Scottville Clown Band Roster

I have lived in Grand Haven for the past fourteen years, having moved from Plymouth, MI after getting married. I am a Chiropractic Physician with specialties in Applied Kinesiology and Sports Biomechanics. My wife, Kathie, is my office manager. I grew up in Ypsilanti where I began playing trumpet in the fourth grade. I continued on through high school under the baton of Al Townsend who used to play lead trombone for Gene Krupa. I did marching band as well as concert band and Al had us form a Big Band, playing all of the old Big Band favorites. I went on to play in the band and the orchestra at Hope College. Following college I played in the Plymouth Community Band for twenty five years. At intervals I would also play with the Plymouth Symphony. After moving here I played for two years with the West Michigan Winds. Scottville Clown Band member Ray Wiersma heard me playing in church and told me I should think about joining the Scottville Clown Band. The church lets me practice there as we live in the Old Piano Factory Condominiums and they don’t even seem to mind when I practice Basin Street Blues or Saints in the sanctuary. I haven’t hit them with The Stripper yet…..we’ll see! The “motorcycle babe” costume just kind of evolved after several other outfits. I don’t even own a motorcycle. Alter ego? I have loved every minute I have played with the band. The roll off marching down the street still gives me a thrill as we swing into Basin Street. What a great group of guys and very talented musicians. I am in awe, at times, how good everybody is. It is a joy and an honor to be part of the group, now, and in many years to come. 

I'm a United States Marine that has already served in Iraq and Afghanistan and plan on reenlisting. I play clarinet and soprano sax with the band when I can, however, my job keeps me pretty busy. When I'm on leave I'm in Muskegon.

I am retired from MSU College of Law.  My job kept me busy in the support of computers, printers and the network.  I joined the Scottville Clown Band in 2006 and play alto and bass saxophone. I also played in the Lansing Community College Jazz Ensemble, the Ionia-Maple Valley Community Concert Band and I have sat in with some guys playing Dixie & jazz.  I am a member of the FIRE band at Trinity Church in Stanton and a member of the Danish Band in Greenville. I have also performed with the Gateway Community Band in Clare.  I served as VP of the Clown Band for several years, one of the Directors of the Clown Band Board for several years, work on the Scottville Clown Band music library and was honored to receive the Scottville Clown Band's Member of the Year award in 2008. This is definitely a fun time!

I joined the Scottville Clown Band in 1997 with support from Barney Barnett and Chuck Kercher. In the late 1980s my daughter was in the Hasting High School Band. Her band director told her there was a special band coming to town for the Summer Fest celebration, and it was a must-see group. That group was the Scottville Clown Band, and I was impressed with how those guys could play. I told myself that someday I’ve got to join that band.  I played in the Central Michigan University Marching Band, the Post Concert Band in Battle Creek, and am presently a member of the Central Michigan Area Concert Band under the direction of Claude Lemmer, the Suncoast Concert Band in Sarasota, Florida, and the Venice Concert Band in Venice Florida.  I am retired from teaching Chemistry at Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek, and currently live in Mt. Pleasant.

I started playing drums in grade school under the direction of C. Howard Hornung, director of Ludington bands. In 1974 I asked Big George Wilson for his daughter Mary's hand in marriage. When I told him I was a drummer, he said that if I joined the Band I could marry his daughter! I did, we did, and the rest is history. I am a proud member of the drum section, and have served on the Board for 20 years, including 10 years as President. I am also privileged to be a Life Member of the Band. I enjoy the camaraderie of my clown buddies & the thrill of performing before our thousands of fans. A life long resident of the Ludington area, I am a retired carpenter. My wife is a retired teacher, and our 2 grandchildren live down the street from us. Life is good in Ludington.

I was born and raised in North Muskegon and I am a retired engineer from Chrysler Corporation. I play trumpet in the band which I have been a member since 2002. I live in Chelsea, MI, and consequently I'm unable to get to many of the parades and shows. I thoroughly enjoy the comradeship of the band and look forward to playing with them when ever I can. During the winter months I live in Venice, Florida, and play in the North Port Concert Band and in the Sun Coast Wind Ensemble.

HELLO! My name is David Ladd and I am a Life-Member of the  Scottville CClown Band. I joined the band in 1980 (invited to play by Bob "Pinky" Pinkerton) and my first performance was the strolling show at the Muskegon Mall in May, 1980. I am a member of the fantastic trombone section and one of the "Strippers" (Jim "Tiny" Frost made me do it starting in the early 1980's). Also, I am an occassional Street Leader & MC when the need arises. I truly enjoy every part of the  Scottville Clown Band and respect the history that has made  this band what it is today. My flapper costume is a second generation reproduction custom-made by a wonderful seamstress in Ludington, Michigan. My initial costume was an original 1930's flapper dress worn by my aunt. Although there have been a few modifications over the years, the flapper dress remains the costume of choice for me! To sum up a performance, I can only say WOW! There is nothing like the "roll-off" and subsequent blast of "Basin Street Blues" to get the band started in a parade, or the electricity of the crowd at any beer tent and concert venue where the band performs. It is an honor and a pleasure to be a part of such a storied and wonderful organization!!