The Band
Frankie D and the Dreamers is a high energy, entertaining, good time 'rock and roll' band playing the best of the 50's and 60's music. We
love what we do and have fun doing it. This band will have you singing and dancing the minute they strike their first chord. So put on your
"High Heeled Sneakers" or your "Blue Suede Shoes" and "Let's Go to the Hop" and "We'll Have Fun, Fun, Fun, 'Til Your Daddy Takes Your T-Bird Away".
The main band members are Frank Coletta, drummer, backup singer and M.C. of the band; Dave Hiscox, lead guitar and lead vocals; Fred Parsons
on keyboard, bass and vocals; Phil Parsons on Sax and Vocals. From time to time we are joined by Brent Malseed on bass; Max Clark on keyboard and
sax; and Dave Brown, percussion.
This band is available for dances, house parties, high school reunions, fairs, street dances, parades, beach parties and of course "Sea Cruises".
Reasonable Rates. Call Frankie D at 519-534-0325 or email me at frank50s60@gmail.com
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Frankie D and the Dreamers
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Frankie D and the Dreamers
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Past Gigs and References
- Port Elgin Beach Party 2004, 2005, 2006. "The kids loved your hoola hoop and bubble gum blowing contests. You made the event fun and
entertaining."
- Owen Sound Street Dance and Classic Car Show 2006. "The band made the 50's and 60's come alive in downtown Owen Sound. Let's do it again."
- Wiarton Rotary Club. "Thanks for helping us raise over $30,000 for the new playground equipment at Peninsula Shores District School."
- Owen Sound Home Coming - August 2007, Great Owen Sound happening! Band had a fantastic performance and met a lot of fans both old and new.
- 2009 Salmon Spectacular - performed with Elvis (Peter Irwin) for the Rock and Roll concert - over 3,000 old and new fans. It was a rockin good time!
- 2010-2016 Wings and Wheels over Owen Sound. - Thanks for making our fundraiser a really big success
- 2010-2017 Sauble Beach Cruisers End of the Summer Sock Hop
- 2017 Auto and Air Extravaganza
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Band Members
Glory Days - 1969
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Frank Coletta - Drums
Hi! I'm Frankie D (Frank Coletta). I started playing drums at George Harvey High School in Toronto in the 60's. While I was there,
I formed a band called "The Act Five". We played in the Toronto area and the Yorkville scene. In the 70's I moved to London Ontario and
started another band called "BITTERSWEET". Throughout the 70's and 80's the band was busy and played all the local bars and fairs in the area.
I moved to Wiarton with my family in 1989 and soon met up with "Midnight Blue" and became their back up drummer for 5 years. I wanted to have
my own band so I formed "Bittersweet Blues Band" and played in local bars in the Owen Sound area. Summer Folk 23 was one of the band's best
performances. After 5 years I needed a change of directions and went back to the music I grew up with...the best of the 50's and 60's
Rock and Roll...and "Frankie D and the Dreamers" was formed.
When Frank is not being a rock star, he is very busy in the Wiarton community. As past president and member of the Wiarton Rotary Club, he is
working with the Peninsula Shores Performing Arts Centre to bring international performers to Wiarton.
Present day - Mallory Beach Rock and Roller!
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Present Day
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1995 - 2001
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1970 - 1980
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Bittersweet 2009
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Dave Hiscox - Guitar
Although not raised in a musical family per say, Dave's parents appreciated good music, and he was encouraged to explore the wonders of the genre
through his early public school participation in various choirs and vocal groups. Early vocal training and experience came about as he entered
provincial music competitions in the categories of single vocals and mixed choir, achieving excellent marks.
1950 - As a self taught musician he was intrigued by the sounds of the guitar as an expressive instrument, and Dave would fill many hours locked
away, to study the instrument, and hone the required skills in notes, chords, and scales.
In the first year of high school, he was instrumental in forming a band for experience and exposure, playing many school dances and functions.
Introduction, at this time , to various styles of music ( rock, blues, country, jazz, and big band ), offered Dave, a chance to mature in the
world of music at the very tender age of 14. Because of his young age however, he was compelled to have his parents sign a "performance waiver",
to allow him to play music with mature musicians in licensed establishments. Legal age of majority was 19 at that time!
