Destin Harmony: Group sings our ‘favorite memories'

DESTIN — If you remember doo wop, greasers, cool cats and songs you could actually understand, then you’re a boomer.

You’re a member of a special generation, the baby boomers, born after 1946 — just like the members of Destin Harmony.

“Our music is from the times we grew up in,” Dan Coffey, member of the group, told The Log. “We three are all ‘of a certain age.’ I've heard the argument that songs were more melodic then, but there were some goofy songs, too. And it happens to be the music that the snowbirds remember.”

The ’50s and ’60s saw the beginning of rock and roll, and although Destin Harmony does sing a few songs from the ’40s, such as “Sentimental Journey,” rock and roll belonged to the young people.

“The snowbirds were young then,” Coffey said. “I say to our audience that ‘we sing your favorite memories,’ and people will come up to us and say ‘I haven't heard that song in years, what a lot of good memories you brought back.”

Last year the group’s most requested song was “Grandma's Feather Bed” by John Denver, which they didn't know, but learned within a week. This year “Proud Mary,” or anything by Elvis, has been requested.

The group’s personal favorites include “Elvira,” “My Girl,” and “Take Me Home Country Roads.”

“We really enjoy it when we get a smooth, tight three-part vocal blend,” Coffey said.

In addition to playing at meetings of the Destin Snowbird Club, Destin Harmony is in its third season at Cabana Cafe in the Seascape Resort in Miramar Beach, playing from 5-7 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays. They also perform from 4-6:30 p.m. Fridays at Marie’s Bistro on 30A in Blue Mountain Beach. But their favorite venue is Crystal Bay Senior Living.

“Those folks really love us and enjoy listening and dancing to our music,” guitarist Jim Moss told The Log. “When they love it, we love it. I love the old rock ‘n’ roll songs we play. They remind me of the good ole days when life was much simpler.

“Of course, the money is nice, but there is nothing like bringing smiles and happiness to people doing something you love to do.”

Destin Harmony is also available for private functions, organizations and meetings. Contact Dan Coffey at 850-269-3851 or email dancoffey530@gmail.com.

Group members

The members of Destin Harmony are Coffey, bass, vocals; Moss, guitar, vocals; and Rick Vaughn, drums, vocals.

The three have been performing together about five months, but Destin Harmony began about five years ago.

“A friend and original co-founding member, Paul Smith, and I were at a Beatles cover band concert in Destin, and we discovered we both liked singing in harmony to the songs — thus the name,” said Coffey. “We got together and worked-up a repertoire and started entertaining the good folks at Crystal Bay Senior living in Sandestin, where my mother-in-law lives. I was currently playing with a jazz band in Panama City Beach but, after four years, was tiring of the commute.”

The group has had turnovers since then, with Coffey remaining the constant. All three of today’s members have played in bands since the ’50s.

“But music was an avocation for me once I got married, raised two daughters, and had a good career with companies such as Gillette and Maybelline,” Coffey said. “After retiring, we built a house in Miramar Beach and moved here in early 2001. One of my retirement objectives was to play in a band.”

Drummer Rick Vaughn lives in Valparaiso and the group rehearses in his studio. With an ear for singing harmony, he and Coffey will sometimes switch parts during a song, while Moss sings melody.

Born Richard Vaughn Stubblefield, Vaughn shortened his name to Rick Vaughn when he moved to the Los Angeles area in 1972.

“I got my first drum set in ’57 and played with a few instrumental bands until a drummer friend asked me to sit in with his group for the summer so he could live in the Los Angeles area and check out the music scene,” Vaughn told The Log. “This trio did almost all vocals so I started on singing harmony and then singing a few solos.”

Eventually, Vaughn stayed with the band, The Majestic NEONS, and performed at the New York World’s Fair in 1964.

“It was the day before The Beatles performed at Shea Stadium across the street,” Vaughn said. “I could not believe the frenzy with all the commotion as to girls thinking they spotted a Beatle looking out a hotel window.”

His band’s first 45 record was recorded with “My Baby Don’t Love Me” by Chick Hall on side one and “Swingin’ Thing is Summertime” by R. Vaughn on the flip side.

Vaughn later moved to the Los Angeles area, returned to Maryland and moved to Florida in 2000, joining up with Destin Harmony two years ago.

Jim Moss played in several bands as a teenager, but in 1963 he joined The Ravens, which played mainly in Charlotte, N.C., at high school dances and local clubs, known as The Cavern and Merry-Go-GO-Round.

“We traveled some around North and South Carolina playing one night stands and it was 1965 that we played at Park Center in Charlotte with the Four Tops,” Moss said.

With the Vietnam War at its peak in 1967, Moss joined the Air Force and stayed for 21 years. He didn’t play the guitar again until 2009, and in 2010 Moss found his old band members and they were reunited in Daytona Beach.

“I became interested again in music, purchased a new guitar, practiced whenever I could and in August 2011 started looking for some guys to jam with,” Moss said.

He was soon a part of Destin Harmony.

“I have no formal training in music and at age 64, remembering the words and chords is a little hard — but it’s coming together and life is good,” Moss said.