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Debbie Daniels - Banjo and Keyboards During her junior year, Deb studied in France, where she visited Strawberry Recording Studio outside Paris, and
was hired by owner Michel Magne as a translator for British and American bands. Although this was a dream job, Deb was homesick, and returned to Lake Erie College to earn her bachelor's degree with majors in French and Education. Homesteading in Montana was her next venture, but bluegrass called her back to Ohio, where she and Bob formed a band. Deb played rhythm guitar, Charlie Campbell played banjo, Bill Watson played upright bass, and
Bob played his fiddle. Soon, more talents were added. At times there were more than 8 people on stage in this pickin' jamboree known as the Better Than Bacon Band. In 1977, the Bacon Band, along with many area friends and musicians, reopened Rabbit Run Theater in Madison, where they put on shows and bluegrass festivals. Deb was then, and is presently, the teacher at the Lake County Juvenile Detention Center, where she often uses
music to engage delinquent youths. During her summertime governess position in the 80's, Deb helped three talented little girls drill their scales and practice their Clementi, and had the opportunity to play a piano once owned by John Lennon. While at a chateau in France, she played a piano once played by Chopin. During this period, she also studied piano at the Cleveland
Institute of Music under the inspirational teacher, Mr. Derek Nishimura, a native Hawaiian, and dear friend. After Deb's stint as a governess ended, she explored the world of jazz piano, and studied with Cliff Habian, an internationally known jazz pianist and composer. After studying jazz piano, Deb took several years off from lessons and just enjoyed listening to others. From
polkas to jazz standards, rock to Bach, she enjoyed it all. One day someone asked her if she wanted to buy a banjo. Deb had always thought the perfect retirement setting would be sitting on a porch pickin' the banjo with her hound dog at her side, so she decided to go for it. She began taking lessons with her old friend, Paul Kovac, of Hillbilly Idol and Clearfork. The renovated chicken coop on Paul's farm was the perfect place to let the banjos
ring. Paul helped Deb find her Goldstar banjo at Little Mountain Music, and she was back in the bluegrass world. But something was missing.... Bob Yocum. Then Bob moved back to Lake County, and it wasn't long before he was captivating audiences at every open mic and jam session in town. Deb and Bob began playing together again, and Bob took her to meet the players in what is now Abbey Rodeo. Immediately Deb was taken by the beautiful
vocals, musicianship, and song selections. She began adding some banjo parts to the tunes, and before she knew it, was lucky enough to become part of this great group of musicians and groovy people. Deb has also been working on a musical for several years, and hopes someday to bring her show to audiences everywhere. When she retires from teaching in a few years, she will devote much time and energy to this project.
Deb began her musical career as the piano accompanist for the Valley Forge High School Choir. She then attended Lake Erie College in Painesville. During her sophomore year, she met Bob Yocum, hired by the college
to compose, perform, and conduct the songs for a musical. The year was 1970, and Deb was into rock & roll, but once she heard Bob play his fiddle and guitar, she was hooked on the bluegrass sound. She got the nickname "Space" from Bob's sister Wendy.