DAVID (Dave) LEE ROY DIGHTON

 TO SEE DAVE DIGHTON'S CERTIFICATE CLICK HERE

Iowa/Midwest Western Swing Band Leader, Entertainer, Musician History/Bio

 Dave Dighton began his music career in the 1940’s through the Coggon Iowa school system learning the trumpet. Much of his talent came naturally and his ability to “adlib” to any music was recognized early on in his career. After his marriage to  Marilyn (Price) Dighton, he enlisted in the army where he played in the army band during his tour based in Tennessee and Kansas. After retiring from the army, he played with  Bob (Bub) Techau around  the Iowa  area.

 Dave than began his own band a five piece Western Swing Band playing in dance ballrooms all over the Midwest including : Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, and hosting Carribean Dance Cruises. His music influences were: Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, Tiny Hill, Buck Owens and many other artists to numerous to list. The Dave Dighton Band played consistently for over 52 years entertaining millions of people.

Today, when he sits in with The Western Justice Band, and plays on stage there waves of fans, children and grandchildren of the fans that recognize him and love to revisit  memories of the past  when he and his band entertained them. Dave is one of the few

People who can remember names of fans from the past 52 years of entertaining on the road and is usually able to call them by name every time he sees them.

 The Dave Dighton Band has been recognized many times by the National Ballroom and Entertainment Operators of America as being the most popular dance band in the Midwest.

 The band has recorded several albums and cassettes, with the first recordings done in 1971 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, The Albums and recordings are still  in popular demand although in limited supply today.

 DAVE DIGHTON  still remains a big influence to the members of the WESTERN JUSTICE BAND and the leader, KIRK DIGHTON, his only son.

 Dave still freely passes his music advice off to anyone who asks him how to make a living in the entertainment business. His impact on the entertainment industry and fellow musicians and entertainers will live on for a very long time.

DAVE  HAD A SLOGAN THE WAS PAINTED ON THE BACK OF HIS BUS IT SAID:

  Below Are Pictures  And Names of Musicians Who Played  For Dave Dighton.

     Jack Sexton,(Guitar)  Duane “Duke” Kasper (fiddle, sax, clarinet)

Jim Wolfe (Drums), Dave Dighton (trumpet, bass) Jim “Joe” Rettig (Cordovox, bass) 

Taken at the Armar Ballroom in Cedar Rapids-1970’s

       Jerry Pasker (Steel Guitar, banjo, guitar) Mark Lauterwasser (Cordovox, bass, trumpet) Dave Dighton (trumpet, bass) 
Rod Blanchard (Drums) Jack Sexton

      FRONT-         Ron Johnson (Drums) Mark Lauterwasser  (Cordovox,    bass, trumpet)

       BACK -          Jack Sexton, Dave Dighton, Jerry Pasker

Credits and Acknowledgements

 For writing, editing, researching, documentation of history:

KIRK DIGHTON - Writing BIO/History Supplying Pictures

© 2004 CMSI- Iowa/Midwest Country Music Heritage Museum, Library, Hall Of  Fame, Harold L. Luick , Author/Publisher.

All Rights Reserved!   NO part of this web page or information may be reproduced, printed, by electronic retrieval with out getting permission in writing first, or by e-mail permission from the author/publisher: haroldl@cmshowcase.org

Exception: For brief quotations in a review or for public or private schools Teaching  History of Country Music. Credit and acknowledgement must be given to: CMSI-Iowa/Midwest Country Music Heritage Museum, Library, Hall Of Fame, Publisher and Author and  must be included a in all media presentations, TV, Radio, Audio, Tapes, CD, Seminars, printing or quotes.

For permission of use form:  Write: CMSI  P.O. #368, Carlisle, Iowa 50047-0368. Include SASE to return Form To You.

CLICK LINK: for e-mail version of permission of use form.

The COST of  our  “Virtual” Country Music Heritage Museum, Library, Hall Of Fame  Web Site is provided by; volunteers, grants and  “FREE-WILL” donations from visitors, guests, and readers like YOU. If you would like to support what we are doing by making a donation to our project, IT WILL BE APPRECIATED!

Send all Donations by check, money order (do not send cash) to: CMSI support donation, P.O. Box #368, Carlisle, Iowa 50047-0368

Donations can also be made by credit card thru the Pay Pal System.

CLICK LINK: to make Donation by PAY PAL e-mail form.

CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO THE DOORWAY