to their ‘guitar parties’ so it wasn’t long before I was playing some pretty decent rhythm guitar. This is where I first got acquainted with country music. These guys would play and sing the old Hank Williams tunes, maybe a song or two by Johnny Cash, some Hank Snow, Johnny Horton, and many others.” Soon thereafter, Doug’s friend Bill Booth turned him on to Buck Owens and Merle Haggard and with the guitars of Don Rich and Ray Nichols on their recordings, he truly became a huge fan of country music. He laughs. “Looking back on it, I would play with some of my Rock & Roll buddies, doing Beatles and Rolling Stones songs and they’d complain that I was too ‘twangy.’ Then I’d overdrive my amplifier a little bit with my country friends and they’d stare at me in disbelief thinking I’d blown my amp up.” Doug worked in the supermarket industry off and on for the next three decades, but always had some sort of music based activity as a sideline, either playing in a band or doing a Mobile DJ Service. “My wife and I both worked full time because we had four little boys to take care of, but as the boys grew older and started leaving the nest, I knew I needed to make a career change, and I knew it would somehow involve music.” He started working for McKay Music in Moline, Illinois in 1999 selling guitars and sound systems. “I thought that this would be a pretty good job to have until I could figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I’ve been in the retail music business ever since.” In 2000, with three of the four boys raised, Doug and his wife Sue moved to the Cedar Rapids area where Sue had started working for an insurance company. “I knew I wanted to stay in the music biz, and I got lucky as West Music Company hired me to be a salesperson in their Marion, Iowa store.” Soon thereafter, Doug became that store’s Combo Department Manager, and in 2006 became their “Combo Team Lead” working with the other West Music stores assisting their combo managers. In 2011, Doug was appointed to West Music’s newly created position of Community Outreach Coordinator. Doug says, “This is a great job for me - - I work with school groups, youth groups, etc. on various tasks involving music programs. I head up programs like ‘Weekend Warriors’ where we get Baby Boomers (that formerly were active in music) involved in playing music again. I work with the planners of local and regional music festivals and assist them wherever possible with assorted tasks. I work with a local Middle School assisting their teacher with an ‘after school’ Garage Band class. I recently developed a program for teens called ‘Rock Steady’ that basically teaches kids how to start a band. If it has to do with creating music makers, or getting people back into playing again - - I’m all over it.” In addition to his duties with West Music, Doug still loves to play in a band. Doug currently plays guitar and shares vocal duties in the Cedar Rapids based Rock & Roll band ‘The VibraCats.’ He’s still active in country music, and occasionally fills in for guitarists or singers in a couple of different area country bands. Ducey is quick to say, “I’ve done a lot of things pertaining to music and entertainment, but getting out and playing in a live band is still my favorite part of it all.” Looking back over the 47 years since he bought his first guitar, Doug Ducey has been involved in many facets of the entertainment Industry. He has: l Been a professional musician and entertainer appearing all over the Midwest. l Worked as a studio musician playing on many recordings. l Managed a talent agency. l Owned and operated a Night Club that featured live music. l Owned and operated a Mobile Disc Jockey Service. l Played in “pit orchestras” for live theatre productions. l Shared the stage as opening acts for country artists like Dierks Bentley, Tanya Tucker, Little Jimmy Dickens, Stone-wall Jackson, Jim Ed Brown and others stars of the Grand Ole Opry. l Opened shows for Rock & Roll legends like Carl Perkins, The Buckinghams and The Grass Roots and others. l Traveled to other parts of the country and the world representing West Music. “I always wanted to make a living through music. I didn’t expect it to be a combination of performing, teaching and retail, but I consider myself extremely lucky. I remember being at a seminar and hearing a motivational speaker tell us that if you work at something you truly love, you really never work another day in your life - - and that’s true,” Doug Ducey says. He is passionate about his role at West Music and helping to create new Music Makers. “Helping kids start out on the guitar of just influencing them to pick up any instrument and learn to play is the most rewarding part of my job. What non players don’t realize is that if you play an instrument, you are never bored - - you always have something to do. And you are never lonely, you always have your music to keep you company.” What was the biggest thrills for Doug? “That’s easy - - that would be meeting Carl Perkins, Scotty Moore, James Burton and DJ Fontana. Carl was a true gen-tleman, and very humble. Burton played in Ricky Nelson’s band and later was Elvis’ guitarist in the 70’s. Scotty and DJ toured with and played with Elvis on all his early recordings, including Hound Dog,“ Doug pauses, then says “Hmmm - - - - - - that’s where this all started for me.”
by Wanda Baird
“The highlights for me,” Doug says, “would have to be traveling to Japan and China with the Yamaha people to tour their guitar and piano factories. The folks at Fender sent me to California and on into Mexico to tour their factories - - such a wonderful learning experience for me to see where these great instruments are made and watch their craftsmen at work. Attending the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) trade shows in Anaheim, California and Nashville was great, too. Being among the first people to see all the new gear was always a cool place to be.”
