Bands & Orchestras That Play In Iowa - iowadance.com
page updated Feb 7, 2012
• 8 Seconds--w/Mike Flack--Cedar Rapids, IA, Country; 319-213-1108

• 50 Pound Rooster-- Bellvue, IA, Variety

• Amarillo--Mt. Pleasant, IA; Byron (319) 385-7662 or Mark (319) 385-2109. Traditional and Top 40 Country

• Ashanti--Pella, Iowa, (641) 627-5800. One of the Midwest's hottest Latin jazz groups, Ashanti is a professional and polished 6-piece combo with a distinctively wide-ranging repertoire.

• Average@Best--North Central Iowa, mostly 80’s Rock, some 70’s, 90’s and today; contact Danielle at 515-320-4204

• Back Home Boys-- Earlville, Iowa - High Energy Country Rock

• Backwater--Guttenberg IA, high energy, danceable music of the 50’s-80’s; Steve Dikkers, 563-252-2181 or 563-252-3717

• Banjoy--10693 338th Avenue, North English, IA 52316; (319) 639-2441. Bob and Kristie Black have bluegrass roots going straight back to Bill Monroe, the 'Father of Bluegrass Music'

• Barrelhouse Rockets--Winterset, IA, Rockabilly, Americana, Roots

• BB & The Bullfrogs--Spirit Lake, IA, youngest Oldies Band in Northwest Iowa; (712)-330-5996 or (712)-330-4257

• Beauchamp, Jerry--P.O. Box 177, Crawfordsville, Iowa 52621, (319) 658-2571

• Beaver, Lyle--232 Paddock Circle, Iowa City, Iowa 52240, (641) 338-7441

• Becky & The Ivanhoe Dutchmen--Becky Livermore, 1257 Ivanhoe Rd, Mt Vernon, IA 52314-9667, (319) 848-7133 or (877) 499-7133 Toll Free. Polka.

• Betty & the Headlights--Dubuque, IA; Tom Brenner (563) 556-5843

• Big Ben & the Brian’s Concertina Band--Brian Klouse, 57960 150th ST, Rose Creek, MN; (507) 325-4550

• Black Diamond--209 Hilltop Road SW, Swisher, Iowa, (319) 430-5048 or (319) 857-4771. Country

• Blue Band--Bob Dorr, PO Box 14, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613, (319) 277-4007 or 641-396-2086

• Blue Collar Band--Quad Cities area; (309) 764-2639. Classic Rock

• Blue Suede Cruze--NE IA, playing 50's & 60's Classics and a little Rockabilly just for kicks!

• Box Brothers--Ames, IA. Plays a variety of R&B, soul, and classic rock from the 1960's through 1990's. We formed in 1997 and strive to provide the highest quality entertainment possible for dancing and listening.

• Everett Boyer--3591 Vine Ave Plymouth, IA 50464; (641) 423-7785 or (641) 696-5573

• Brown, Jason--Des Moines, IA; Country

• Buck Hollow--P.O. Box 103, Decorah, Iowa 52101, 319-382-8886

• Buhr, Frank--1448 71st Street, Keystone, Iowa 52249, 641-442-3768

• Chocolate Crackers--Clarksville, IA

• Cliff Hanger--Cedar Rapids/Evansdale/Waterloo, 319-373-5364

• Clutterbilly--Madrid, IA; Chris Hoyle, 515-795-2555

• Common Ground--Box 54, Clarksville, Iowa, 641-823-5944. Country.

• Country Ramblers--Central Iowa, Ray Muniz at 515-282-7159, cell# 515-991-1298 or Don Armstrong at 515- 263-0041, cell# 515-229-3465

• Country Linemen--Eastern Iowa--Country Rock, Country, Do-Wop, 50-60-70's Rock--Our group of 5 guys will have the guests dancing in their seats and rocking the dance floor to our brand of country rock, country, 50-60-70's rock and do-wop. No dance partner? No problem! We also offer free line dance lessons upon request. We'd love to have you hear us live. Do a google search for the County Linemen facebook page for opportunities to hear us live. If you have any questions or if you are ready to book us, don't hesitate to contact us by email at countylinemen@hotmail.com or call us at 319-393-1806.

