Island Steel Drums

About

Dave's musical career started early in life when he played as a drummer in rock and roll bands in the Midwest. In the early 90’s he bought his first steel drum. He started playing in a two piece island music band in the Minnesota lakes area, “Island Time”.

In 1999 his wife and he moved onto their sailboat in the Florida Keys and while cruising, Dave played steel drum in many tiki bars up and down the coasts of Florida.

In December of 2001 they stopped in Key West and lived in the Key West area full time until 2010 when they again started spending summers in Minnesota. Winters are still spent in the Florida Keys, and Dave travels throughout the Keys (and into Mainland FL) for performances.

Dave started playing steel drum at weddings in Key West shortly after arriving in there. He's played weddings on Smather's Beach, Ft. Taylor Beach, along with many of the popular wedding venues in Key West, and Dave has worked with many of the local wedding planners.

Dave also performs solo for corporate events and private parties. He performs many of the island standards, along with a few Buffett tunes. He can get a group up dancing performing the likes of Zac Brown Band, UB40, and other contemporary artists.

Dave has performed live on the CBS Early Show with Dave Price, on Good Morning America with Sam Champion, on the NBC Today Show with Al Roker and Matt Lauer, and filmed with Samantha Brown of the Travel Channel which aired in August 2009. Dave also performed on Christmas Day on the Weather Channel's Guaranteed White Christmas - when the Weather Channel brought a snow making machine to the Florida Keys and made it snow for Christmas day!!

Dave was nominated for TRMA Musician of the Year in 2008, 2009 and 2010 for the annual Trop Rock Music Awards. In 2009 at the Trop Rock Music Awards, the band Dave performed with received awards for "Band of the Year, Song of the Year (I'm Living On An Island), CD/Album of the Year (I'm Living On An Island), and Entertainer of the Year. In 2010 the same band, with Dave performing, won Entertainer of the Year and Band of the Year. Dave has performed on stage with Mile Marker 24 Band for audiences of thousands as the headliner band during Jimmy Buffett's annual fan club convention, Meeting of the Minds in 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010.

Dave now headquarters out of Detroit Lakes Minnesota and continues to spend his winters in Florida. He has played for over 300 weddings in the last few years, and dozens of private and corporate events. Dave also has his duo "Island Time" available for private parties, fairs, and festivals. He pairs up with a guitar player and adds some Beach Boys, Frankie Valli, and other well known beach songs to the repertoire.

Dave also performs at fairs and festivals. He is a member of the Florida Federation of Fairs and the Minnesota Federation of County Fairs. His performance is great for families and kids. He always keep the kids entertained by including them in his show. He brings props (beach balls, shakers, drums, inflatable instruments, beads, leis, etc.) for the kids to use and often will be seen leading hula hoop contests, conga lines, or other games. His ability to keep the children entertained is appreciated by the parents.

Dave often performs at senior housing facilities - nursing homes and assisted living facilities - where his show is about 45 minutes in length and is a 'virtual' cruise. Dave takes the seniors away to the different islands and performs songs from those islands - often having the seniors singing along to such tunes as MaryAnn or Jumpin' The Line.

Dave can perform background steel drum music for a dinner party, or involve the audience with adult humor/innuendo performing songs like 'Big Bamboo' or 'Viagra'. Of course his performance is based on the audience and he always keep the tone appropriate for the occasion.

Whether your event is adults only, families, or a kids birthday party - bringing in the island atmosphere always adds fun and sun! The sounds of the Caribbean steel drum are the sounds that smiles are made of!

Dave is aware that musical ability is not the only component of an entertainer. Although he has plenty of talent, Dave's attitude and professionalism is what has brought him back time and again to the stages of festivals and fairs!

Email Dave today (dave@islandsteeldrums.com) for a sampler CD or a promotional DVD. See for yourself the show that keeps your audience involved!

Personnel

Dave Herzog: lead steel drums, vocals, percussion

What to Expect

WEDDINGS:
As a solo performer I can play acoustically, which is normally requested for a wedding ceremony. I often add bass and drum tracks for small receptions and private parties, which creates a full sound without adding more cost.

I can perform as elegant background music for your tropical event, or I can get the crowd involved with tropical dance music (Hot, Hot, Hot; Shake Senora; Stir It Up). I am very good at reading the crowd and can respond to what they desire.

I've also done wedding receptions where I will play live for the cocktail hour and possibly the dinner hour, but then the young guests want to dance to their own music so they supply an iPod with the music they want for their dance - and they can play it through my PA system - eliminating the cost of a DJ to 'spin' their music.

FAIRS/FESTIVALS
My duo, Island Time Band, performs at fairs and festivals throughout the US. In addition to my steel drum/vocals I add a guitar player, vocals, and a set of tenor steel drums. We have a vast repertoire which includes island tunes, beach music, and some oldies. We can keep all kinds of audiences entertained. Check out the link to 'duo' on my website.

Corporate/Private Events and Parties
Depending on the event, I can perform either solo, or bring in my duo.

You can call me for more details about the different types of performances that I can arrange. You can email directly at dave@islandsteeldrums.com

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