Coupe DeVille

The summer of 1966 was to be the beginning of what was to later be described by "Entertainment Bits" (a Minnesota publication) as "The best 50's & 60's band in Iowa and probably the Midwest."

CoupeDeVille was the brain child of Jim Clark and Bob Coon. While just sophomores at Clinton High School they knew what the future was to bring. After several personnel changes they finally settled on a quintet that consisted of Jim Clark, Bob Coon, Jon Crook, Julie Goldstein and Steve Mckinney. They traveled throughout the Midwest as "The Jon Crook Band" for about four years. While working for Hoffman Talent Agency from the twin cities, it was recommended that they change to a more 50's sounding name. Hence the birth of, CoupeDeVille - "The Cadillac of Rock & Roll".

Soon after the release of their first album in 1984 Julie decided to leave the band to devote more time to her family. She was luickly replaced on keyboard/vocals by Kevin Cox. Jim Clark moved from drummer to out front on lead vocals/percussion and was replaced on drums by Kevin Oppendike. This was to be the start of a run that would last for the next 12 years and the release of two more albums.

They quickly developed a large following and all through the 80's and 90's they were to appear at all the major rock-n-roll shows in eastern Iowa and western Illinois, sharing the stage with such legends as Del Shannon, Bobby Vee, The Crickets, Gary Lewis, The Shirelles, Buddy Knox and Johnny Rivers just to name a few. Playing such legendary ballrooms as the Col, Surf, Laramar, Val Aire, Lakeside, Fairyland and Hollyhock in Minnesota. They were regulars at River Boat Days in Clinton, Pufferbilly Days in Boone, The Worlds Largest Beach Party in Williamsburg and at the Easter Seals shows throughout the state.

Being inducted into The Iowa Rock & Roll Hall of Fame solidifies their efforts to keep the oldies from fading away. Now a 7 piece band consisting of original members Jim Clark, Bob Coon, Jon Crook, Kevin Cox along with new members Greg Hardy on drums, James "Curly" Guilliams on lead guitar and Sandy Kraft adding to the vocals the band still plays today for special events.

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Forte Enterprise

Pelican Peace Band

Originating in the late 1960’s, Pelican Peace Band was the brainchild of Steve Dykmann, Kent Huss and Danny Silvester. Their goal was to play their original music as a power trio. Kent and Steve were the songwriters with Steve singing lead vocals. In October of 1972, they were living in rural Indianola, IA.

Not long after, Danny Silverster departed to join the military and Kent Huss left to pursue his guitar and songwriting studies. Randy Zirbel then joined the band on bass guitar and Danny Nissly became the drummer. This line-up of Steve Dykmann, Randy Zirbel, and Danny Nissly would work together until early 1975. With the music venues changing, the featured places to play were rock clubs. Such places as: Genuine Johns, the Plowboy, Daily Planet, Farquahr’s, The Bank, and the C.O.D. Steam Laundry~ just to name a few. It was on this rock club circuit that the Pelicans honed their skills as musicians and ultimately established themselves as serious artists. Soon they became a well-known rock and roll act across a nine-state area.

As a result of their touring and multi-state exposure, the band was given the opportunity to play with Santana and R.E.O Speedwagon at the Surf Ballroom, opened for Bachman-Turner Overdrive in Omaha, NE and were the opening act for the Iowa Jam on the bill with ZZ Top, Boz Scaggs, and Blue Oyster Cult.

Following a tour of Colorado cities, many in the Denver area, Steve decided to go on sabbatical. The band was reinvented with Kent Huss rejoining the band along with James Priefert both playing guitar and singing vocals. The band added a lead vocalist from Des Moines by the name of Tim Tyler. Kent, Jim and Randy continued to compose the music.

The evolution of the band continued for several years as Steve, Randy, Danny and Jim later became the group Sky Dancer. This reincarnation of the band became as well known as Pelican Peace Band. They continued to tour together until the late ‘70s.

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Milk and Honey

Milk and Honey was formed in western Iowa and has traveled and performed extensively over the last 30 years. The large variety of music styles performed by Milk and Honey makes it possible for the group to entertain audiences of any taste. During 1975, "Have a Nice Day," a regional hit record brought national recognition and popularity to the group, which is still alive today. The band was inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.

The band offers a wide variety of music, including popular songs from the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s. Milk and Honey is continuously adding new and classic songs to their list. Their music gets the crowd involved, and will keep the party going until the end.

Milk and Honey has opened for such national bands as: The Little River Band, REO Speedwagon, America, The Byrds, Gary Lewis, Asleep at the Wheel, and The Association.

Website: http://www.milkandhoneymusic.com/

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