• Country Roads--NE Iowa, Lamont, classic country, bluegrass, 50s/60s classic rock; David or Anna Garlow, 319-634-3459

• Country Tradition--Russ Hayward, Miles, IA; (563) 357-1849

• Countryside--Des Moines; (515) 988-5449

• County Road--Northeast IA, Country/Rock

• Coupe DeVille--Quad Cities. R&R. Since 1966. 2001 Inductees to the Iowa Rock 'n Roll Music Assoc. Hall of Fame.

• Cowpunk--e-mail--Larry Viers

• Coyote w/Mike Gross--Grinnell, IA--641-236-6443 or e-mail greatone@mchsi.com

• Crystal Blue--Central Iowa Country band

• Danny and the Dreamers--Central Iowa, 50's.60's and 70's Rock & Roll.

• D.Anthony Big Band--Iowa City, IA. Big band dance standards of the late 30s thru the early 50s.

• Deliverance--Eastern Iowa, Country, Blues & Classic Rock; Darryl Gilbert, Wilton, IA 52778; 563-320-2185; e-mail (bigds@netins.net)

• Dighton, Kirk--Walker, IA; 319-551-8492. Western Swing.

• Douglas Acres--Des Moines, IA, Southern Rock/Country/Rock

• Duffee, Josh--Davenport, IA--Big Band

• Dynaflows--Waterloo, IA, Blues, R&B, Classic Rock

• Easy Does It--Waterloo, Cindy or Mark at 319-236-2250, plus DJ and Karaoke services.

• Echo's V--Rick Breuss, 5409 Pleasant Street, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266; 515-285-3505. Since 1965, playing 50s/60s/70s R&R. 1998 Inductees to the Iowa Rock 'n Roll Music Assoc. Hall of Fame.

• Eight Track Band--PO Box 155, Newton, Iowa 50208, 515-792-5556

• Electric Mule--Cedar Rapids/Iowa City; Mike: (319) 390-0122

• Embers--Sioux City, IA area, 50’s, 60’s & 70’s Rock-n-Roll, country and country rock; (712) 276-4939 or (712) 233-1165

• Endless Summer--NE Iowa, R&R

• Escorts/The Do's and Don'ts--Cedar Rapids, IA, 319-848-4913. 1997 Inductees to the Iowa Rock 'n Roll Music Assoc. Hall of Fame.

• Exit 113--Van Meter, IA--musicians ranging in age from 16 to 47 and our genre is mostly 50’s and 60’s rock and roll. As you will see by our play list we also do a little country, swing, more recent rock and an original or two. Bob Long 515-307-6877 or 515-253-0373 or Jill Anderson 515 720-5596 or 515-996-9294.

• Fatcat--Waterloo, IA--Influenced by a diversity of styles, have formed a distinctive sound gravitating towards "Blues Rock" adding flavor to the classics

• Flipside--Des Moines, IA

• Fortes--Southwestern Iowa/Eastern Nebraska. 2004 Inductees to the Iowa Rock 'n Roll Music Assoc. Hall of Fame.

• Freestyle--energetic quintet of talented professional musicians from the Des Moines area. Each member's experience contributes to the group's broad musical background performing in dance and night club groups, cabaret jazz, show bands and appearing in shows with national concert artists from Dionne Warwick to country's Sawyer Brown to rock legend Little Richard......we've done it all!

• FunkDaddies--Iowa City, IA. Five piece funk/soul/R & B; (319) 338-2377

• Godfredsen, Al Orchestra--304 390th Street, Armstrong, Iowa 50514, (515) 272-4393

• Goode, Maurie/The Country Gentlemen--e-mail--700 W. Ashland, Indianola, Iowa; (515) 961-6446. Country classic, old pop tunes. Maurie was a 2004 Inductees into the National Traditional Country Music Assoc. Hall Of Fame.

• Grand Junction--Ames, IA--rock and a touch of country from the 60's- today

• Greenbrier--Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Matthew Kane, 319-521-7811

• GTO (Good Time Oldies)--Pat Clayton, 2421 Park Drive, West Des Moines, IA 50265; (515) 225-7142 (home), (515) 988-9385 (cell)

• Hall, Tami/The Regulators--country, southwest IA

• Handling, Jennifer & Revolution--Ottumwa, IA, playing variety of Top 40 Country, Classic rock, Southern rock, Blues, and originals.  Jim Jones : (641-799-1293) or Jen Handling: (641-680-5972)

• Heartbeats--Des Moines, IA. Five piece variety dance band playing classic rock, blues, and a wide variety of danceable music from the 60's to the present.

