Dennis Gerald's Super-condensed Autobiography

I didn’t “start” in music…I was saturated in it from the beginning. My great-grandfather, who homesteaded the family farm in the 1880’s, was musically inclined and became the local country-church organist and choir director. I was surrounded by my dad and mom (who sang in church choir and duets at funerals), a brother and a truckload of relatives……all talented either vocally or instrumentally. Our prayer of thanks sang around the table at family holiday gatherings was always a major happening.

I graduated from high school in Oldham, SD, and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree (go figure) in Music Education (they didn’t offer an arts degree yet) at South Dakota State University. Later I added a Master of Education Degree in Counseling to my resume’.

I taught music for three years in Minnesota and five years in South Dakota before quitting in 1973 to “hit the road” with my touring show/dance band called The Talismen, which I had performed in since 1963 and owned since 1968. For ten years I toured seven northern plains states with a side trip to Canada before bowing out of the nightclub scene and moving into shows.

I lived in the Black Hills of South Dakota for a number of years, performing in music shows, including “The Mountain Music Show” and “The Miners Music Show”, which I originated. During this time I recorded four albums: “Saxophone Stew”, “ Saxicurian Delights”, “Family Tradition”, and “Route Sixty-Sax”. All four albums featured myself on tenor saxophone and vocals.

My partner, Luella, and I live in a beautiful mountain home at Genesee, CO. I have lived in eastern South Dakota, The Black Hills of South Dakota, and Phoenix, AZ. I love flying, traveling, nature and extended hiking trips in the backcountry. I am a student of western lore and legend. My serious hobby is, of course, my music. In addition to being a instrumentalist and vocalist, I am also an arranger and band leader. I enjoy the ability of being able to hear all four harmony parts simultaneously, so therefore most of my performance is done by ear. I, like most musicians, am also a performer. I peak out when I am at center stage, transposing my heart and soul into notes.