![]() How can anyone feel sad when the band plays the Everly Brothers’ “Bye Bye, Love”? What is it about music, I wonder, that makes people so happy? Even sad songs like “Heartaches by the Number” (Ray Price) and “Crying Time” (Buck Owens). Those not dancing sit, listen, sip drinks, eat thickly frosted Valentine cupcakes and visit quietly with friends. Music seems to make people smile, including the man wearing the Vietnam Vet cap who is dancing with a woman in an animal print shirt. ![]() ![]() The second song, “A Sad Day to Be You” by the Cactus Blossoms, brings more couples onto the dance floor. Most of the songs on Dennis’s chart are love-themed for this pre-Valentine’s Day show. Today Dennis’ bandmates include Jim Cortese on drums, Carol Kilian on accordion, Shorty Schmidt on lead guitar, Fred Ambuehl on bass and Vickie Ambuehl on vocals.ĭennis and Friends kick it off with Merle Haggard’s “Rambling Fever,” but this crowd doesn’t appear to want to ramble right now, except maybe to the dancefloor, a space between the musicians and the guests that Dennis pointed out prior to this first song.īefore “Rambling Fever” ends, a man in a Dondelinger cap leads a lady in pink onto the dance floor, and in no time, they are smiling and two-stepping to Merle’s tune– an inspiration to others to join in. This is the first time these six musicians have performed together, but all have played in various groupings at Thursday jam sessions here. Outside, the sun is shining as people go about their daily routines, unaware that they’re missing out on two hours of uninterrupted foot-tapping, dance-inspiring, fun-loving, smile-provoking, dopamine-producing music. ![]() On the day before Valentine’s Day at Bemidji’s Senior Center, I count about 70 to 80 people who have come to hear Dennis Doeden and Friends at 1 p.m. ![]()
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