• Hard Barney--”Eastern Iowa’s Legendary Rock and Roll Band”

• High Noon--Maquoketa, IA--590-8473 or 678-2739

• High Society Big Band--Central Iowa; Jon Jero, 515-473-0589; (highsocietybigband@yahoo.com); a 16-piece big band including group and solo vocals, recreates the swinging jazz sounds of the big band era, performing compositions that span an entire century of music, including classics made famous by Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Stan Kenton, Harry James and Tommy & Jimmy Dorsey.

• Highway 34 Band--e-mail--Ottumwa, IA; Jim Jones, phone 641-682-0943, cell# 641-799-1293 or cell # 515-971-0276. Variety band playing old country, new country, 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, 90,s rock and some blues.

• Hold On--Des Moines, IA. Rock n' Roll

• Horsin' Around--Jeff Peil, 14479 Universal Drive, Dubuque, IA 52003; (563) 583-1811. Country

• Howe, Dani Lynn--Quad Cities,we play a great mix of new country and classic rock, appealing to a wide variety of people and very dance-able.

• Hundred Proof--50's-90's rock with a little new rock, country and blues. Everything from mild to wild!!! Booking for 2010 and 2011.

• Jammer--Mark, 563-652-6587. Classic and modern rock.

• Jefferson County Green Band--Fairfield, IA

• Landin, Al--Boone, IA--reformulation of the, "Last Polka Band" that was popular in Iowa from about 1985 to 1993

• Large Midgets--Cedar Rapids, (319) 298-9495 or (319) 390-8714

• Last Shades of Dawn--Des Moines, IA; (515) 243-6649 or (515) 287-7215. 2003 Inductees to the Iowa Rock 'n Roll Music Assoc. Hall of Fame.

• Lee, Richie & The Fabulous 50s--Des Moines, IA

• Legends w/Dale Sweet--Monona, IA, Traditional Country

• Lockren--Waterloo, IA area; Top 40 Country and Classic Rock

• Lone Travelers--Western Iowa Country Duet

• Lonesome Fugitive--Des Moines, IA, Country (http://www.lonesomefugitive.com)

• Longtin, Wayne & SideTracks--Le Mars, IA, four piece country dance band

• Loose Neutral--Marshalltown, IA. Top 40 Classic Rock

• Lost Highway--Cedar Rapids, Country & Rock; Dennis at (319-624-2872) or (319-558-6960)

• Lumbard, Rob--Des Moines, IA; Blues/Folk

* Magnetos--Cedar Rapids, IA, Rock & Roll

• Malek's Fishermen--Garner, IA, plays a wide range of dance music that includes Country, Big Band, and Dixieland as well as Polkas, Waltzes, Schottisches and more

• Mark & Len--Mark Johnson and Len Bakken singing Todays best Country music

• Martin, Bill Group--Central Iowa, Musical trio playing a variety of music. Multi instrumentalists playing piano, bass, guitar, violin, trumpets and drums, as well as vocals. Great for wedding receptions, dinners, dancing. Audio examples and photos available on our website.

• Mel's Polka Stars--Rt. 1, Box 38, Chester, Iowa 52134, (507) 937-3428

• Memory Brothers--Doug Koempel, 103 Lincoln Drive, West Union, Iowa 52175, (563) 422-5677

• Midnight Blue--Country--Lori King, 641-799-1442 or email us at dbarn@netins.net

• Mighty Nish--Council Bluffs, IA--high energy rock band whose unique sound comes from their ability to mix popular songs from the 50’s to the present with powerful four part harmonies

• Milk & Honey--Cedar Falls, Iowa. Offers a wide variety of music, including popular songs from the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s. Milk and Honey is continuously adding new and classic songs to their list. 2004 Inductees into the Iowa Rock 'n Roll Music Associasion Hall of Fame.