Dave continued his exposure to a professional music career by appearing with some of the well known and established bands in the area such as:
"Rock 'n' Tones", "Brian Pawley and his Rhythm Rockers", "Purple Country", "The Herbie Rutherford Orchestra", "The Earl Georgas Jazz Quintet",
"Robbie and the Royals", and guest spots with "Alf Fromanger and the Country King's" on CKVR-TV.
After entering the work force, Dave continued to play music on the weekends . At this time, (on a request from a traveling musician friend), Dave
was asked to substitute for an ailing guitarist (on a road tour), with options to stay with the tour full time, or return home if and when the
original guitarist returned. After a few weeks, and on reflection, Dave decided to give up the "lonely- life", and return home.
It must have been a good decision , as he continued to work at his day job, gig on the weekends, and subsequently met and married his wife,
Mary, (after meeting at a charity event Dave was appearing at). A son Nicholas, (1967), and two daughters, Teresa, (1969), and Angela, (1971),
soon followed.
Soon music and entertainment would call again , and together with some old friends, (who joined the firm where Dave worked), formed another band
called, "The Four Folk Plus One", would be the basis for his musical expression for the next 16 years.
After a short sabbatical, Dave accepted a call to join another group. Known as "Feelin' Good". Together with Robbie and Jenny Robinson, Dave,
would enjoy touring with this trio for the next few years. A studio recorded cassette, would be the culmination of this great experience.
Another contact, (from an old friend and keyboard musician, Max Clark), convinced Dave, to once again, "run the roads", with yet another nostalgic
group playing 50's and 60's music known as "Frankie D and the Dreamers". Still playing with this band at the present time, Dave is still
"gettin' it on", more than ever.
Today, Dave and Mary are still married, and have three, "entertaining" grandsons, Matthew, Curtis, and Dylan who someday, (for some
strange reason), might be attracted to the "magical world of music".
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Dave Hiscox
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Fred Parsons
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Fred Parsons
Born and raised in London, Ontario, Fred has been playing music since the age of five, studying piano and music theory with the Sisters at
Mount St. Joseph in London. He played trombone and tuba in high school at Sir Adam Beck Collegiate, playing in the Spartones Jazz Band and,
while there, keyboard in a top 40's band called the Nouvelles of London. He travelled extensively while in university with a pop-rock-jazz
group called The Exception ,playing bass, trombone and keyboard (to earn tuition money!), played Bass guitar with the Johnny Downs Orchestra
and trombone with Orchestra London under conductor Clifford Evans.
As a music teacher,Fred taught at Lorne Avenue Public School in London (where he was responsible for starting the music program), John Diefenbaker
Secondary in Hanover for 6 years, and West Hill Secondary in Owen Sound for 21 years. He has been active on the music scene in and around the area
for many years having performed with the top 40's band, again called The Exception, with brother Phil and drummer Gord Dandeno for 13 years,
Georgian Bay Symphony (trombone, french horn, trumpet and percussion), the Stardust Big Band, The Alpha Jazz Band with Earl Georgas, Frankie D
and the Dreamers, Quorom, and with his own duo, with David Brown on percussion.
And still going strong....long live Rock and Roll!!.
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Phil Parsons - Tenor Sax and Vocals
- Studied instrumental music as a student in London, Ontario schools
- father Howard Parsons as sax mentor
- member, along with brother Fred Parsons, of the popular "Novelles" in London during the 60's
- played baritine sax in the University of Western Ontario Concert Band
- occasional member of several Big Band organizations in London area through the 60's and early 70's and member of the Concert Under the
Stars orchestra
- a music educator in Ontario schools for more than 30 years
- member of "Exception" trio based in Owen Sound throughout the 70's and 80's - prersently a band director for the annual Kincardine Summer
Music Festival
- excited to be a member of Frankie "D" and the Dreamers bringing the best of 50's and 60's music to dances, parties, weddings and every
other imaginable occasion!
"Live Music is Best!"
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Phil Parsons
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