(Updated May 18, 2009)
This is the OFFICIAL website of The Mellow D's.
We are Larry and Karen Doran, and we're stayin' busy!
More Exciting News!!
*** On September 19, 2009, we'll be performing two shows at the Midwest Country Music Theater in Sandstone, Minnesota! Narvel Felts will be headlining those shows, and we're thrilled to finally get up there and meet that great Midwest Country Band!
The folks at Midwest Country are adament about keepin' it COUNTRY, and of course that suits us just fine. We're tickled about performing for them, because they broadcast those shows nationwide on the RFD-TV channel.
The RFD-TV folks do a terrific job of supporting classic country music, providing us with another chance to once again enjoy so many of the old shows we loved, like the Porter Wagoner Show, The Wilburn Brothers, Pop Goes the Country, and more.
So this could provide us with the exposure we need to really get our musical adventures underway.We're really excited about it, and looking forward to having a great time! Besides, it gives us a great excuse to do some sight-seeing up there.
*** And in June, we'll be performing at the Double D Ranch in Ashland, Nebraska! On Saturday, June 20th we'll be presenting one of our Classic Country shows, featuring country music from the true superstars of country!
Then on Sunday June 21st, we'll be presenting one of our Country Gospel celebrations.
As always, we plan to have a great time sharing our music and off-beat humor with you.
Tickets are on sale now! Reservations are required because they do have limited seating. To make reservations, just check out their web site at: www.doubledranch.net
We are really excited about performing there because it's a terrific venue operated by friendly folks, and because they love good old fashioned down-home country and cowboy fun!
The Double D Ranch is the real thing, a beautiful ranch in the gentle rolling hills just North of Ashland, Nebraska. They provide a terrific chuckwagon supper and live music music show from June through August. Then in December, they bring in our friends, Jim and Jeannie Martin (the Rockin' M Wranglers) for a spectacular cowboy Christmas show!
Other performers throughout the season include Michael Martin Murphey, Roy Rogers Jr. and the High Riders, Rex Allen Jr., The Rockin' M Wranglers, Juni Fischer, Bill Barwick, The Benders, Judy Coder, Cowboy Brad & Kathy Fitch, the Yampa Valley Boys, The Diamond W Wranglers and the Riders for the Cross.
There's also a talented gunfighter portrayal group, Wild West Creations in authentic western garb. Some of their rowdy members are frequently tempted to hold up the train (did I mention they have train tours of the ranch?), while some of the more decent defenders of the territory try to prevent it.
In addition, the antique western decor is reminiscent of the days when Gunsmoke, Wagon Train, Paladin, Wyatt Earp, and many other good old TV Westerns were entertaining us all on TV.
For a terrific evening out with a great meal and live music, don't miss the opportunity to enjoy what the Double D Ranch has to offer!
Our music page now contains some award-winning original song samples, and news about our album, "For God, Family, Country". It's our fourth release, and the response to it has been terrific.
And we've finally completed our next album, "Howdy! From the Mellow D's" It's got some great classic tunes on it, and more of my original work. I'll get more info and some samples loaded soon.
Next, we'll be working on a Christmas album (no, really, we do plan to have it done before Christmas!)
And we've got some of the songs ready for a classic rock album, featuring songs by Buddy Holly, the Everly Brothers, and the like.
For those who are new to this site, we are Larry & Karen Doran, “The Mellow D’s”. Since our last name begins with the letter “D” and we do perform in a mellow manner, “The Mellow D’s” was the only logical choice for our group name! And if you say it fast, it sounds like “melodies” which is a pretty good tag for a couple of musical entertainers.
Thanks to a man who gave me a guitar when I was seven years old, I’ve had a love for music all my life. I’ve developed a unique and distinctive method of playing guitar, but my real passion is for singing.
Karen kept her talent for harmony well hidden until just a few years ago. She says, “I knew if you found out, you’d drag me on stage in front of a lot of people!” Well, I did find out, and she was right. She has now developed into a poised and professional entertainer, as well as a terrific singer. I am SO proud of her!
Karen’s real passion is for live theatre, and I’m a big enough ham to be one of her actors. In return, she agreed to sing beautiful harmony to complete The Mellow D’s!
Our biggest accomplishment so far was being inducted into America’s Old-Time Country Music Hall of Fame in August, 2006! Jerry Havemann, my good friend and lead guitarist from our 1963 band “The Casuals”, drove across country to witness the event, which made it even more personal and special. Wow! We’ve won numerous other awards for our talent, and you can review those in the pages that follow.
We are just plain excited about the doors that have opened for us and the opportunities presented to us. Playing and singing country music is a passion for us!
If you're looking for a pleasant performance with a good dose of good clean family fun, we are just what you're looking for. We can tailor our performances to Traditional Country, Classic Country, 50's Rock and Roll, Camp-meetin' Gospel, Country Gospel, or any combination of those styles of music.
Tappin' toes, clappin' hands, and smilin' faces, that's how we like our audiences!
Check out our other pages for our schedule, pictures, and music samples!
Here's our contact information if you'd like to obtain booking information, rates, etc. We like hearing from you!
The Mellow D's
Larry and Karen Doran
Box 218
McCool Junction, NE 68401
Home: (402) 724-3151
Cell: (402) 724-2474
larry@themellowds.com
karen@themellowds.com