• Mutiny In The Parlor--Iowa City, IA--jazz and parlor tunes from the 1920s and 30s

• New Venue Big Band--1310 Pine Street, Iowa City, Iowa 52240; Saul Lubaroff, Booking Agent (319) 351-4525, cell# (319) 936-6859

• Nolan, Bob--Variety Music--SE Iowa, since 1965, formerly of “Nolan & Tuttle.” Solo act with computer enhanced keyboard; jazz standards to contemporary; (319) 868-7814.

• One 80--Eastern Iowa Classic Rock Band, (563) 423-5402

• One Nite Stand--Smooth Jazz/R&B/Dance band from Des Moines, IA. Scott Willsey (515) 360-3851

• Orlin Lee  and Tried & True Country--So/Central IA--641-414-2291--classic country with a little bit of older rockn’roll and maybe a polka or two

• Orquesta Alto Maiz--Eastern Iowa, Tom Barry, (319) 273 6366

• Other Band--North Central, Northeast IA, Standards, Country, 50's-70's Rock and Roll

• Past Masters--Eastern IA--60s/70s rock

• Paulsen, Ken Orchestra--2714 N. Gayman St, Davenport, Iowa 52804; (319) 391-2519. Big Band, Ballroom. Plays the big band music in the Miller, Morgan, Lombardo, and Welk manner.

• Pierson, Rod--Big Band--3426 Twin Lake View Dr NE, North Liberty, IA 52317-9337 (319) 626-3836) or (319-530-0479)

• Pink Catillacs--w/Arite Mentz--Dubuque, IA, Oldies

• Polyester Blend--Eastern Iowa (319-431-1567)  (polyesterblend@yahoo.com)

• Prairie Lightening--Country--Dennis Burgess, (641) 751-5235 or (641) 498-7446

• Prairie Trail Bluegrass--Five piece bluegrass, gospel and old country; Connie Johnson, 650 Latrobe Ave, McCallsburg, IA 50154; home - (515) 434-2255 or winter - (956) 330-3881

• Puddin' Truck--Waterloo/Cedar Falls, Rick Oltman, (319) 233-4365, (puddin_truck@yahoo.com). A four piece variety dance band.

• PV & The Phantoms--Charles City, IA; (641) 228-4672

• Ramblin' Fever--Todd Smith, 319-558-9971 or Big Drtina, (319) 389-1980

• Rearview--Central IA, Steve Lash, 515-709-0006

• Red Rose Ramblers--McGregor, IA

• Reutzel, Erv--e-mail--1338 3rd Avenue, #105, Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501, 515-573-3932 (Apr thru Oct).

• Rhythm Kings--SW IA--Classic Rock/Country

• Rivieras--Des Moines, IA; Classic 50's & 60's. For booking call (319) 266-9039 or (319) 296-5859

• RoadHouse--Sioux City Area, Tony Newby, (712) 239-9915. Come and enjoy their versatility.......from 50's, 60's and 70's rock and roll to todays lastest pop and country...all with a dash of humor that only RoadHouse can provide

• Rock & Soul Groovers--Opus One Music, Box 1444, Iowa City, Iowa 52244. Phone (319) 337-6364. Vintage Rock & Roll, Soul, and Blues.

• Rock'n Flames--Southeast Iowa, country/rock, James P. Moore, What Cheer, IA; (641) 634-2550

• Robuck, Allan--Central IA. Elvis Experience (641-891-0510)

• RoughStock--Cedar Rapids area country band

• Route 66--Dave Elliott, The Music Shop, 831 Broad St., Grinnell, IA 50112; phone 641-236-5980, email musicshop@mchsi.com

• Rumbles--River City Entertainment, 225 S 35th St, Council Bluffs IA 51501; (712) 322-4858 or (402) 978-8794

• Shepherd, Bill--Big Band--Cedar Falls, IA

• Salamagundi--Todd Partridge (712) 830-6118. We play a nice variety of dancing and drinking music. From 50's rock n' roll to current hits. 4 piece lineup including, drums, bass, guitar and Keyboard.

