Save the date! PebbleCreek band The Big Dogs will be performing Sunday, Nov. 12 in the Tuscany Falls Ballroom.
PebbleCreek’s newest party/dance band makes its debut on Sunday, Nov. 12 in the Tuscany Falls Ballroom. After several months of planning and rehearsing, The Big Dogs are ready to do their “tricks” for all their friends and neighbors, playing music to dance to from the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s—Motown, R&B, Pop, Soul, and dance tunes. Their repertoire contains songs from such artists as The Temptations; Van Morrison; Chicago; Kool & The Gang; Earth, Wind & Fire; Tower of Power; Steppenwolf; Huey Lewis; Boz Scaggs; Average White Band; Dr. John; and more.
“We’ve put together the night with songs that folks know and like and that are definitely danceable,” says co-founder Bob Wikstrom, who plays piano and organ, and sings. He had a similar group for 20+ years in the Seattle area playing clubs and casinos. Wikstrom moved to PebbleCreek about three years ago. He teamed up with fellow Washingtonian Brian Wentz, a singer/songwriter who moved to PebbleCreek two years ago, and they went on a search for fellow musicians with similar interests.
Jim Freda on saxophone, originally from Chicago, made the move in 1978. He’s a retired banker, now playing with a number of groups including the PebbleCreek Jazz Combo. Also on saxophone is Mike Perkins, who has played in a handful of community bands throughout the U.S. plus a few jazz ensembles, most recently with the PebbleCreek Big Band. Originally from Iowa, Kim Ballew, guitarist, started playing piano at the age of 5. He also plays organ, mandolin, harmonica, and sings. Jim Ledford, originally from Georgia, is on bass guitar. His background includes playing in a Power Trio band aboard the Nimitz Aircraft Carrier. Doug Harris, the Dogs drummer, came to PebbleCreek four years ago from Nebraska; he’s been playing the drums since he was 10. “I’d like to think of us as a fun band playing fun music that people like to listen to, tap their feet to, and dance to.”
The Nov. 12 show and dance begins at 6 p.m. in the Tuscany Falls Ballroom. So get your groove on, and plan for fun. There’s a $5 cover charge at the door.