Scottville Clown Band Roster

I live in Sumner, MI. I been a Self Employed Carpenter since 1973. I worked in 1980 Lake Placid NY Winter Olympics building project. I was employed as an Instrumental Band teacher at Great Lakes Academy, Morey Charter Public School in Central Michigan for 9 years. My degree is sharing musical knowledge and encouraging others to join Community Bands. I have six children and three grandchildren. I've helped them learn how to play band instruments and learn to love music through my dedication and support in playing in the local Community Bands. I enjoy playing music and occasionally have been asked to conduct in the bands. I play Euphonium, Tuba, Electric Bass and Guitar in the Central Michigan Area Concert Community Band, Ionia Community Band, Caravan Circus Pick-up Band, Scottville Clown Band, Greenville Danish Band and the Blue Lake Adult International Band. I've toured in Europe, Germany, Belgium, France, and Tivoli gardens in Copenhagen Denmark. I also conduct my own ensemble groups called The Celtic Harmonies and “The De-Composer’s Band”.

My name is Nelson Buckley I’ve been with the Scottville Clown Band since 1997. I am a 2nd generation and current life member of the Scottville Clown Band. I grew up watching my father perform in the Scottville Clown Band, listening to “Basin Street Blues” summer after summer until I was old enough to join the band. Music has been an integral part of my upbringing and has paved the way to many musical opportunities throughout my life. As a youth I traveled overseas with the Michigan Ambassadors of Music, performing with the best of the best high school musicians in Michigan for both instrumental and choral music performance. As an adult I have performed both instrumental and choral music for a variety of audiences both stateside and overseas.  I performed with the SCB through high school and after a brief tour with the U.S. Navy (8 years) I moved back to Michigan to settle, work, and play music with the SCB once again. My favorite part about playing in the SCB is the energy, smiles and laughter the band gets from the crowds we play for; the cities we play in are always welcoming and everyone is happy to see us. Through thousands of miles and millions of smiles I’m proud to be life member of the SCB and look forward to many more years playing for the cities and festivals in and around Michigan. I currently live East of East Lansing and work as an Imaging Service Engineer for a local hospital. I play the French Horn and dress as a sailor. Hopefully, “We’ll see you down the road.” Semper Sitientis.! Go Navy!

I joined the band in 2005 after retiring from a career in hospital administration, where I spent time in Omaha, Ludington, and Traverse City. I play piccolo (and flute) in the Northwestern Michigan College Community Band and the Grand Traverse UM Alumni Band. My wife and I spend winters in Sarasota, Florida. The trumpets and trombones in the Clown Band are always complaining that I drown them out.

22 years ago I ask Big George if they needed anymore drummers and he told me to talk to Emery Marrison and Emery told me to get a drum and join them. So I did. Actually I have been watching the Clown Band every since I was 10 years old. We would center our vacation around the 4th of July, so my Mom could watch the Clown Band in the parade. I told her that I would play with those clowns someday. She never got a chance to see me play with the band but my Dad did. He also loved the band. I have enjoyed every moment playing with the band and I can’t say enough good things about the band. All the guys are super and we all love making people laugh and playing good music.

I live in Allendale. I have been a member since 2010. I started playing trumpet and then switched to tuba. I attended Rockford High School. From there I went on to play tuba at Central Michigan University. I've been a member of the Rockford Community Band, I've also played with the Zeeland Community Band, and now...The Scottville Clown Band.

My name is Nate DeWeerd from Ludington. I have been playing Baritone and Trombone with the Band since 1993. I am proud to be part of one of the largest family units in the Band, with my dad, uncle, and two brothers also playing. I have been on Active Duty in the United States Marine Corps since 1998, so I don't get the opportunity to play as much as I would like, but when I do, I always carry the Marine Corps flag, and sing our Hymn with pride during Salute to the Troops. I really enjoy seeing the smiles on the faces of our fans when we come marching down the street, and hope to be doing this for many years to come. Semper Fidelis et Semper Sitentis!!

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.