• Saucy Jack--Party/Rock Band

• Sentimental Swing Big Band--Tom Steinkoenig, 1644 220th Street, Fort Dodge, IA 50501; (515) 573-3007

• Shaffer, Douglas--e-mail--Janesville, IA, Keyboards and percussion listed as a soloist. cell at 319-610-4249

• Shake Rattle & Roll--Iowa Falls, IA

• Shirley's Big Band Sound--Ashton, IA--e-mail--Shirley Brandt; I play mostly the big band style old standards, but also play some CW, rock, Latin, old-time upon request. Generally, I play alone, using two keyboards and a pocket trumpet, but occasionally use a second person when it is requested.

• Soul Searchers--Des Moines, IA; blues

• Sounds Of Nashville--NE Iowa--e-mail--

• Split Second--Des Moines--50s-80s Rock and Roll--have been performing in Central Iowa for over 20 years. All three members are 3/4 of the original Danny & The Dreamers of the 1990's.

• Standing Hampton--high energy rock, Des Moines based quintet

• Stampede--Eastern Iowa, 5 piece high energy country/rock band; (319) 334-4449

• Steenbock Freddie--2039 N. Linwood Ave, Davenport, IA; (563) 322-5489. "Music For All Occasions" Birthdays & Anniversaries; Fox Trots, Waltz, Polka, Western Swing, German-American

• Stingray--North Iowa, 712-836-2368 or 515-295-7339; north Iowa based band playing the finest in 50s, 60s & 70 Rock n Roll

• Stuck In Reverse--Des Moines, IA; country, classic rock, 60s to 80s; 515-419-9536

• Swamp Cats--Manchester, IA, Blues That Rocks

• T-Tops--e-mail--Iowa City area, Dean G Kirby, 319-626-5558 Days, 319-627-4327 eve, and 319-400-3125 cel; three piece band playing classic rock, and blues.

• Tailfins--Davenport, IA. Classic Rock 50's - 80's

• Thomas, Dale--Box 366, West Branch, Iowa 52358, 319-643-2220. Formed in 1956 as Dale Thomas and the Bandera Boys, the Dale Thomas Band plays western swing and other dance music in eastern Iowa and western Illinois. (Dale Thomas and his old band, The Bandera Boys, inducted into the Iowa Rock N Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.)

• Thunderbirds--Southwest IA--Steve Brown, Bedford, IA; H - 712-523-3234 or Cell - 712-249-5588 or Stan Brown, Lenox, IA; H - 641-333-4387 or Cell - 515-491-0473; 2006 Inductiees into the Iowa Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame

• Toe Tappers--Joe Sweeney, Day (563) 382-4577 or Nite (563) 568-3377

• Traidmarx, The Fabulous--Dennis Johnson, (515) 224-0316; '60's horn band, back together after 31 years, from northwest Iowa. 2001 Inductees into the Iowa Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame and have continued to play since.

• Uniques, The Fabulous--Central Iowa, Kirk (515) 379-2327 or Tim (515) 964-7287

• Valdez, Tony--Central Iowa, Latin

• Wailing Big Band--Shelby, IA--13 musician band performing the standards and classics. All dance styles and tempos. Serving ballrooms, anniversarys, receptions, corporate functions, theater backup, birthdays, and special events. Organized in 1985. References. Contact Denny at (712) 544 2017.

• Welsh, Al--Orchestra--Denny Anderson, PO Box 24, Rockwell City, IA 50579; 712-297-7795. 7 to 9 piece band playing music of the big bands as well as dance hits of the '30s, '40s, & '50s.

• Wessels, Jack E.-- Wilton, IA, R&B/Blues/Jam

• Whisky River--Clinton Area Country-Classic Rock N Roll Band. Rick Tomman, 563-503-0350. (ricktomman@yahoo.com)

• Wichita--e-mail--Lefty Schrage, 229 S. Walnut, West Union, Iowa 52175, 563-422-3293

• WildCard--Cedar Valley Country band playing a great mix of today's country, classic country and a shot of classic rock.


Bands and Orchestras from Across the Border who sometimes play in Iowa

Illinois - - -

• Legends--NW Illinois--50s/60s/70s Rock’n Roll

• Morgan, Russ--Orchestra with Jack Morgan--P.O. Box 218, Rapids City, IL 61278

• Southern Cross--Based in Peoria, IL, 309) 693-7020 (Josh) or (309) 248-7750 (Kevin). Their musical selections are varied, ranging from honky-tonk classics to top-40 country hits, with a few countrified rockers to keep the crowd on the dance floor.

