Dennis grew up in Moline,
Illinois and started playing the sax and clarinet at the age of
nine. He first played in public when he was twelve and all during
high school played in the marching band and the jazz band. By the
time he was seventeen, he formed his own band “The Vampers” (playing
for dances in different counties) and still keeps in touch with his
fellow musicians to this day.
In his 30’s, he
opened up a night club in Clinton, Iowa and the “Fish Bowl” became
a very popular spot in town until when in 1980 he ventured South to
Florida where he made his home. His day job was with Palmer
Electric in Orlando, however he found himself on stage once again
playing for dances all over the area and became well-known. From
1981 through 1996 he played on Sunday nights at the Orlando Moose
Lodge.
Dotty hails from
Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania and started her piano training at
the age of six and studied the classics for 12 years. However, she
was never very far away from the “swing era” since her Dad at one
time had his own swing band and so her home was always filled with
both swing and classical music. Her mother was a piano and
accordion teacher; Dotty also learned to play the accordion and
organ as well.
She went into the teaching profession
upon graduating from college (Business Education) but after her
children were raised, was offered a job which prompted a move to
Astor, Florida in 1983. She soon found out where the best music was
available and was taken as a guest to the Orlando Moose on a Sunday
night to attend a dance where she met Dennis. After many years had
passed and through the encouragement of Dennis, she found herself
playing again, only this time it was the keyboards. Their first gig
together was with a drummer, and they called themselves “Hudson
Bay”. They still perform as Hudson Bay once or twice a month at the
Orlando Moose.
The “D n D Music
Co” was born in 1998 and is going strong. They play regularly at
the Blackwater Inn in Astor and have many gigs scheduled in the
Central Florida area.
Dotty says that
she is back to her first love—MUSIC—of course, Dennis never left!
They are retired----but busier than ever!!