Looking Back: (From September 2008 issue)
Charlie Daniels
“Truly A Country Gentleman”
by Barbara Hays-Ackley
When Midwest Country News columnist Tanna Reames met Charlie Daniels back-stage the Grand Ole Opry in July, 2007, she returned from Nashville saying (and putting in her column with a photo of herself and Charlie) “he was clearly the favorite performer of the night. He gladly took the time for photos, autographs and to shake the hands of his fans. He is truly a country gentleman.”
August, 2008, Tanna Reames once again met and talked with Charlie Daniels, this time back-stage prior to his show at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia, Mis-souri. Tanna was the one taking pictures this time, a picture of Charlie signing her 7-year-old son Quincy’s fiddle - - and a picture when Charlie surprised Quincy (and Tanna) with one of his very own fiddle bows that he also signed and gave to the little Missouri musician-to-be.
It’s no secret that Charlie Daniels is as much into people as he is into music. His love shows through, no doubt about it, and there’s plenty of stories out there about this man whose bio says “he’s partly Western and partly Southern.”
Just this year, in fact, one story on Charlie originated in the state of Kansas when his show got rained out. Wayne Rouse, general manager for Country Stampede, a 4-day event, had booked Charlie and his band to play on Thursday night of the event. It rained, Charlie and the band didn’t get to perform, but as customary, they got paid anyway and headed to their Saturday show in Chicago, Illinois. Charlie actually called Rouse from Chicago and told him they could come back through there on Sunday to play the concert; after all, they’d been paid, and Charlie (being that country gentleman) obviously wanted to make it right! They left Chicago, drove back to Kansas, and performed the concert. Many, even those out of Nashville, will tell you that this is a rare happening!!
CHARLIE’S EARLIER DAYS
Born in Wilmington, North Carolina, in 1936, Charlie Daniels was raised on music that included Pentecostal gospel, local bluegrass bands, the rhythm and blues and the country music he heard out of Nashville on WLAC and WSM. After graduating from high school in 1955, and already skilled on the guitar, fiddle and mandolin, Charlie Daniels formed a rock n’ roll band, went out on the road and thus the beginning of a career that would take a book to tell it all!
By the time 1976 rolled around, Charlie Daniels had written songs (one that Elvis Presley recorded), was on sessions such as Bob Dylan albums, produced al-bums, toured Europe, and performed on records with artists such as Marty Robbins. His own recorded records were hits, one being 1973’s Honey in the Rock and Uneasy Rider, and in 1975 his collection of songs on Fire On The Mountain went to Double Platinum status. In 1976, then, a contract he signed with Epic Records was the largest ever given to a Nashville act up to that time ($3 million), which paid off for Epic when Charlie recorded The Devil Went Down To Georgia, a song that topped country and pop charts, earned CMA trophies, won a Gram-my Award, was a sound-track for the movie Urban Cowboy, and sent another album to, this time, Triple Platinum sales levels!
As for what Charlie Daniels would say about his success, again - - along comes that true country gentleman when he in all sincerity says that he’s always just tried to be who he is, he’s never followed fads or trends, that he can’t be anybody but himself.
Former President Gerald Ford said, “Charlie’s love of music is only surpassed by his love of people, especially the American people. He’s traveled this land from coast to coast singing about the things that concern the American people.” He made this statement in 1998 when Charlie was named the recipient of the Pioneer Award at the ACM awards ceremonies, an event that also found former President Jimmy Carter speaking.
CHARLIE IN 2008
Charlie Daniels has received numerous awards, but in January, 2008 (just this year), his real dream came true when he was inducted as a member into the Grand Ole Opry. Charlie said, “I have been blessed with Gold, Platinum and Multi-platinum albums, I have appeared many times on network television, even in moving pictures, I have won multiple awards from the CMA, the ACM, The Gospel Music Association and even a Grammy. I have even played on the Grand Ole Opry many times. But I was always on the outside looking in, I was always a guest, never a member.” And he adds, “Ain’t God good!!!!!!!”
