The Dee Ford Band

Artist Bio

The date, November 1976... Dee Ford and David Cook get together for the first time. At first, it was just a rock band that Dee joined on stage to sing.

Then things began to change. The market got different and the clientele began to change. This brought on a change in the band requirements. Horn sections came and went. Multi-guitars came and went. Female singers came and went. Throughout it all was Dee and David. With a lifetime of practical music and an ear for arrangement, David structured the bands for Dee's clubs for over 20 years providing some of the best live entertainment in the Southeast.

At the turn of the century, Dee was back managing nightclubs, but longing to return to the stage. He contacted David again and set down the parameters for the project. It's taken 10 years and a lot of work and re-work to produce a band that can cover any situation, and still produce a distinctive sound that sets them apart from the rest of the bands.

David's experience in multiple genres includes performing with Nantucket, Mike Pinera & Thee Image, The Allman Brothers, and many other Atlanta based bands. In country, he has performed w/ David Alan Coe, Robin Lee, Ken Mellons, John Anderson, Ronnie Milsap, and The Forrester Sisters. His diversity also includes numerous R&B/Pop projects over the years including artists like Jean Carne, and The Atlanta Collections of Life & Heritage. Although arranging music and vocals for many years, David has only recently begun singing leads, and is now singing 40% of the bands popular tunes.

With Chuck Burney on bass guitar, the band gained a solid foundation in R&B/TSOP/Soul. Chuck comes to the band from years with Clarence Carter, and The Big Poppa Showband. He has been an asset to providing the type of diversity that makes this band a TRUE variety band and his smooth R&B vocal style is sure to please.

Lou Trombley is a classically trained percussionist with a degree from Berklee School of Music who sets the rhythm and provides the back-beat that drives the "Dance Til You Drop" sets. He says there's no difference in the fact that he plays left handed... but there's SOMETHING there that makes it POP. His baritone vocals are a distinctive part of the overall vocal sound.

Mark Manley, on guitar, adds an extra something special with his meld of styles from Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and John Mayer. Mark's vocal power shows through on the newer songs from groups like Nickleback and John Mayer. His writing abilities are being explored as you read.

Adding a country style to the band is Wayne Hann. A staple name in Alabama's country music scene, Wayne has been performing the best in country music since his teens. Wayne paid his dues playing with such name artists as Tammy Wynette, Lorette Lynn, George Jones, and Johnny Paycheck. From Cajun to Western Swing, Wayne brings it and leaves you wanting more.

With a songlist that has been described as schizophrenic in its variety, THE DEE FORD BAND can play anywhere for any function.. from Classic Rock and Classic Country, thru the 80's and 90's dance craze, to todays pop, rock, and country hits, you'll find there something for EVERYONE.

New to the line up is utility player David Lake. Versatile on acoustic, electric, pedal steel, bass, banjo, and drums, he promises to add another level to the depth of variety that this band can cover.