L-R:
Keith Haddad (guitar), Larry Campbell
(bass), Tony Biegun (drums), Mike Kuzak
(banjo), Bill Zulak (fiddle)
History of The
Double Eagle Band
It was the summer of 1980 when drummer
Tony Biegun received a phone call from
banjo player Mike Kuzyk to join him,
guitarist Keith Haddad and bass guitarist
Larry Campbell to form a bluegrass group.
They got together and talked about the
direction the band would take. Tony
having played in Las Vegas previously,
suggested that they do a comedy/bluegrass
act as Mike was a real comedian and great
frontman. So the plan was to head to
Vegas. Now, what is a bluegrass band
without a fiddle player? So onboard
came virtuoso fiddle player Bill Zulak.
As time went on the band started getting
local bar gigs and really tightened up
their sets. A local management
company (The Terry Morris Agency) took
them on at this point so the gigs were
becoming more plentiful.
For personal reasons Tony left the band
and on came drummer Ed Dyrda.
George Yourchek, a very close friend of
Mike's was doing sound and lights for the
band. He later joined the boys on
stage on electric guitar and vocals.
Then came sound and light technician James
Houston, who remained with the band
throughout its career.
In 1981 they entered "The DuMaurier Search
For The Stars" national talent contest and
won for best Country Group.
In 1982 bass player Larry Campbell left
the group. Keith Haddad (the only
member from Portage la Prairie) knew of a
great bass player and vocalist, Guy Dyer
(also from Portage). Guy's vocal
added a new sound to the band. They
kept some of the bluegrass flavor and some
of the comedy but now also headed in the
country rock direction.
In 1982, they opened for country giant
Conway Twitty in Morden,Mb., Glen Campbell
at Centennial Concert Hall in Winnipeg,
Mb. and played at Beaver Dam Lake Festival
in McCreary Mb.
The band recorded three singles, "Fiery
Feeling", Pickin' Chicken Music" and "Play
the Ponies"
Again for personal reasons in 1983 Bill
Zulak opted out. This was quite a
blow for the group as Bill's fiddle gave
them quite a unique sound. So, what
to do now.
Guy had previously played in a rock band
with fellow Portage la Prairian,
guitarist/ vocalist, Charlie Brennan,
called "Stardust". Charlie
auditioned and in Aug.,1983 joined the
band. The vocal blend of George, Guy
and Charlie nicely rounded out the vocal
sound of the "Double Eagle Band".
They recorded two more singles "Enough is
Enough" and "Tell Me Again".
The group played as a six piece band for
about a year when banjo player Mike Kuzyk
decided to quit playing and become the
group's road manager. At this point
the band was taken on by Direction Four
Management and the road work became quite
extensive. Concert tours with Conway
Twitty, George Strait, Nitty Gritty Dirt
Band, Ricky Skaggs, also opening for acts
such as Alabama, Stevie Ray Vaughan, The
Gatlin Brothers, Greg Allman Band, Powder
Blues Band and more.
In 1985 Double Eagle Band signed a
recording contract with "Bookshop Records"
from Toronto and recorded their debut
album "Fire On The Prairie" which was
released in Sept., 1986. From this
album they had a #2 nationally charted hit
with "Homegrown" and extensive airplay
with "Glory Train" and "Amie".
Raising families and being on the road
weren't working for Charlie and Ed so in
Nov., 1986 they left the group. They
were replaced with drummer Perry Hopkins
and bass guitarist Paul Kelly, keyboardist
Bart McKay and ended the band's full time
career in 1988.
The Double Eagle Band got back together in
different configurations to do some high
profile gigs in the early nineties and
early two thousands. They never did make
it to Las Vegas but all and all, it was a
very good ride !!!!