As the summer comes to an end, Charlie Daniels will continue traveling, doing his many performances, making appearances, and creating those ‘people stories’ wherever he goes! The Volunteer Jam ended on August 15th in Georgia, but Charlie stays on the road until December (even going to Alaska before year’s end).
The Charlie Daniels Band released Live From Iraq CD on Blue Hat/Koch Records in June, 2007, a two disc set that included 13 songs actually recorded during performances in Iraq (during the band’s Stars for Stripes Tour). At the time of doing the CD, Charlie said, “It is with deep love, admiration, respect and gratitude that I dedicate this project to the men and women who wear the military uniform of The United States of America, past, present and future.”
NEW CD: DEUCES
In October, 2007, it was announced that the Charlie Daniels Band would be releasing a Duets CD that would come out in 2008. The Charlie Daniels Band DEUCES includes 13 duets; those appearing on this new CD, recording songs with Charlie and the band, are Travis Tritt; Bonnie Bramlett; Gretchen Wilson; Vince Gill; Earl, Gary and Randy Scruggs; Dolly Parton; Darius Rucker; The Del McCoury Band; Brenda Lee; Brooks & Dunn; Marty Stuart; Montgomery Gentry, and Brad Paisley.
When 7-year-old Quincy was asked, “What is your favorite song on this new CD?” he quickly replied, “All of them!” Actually he does have two that he likes more than the others: Maggie’s Farm, a duet with Earl, Gary and Randy Scruggs, and Daddy’s Old Fiddle, a duet with Dolly Parton. To him they can’t replace his very favorite Charlie Daniels CD, however, one that he loves listening to: How Sweet The Sound: 25 Favorite Hymns, released in 2001, because that CD, one of three Charlie Daniels CD’s he has in his own collection, features his very favorite Daniels song of all: I’ll Fly Away. (In 1997 Charlie Daniels received Christian Country Artist of the Year from Gospel Voice Magazine and Music City News).
JASON FOUNDATION INC.
When reading through the many awards and honors bestowed upon Charlie Daniels and Band, you will note numerous ones that are child-related, such as when, in 1993, Charlie was named Toys for Tots Man of the Year. In 1997 Charlie & the band’s The Light of the Moon received Parents’ Choice Gold Award, Best of 1997 Child Magazine, and Best of 1997 Sesame Street Parents Magazine. This month, September 23rd, Charlie and his wife will host a benefit in Memphis for the St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Since 2003 Charlie Daniels has opened his heart to The Jason Foundation Inc. with his compassion for the young people of our nation. JFI is proud to have Daniels as an Ambassador and also an honorary chairman of The Phillip Fulmer Golf Classic.
The Jason Foundation Inc. has educated over one million young people with all the help it has provided in the prevention of the ‘Silent Epidemic’ of youth suicide. They have educational and aware-ness programs for young people, parents, educators, and other community members at no cost. With over 55 affiliate offices and over 100 coaches and celebrities as JFI Ambassadors, many are helping with the awareness and prevention of youth suicide (the ‘silent epi-demic’ that, each week, takes approximately 100+ young people in our nation).
THE MUSIC
GOES ON
As Charlie Daniels continued his tour (in August) from the Missouri State Fair, on to Des Moines, Iowa for the Iowa State Fair, 7-year old Quincy Reames remained in Sedalia, Missouri a few days longer for he and his sister Sammie Jo’s 4-H presentations. Named 4-H Clover Kid of the Year in his county last year, Quincy now wanted to give a speech on Charlie and the fiddle at the fair.
Speaking loudly, for his audience to hear, Quincy showed his fiddle, quickly played it as he explained, “I haven’t started lessons so I don’t play too good yet,” then he told them how Charlie Daniels had signed his fiddle. Just as most speakers do, regardless of age, Quincy asked, “Are there any questions?” and of course someone in the audience asked “When did Charlie Daniels sign your fiddle?” Quincy proudly replied, “Two days ago, here at the Fair.”
A picture with Charlie and that special-signed fiddle and bow, a blue ribbon awarded him for his speech on Charlie and the fiddle, what more could a 7-year old ask for? If you ask Quincy, he might just tell you that he wants to grow up and play the fiddle just like Charlie Daniels, a man who is, to all who meet him, a true country gentleman!
July 2007 issue: Front Page Story
Born Blind, With A Severe Cleft Palate, She Sings, Records, Writes, Performs & Will Teach Music
The Sarah Getto Story
by Barbara Hays-Ackley