• Smolen, Ron--Orchestra--P.O. BOX 346152, Chicago, Illinois 60634; (773) 545-1881. Serving Illinois and the Mid-West for 30 years.

• Take 2--NW Illinois

• Truesdells--Brien Prenevost, 700 Dilenbeck Drive, Geneseo, IL. 61254; (309) 944-4432

Minnesota - - -

• Busta, Jim--Box 525. Spring Grove, MN 55974; (507) 498-5896

• DC Drifters--Austin, MN; Denny Charnecki (507) 437-6968; since 1963, variety band, very well known for their 50's & 60's music, but also perform classic country, new country and classic rock

• Fulda Area Big Band-- SW Minnesota, 16 piece big band playing all the top swing charts of the big band era. Contact is Mike Peterson at 507-425-2342.

• Jensen, Sammy Orchestra--PO Box 516, Marshall, Minnesota 56258, 507-532-3665 or 507-532-3998

• Nova, Molly--The Hawk--Nestling Park Productions, %Molly Nova, PO Box 34044, Minneapolis, Minnesota 5403-8044

• Murphy Brothers Band--Steve Murphy, 133 Rose Street, Mankato, MN 56001; (507) 625-5734. Southern Minnesota's TOP Variety Band.

• Riggs, Don--Big Band--Don and Lois Riedler, 2370 County Road B, Roseville, MN, 651-633-0778

• Jack Shultz--402 East Main, Ceylon, MN, 56121; (507) 632-4412

• Starfire--SW Minnesota, plays the very best of 50s/60s nostalgic rock and roll

• Von Ax, C.W.- Hwy 3--Caledonia, MN; 507-450-1246

• Wendinger, Peter & Paul--38483 631st Street, New Ulm, MN 56073, 507-359-3111. Polka.

• WhiteSideWalls--Minnesota, 50s/60s R&R; 612-240-4281

Nebraska - - -

• Boyce, Barry--Omaha, NE, variety of ethnic music featuring old-time German, Czech and Polish polkas and waltzes with English lyrics. The band also performs a variety of fox-trots at their engagements.

• Chrastil, Bill--the Many Performances of; (402) 498-9700

• FortyTwenty--Lincoln, NE, (402) 304-6041

• Layne, Bobby--Orchestra--6600 West "O" Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68528, 402-475-4030 or 402-430-9330. Big Band, Ballroom. 1998 National Band Leader of The Year.

• Lynn, Lonny--Orchestra--1183 County Road 1, Ithaca, Nebraska, 68033, 402-624-2099. The Lonny Lynn Orchestra is a local ballroom dance band - playing music from the 30's and 40's with some Country music and Latin. The band has been entertaining dancers in the midwest for over 15 years!--Lumbard, Rob--Des Moines, IA; Blues/Folk

• Prairie Cats--Omaha, NE, 8 piece, pop/swing, jump/blues, big band, rockabilly latin & bop; 402-556-2027

• Spevak, Greg--Big Band--Fremont, NE

Wisconsin - - -

• Vic Ferrari--Wisconsin, variety

• Garber, Jan--Orchestra--Howard Schneider, 1523 Fond du lac Avenue, Kewaskum, WI 53040; (262) 626-1600

• Goodtime Dutchmen--Ralph Thull, 2479 County Road H, Kewaskum, WI 53040; (262) 338-6308

• Herman, Ryan--N42351 County Road O, Osseo, WI 54758; 715-694-2106; (email: rjherman@hotmail.com)

• Karl & The Country Dutchmen--P.O. Box 31, Trempealeau, Wisconsin 54661, 608-534-7450

• Kilian, Ken--Platteville, Wisconsin, 888-4SAXTET or 608-348-3748.

• Maggie Mae--Oxford, WI, country

• Ridgeland Dutchmen--Sparta, WI; (608)269-2065 or (608)343-1317

• Tim/Floppy Cowboys--DeSoto, WI--One Man Band, Top40/Rockin' Country; (608) 606-3692

• Top Notchmen--Dave & Lois Melgaard, 5526 171st Street, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin 54729, 715-723-8655