DON'S BIO

Well, where do I start? Further back then I would care to admit I formed a group I called DONNIE DEE & THE DIAMONDS. We played the Finger Lakes area in upstate New York for a time, then branched out to Rochester, Ithaca, Syracuse, etc.

Later, in the early 70's, we ended up in Syracuse, N.Y. We changed the name of the band to THE ACT IV and played such places as MR. MIKE'S, SAMI KEES, SOO LIN'S, FOUR CHOICES and, last but not least, the original JOLLY ROGER in Syracuse. The band really cooked and drew the largest crowds in the city. We received offers from all over the city, but decided to stay on at the JOLLY ROGER for quite a while and packed the house 6 nights a week.

In the late 70's the band broke up and we each went on our merry way. I went to Las Vegas to become a star.
( lol ) And, for the most part, did a single act. I worked with some of the local groups for a couple of gigs. I changed my name to Don Jay ( thought it would help -- it didn't). Don Jay was written up by one critic as having "the best new voice to hit Vegas in 15 years" (the critic never made it either).

I left Vegas (although I love Vegas ) and came home to Geneva, N.Y. I did a single act at TOM'S CLAM COVE in Syracuse, N.Y. (another good place that's gone), and also did private parties as a single act but I got awfully lonely working by myself.

I really missed playing with a band. So I called Bobby McGee who used to work with THE ACT IV and we decided to get back together. Missing two men, we couldn't use the name THE ACT IV so we changed it to DEE & McGEE. That brings us up to the present time.

The duo has really found our groove now, and we are having a lot of fun (as are the crowds). We plan on playing all over New York state and any where else we get booked. We do a lot of oldies, rock, swing, disco, country, and all other styles that people like to dance to. With strong vocals, groovy sax leads, kick'n guitar rides, strong dance beat, big band sound, friendly personalities, and professional appearance DEE & McGEE, I am proud to say, are once again knocking 'em dead.

We plan to do some recordings in the near future. We did some a few years ago, but didn't have the technology that is available today so only a few of those early cuts were saved. I'm sure we will be adding more.

In the meantime, I can either take bookings as a single act as Don Deredita or as a duo with Bobbie McGee (using the name DEE & McGEE). I also enjoy working with various local groups from time to time.