Chuck Webb Bio

Dave DuChane (By Lou Bischoff) 2014

     Dave DuChane was born January 2, 1951, in Crosby, MN. Crosby (a small town of 3000) is not known as a hub of musical activity, but it was a great starting point!
     At the age of 12, Dave wrote his first song on a banjo and invited the neighbor kids over for his first “Showcase.” His mother played piano and his father played accordion. Both of his younger brothers are accomplished musicians as well. They still get together every year to perform at family reunions. They set up at the local American Legion and play for free. It’s the one night each year that the house packs out. The family record player, in the early days, exposed Dave to the music of Hank Williams, Ernest Tubb and Jim Reeves (no wonder he’s a crooner).
     At fifteen, Dave got his first guitar. It was a used, beat up guitar that cost a whopping $10.00. He started taking guitar lessons from local “hero” Curly Baker. Curly had performed regularly on the Louisiana Hayride, backing up T. Texas Tyler and many others. The first song Curly taught him was “Anytime” (a song that still fills the dance floor at Western Swing events). Also, he learned to play “Steel Guitar Rag” from Curly on a six-string guitar. Dave switched over to bass guitar soon after that.
     At sixteen, Dave landed the bass position in the very popular local band, Axel and the Wheels, and became more and more exposed to Western Swing music. Since he was too young to play in bars, his parents faithfully accompanied him several nights a week for several years so he could pursue his passion.
     Although bass guitar has continued to be his first instrument, Dave also plays a strong rhythm guitar and sings both lead and harmony vocals. After high school, Dave continued to perform through his navy and college years.
     In 1979, Dave moved from Hawaii to West Texas to play bass in a band that toured as far west as The Palomino Club in Hollywood, CA, to as far east as Opryland in Nashville, TN.
     For twenty-five years, Dave played music professionally. During those years, he backed up dozens of recording artists, including Hank Thompson, Don Gibson, Donna Fargo and David Houston. He also shared the stage with the likes of Asleep at the Wheel, Porter Wagner, Shelley West, Ronnie Milsap, Vince Gil, Dolly Parton, Brooks and Dunn . . . the list goes on and on.
     In the 90s, Dave played bass for Johnny Lee. Johnny recorded two of Dave’s original songs, “A Heart Like Mine” and “Those Old 45s.”
     Upon moving to the Northwest, Dave was delighted to find that Western Swing music was alive and well there. The Northwest Chapter of the Western Swing Music Society welcomed him into the fold. It has been his pleasure to meet and jam with so many wonderful musicians at their functions.
     Dave’s band, Dave DuChane and the Western Wranglers, hosted several of the monthly gatherings and was featured at the NWWSMS’ 2011 Hall of Fame celebration in Auburn, WA. In 2012 Dave was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the NorthWest Western Swing Music Society. Since that time, Dave, as part of the Southern Comfort Band, has performed regularly at the western swing showcases and the annual festival. He is currently serving his 3rd year on the NWWSMS Board.
     Dave’s greatest asset is his wife, Mitzi. It was Mitzi who made Dave’s first fretless bass. The wife of a traveling musician is burdened with the task of raising the kids and keeping the family together. They have a son, a daughter and three wonderful grandchildren, all living close by in the Lake Stevens area.

Dave Duchane