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                      Cummings & Neil Young 1987


THE  DOUBLE  EAGLE  BAND


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HOMEGROWN



The Double Eagle Band

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 !!!!

Charlie Brennan
As posted on the MANITOBA MUSIC MUSEUM FACEBOOK PAGE, October 23, 2020


The Double Eagle Band
The Double Eagle Band

The Double Eagle Band
The Double Eagle Band

The Double Eagle Band

The Double Eagle Band
The Double Eagle Band

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