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| I started out singing quite young in life ripe old age of 12 or 13, with much thanks goin out to my sister Debbie Doty-Dodson as she always aspired to become a professional singer, she had a way of getting me to sing with her as well as my brother Doug, she would have us learn these songs and then we would put on lil skits and shows for my mother and family , basically whoever would have enough patience to sit and watch. Even when there was no audience, we would be learnin different songs and dances so that when we visited our father Drake Doty, Sr.(who was an accomplished guitar player/singer/entertainer in his own right) we could do these lil shows, however I can't remember ever actually doin them for him, come to think of it. I do remember how when we were at his house, he would bring out his guitar and we would all just sing for hours and laugh at his funny lil quirks and jokes he made of songs by changing up the words(reckon that is where I really picked up that trait). Then as I started getting older and being raised in a christian Baptist household, we was off to church every Sunday morning for Sunday School and morning services then back for the evenin services. I was activley involved in the youth choir , then advancing in age to join the adult choir while actively being involved in solos, ensembles trios and quartets. I was awarded Meritoriuos Awards in High School Chorus for State Competition in vocal abilities in Solo, Ensemble and Barber Shop Quartets. Graduated High Scool in 1981, from Riverdale High School in Fort Myers, Florida. Momma would always have the radio on tuned into the local Country Music station far back as I can remember it was "WHEW" and sister station "WCAI" out of Fort Myers, Florida. I remember just sitting around listenin and tryin at times to sound like the artist singin. In or about the year 1988, I was introduced to Karaoke by good friends Jim and Terri Myers, who had a local Karaoke business they ran, doin Karaoke shows in some of the local bars and restaraunts in the Fort Myers area. I would go out and catch their shows and do a lil singin now and then. It became clear to me that I had really missed the singin and jokin and clownin around I used to experience with my family, who had each gone their seperate ways after both my sister and brother had gotten married and started families of their own. I reckon my biggest influencs were my Father- Drake Doty, Sr., Sister- Debbie Doty-Dodson, The the Pro's - Kenny Rogers, Ronnie Milsap, Conway Twitty, Randy Travis, Ray Stevens, Weird Al Yankovich. So I continued to go out and visit the shows of different friends who had gotten into the Karaoke business. I also became a part time singer for a local house band "SUNDOWN" at the Big Still in North Fort Myers, where I was employed as Security. It was then, I realized that I really did like entertaining folks through my singin and tellin jokes and funny stories, singin funny songs and singin songs where I would change up some of the words to make 'em funny(thanks again, Dad) So, I decided to go into business for myeslf. Music By Drakester was Established in the year 1989. I started out running Karaoke shows at the North Fort Myers Moose Lodge, American Legion in North Fort Myers. After about three years of doing the Karaoke thang, and after meeting one who is now as "close to bein a BROTHER" as any non relative could be, (Jim"Bullman" Eller), who was into the Oldies Rock & Roll - 50's & 60's and easy Listening Music - 70's. Thanks to Jim, I learned about a whole new kind of fun and excitement in the music business. (It was then I had realized, these were some of the songs My Daddy would play and sing to us and change up the words to) We would sing together on occasion and had the time of my life, did some great songs and made a lot of folks happy when we would sing together. Then I started performing Sock Hops and Dinner Shows as well as Karaoke in Social Clubs such as Am Vets in North Fort Myers, Eagles in North Fort Myers Songbirds (Karaoke Bar and Restaraunt) South Fort Myers, Brookes Food and Fun in North Fort Myers Bowling Alleys in North And South Fort Myers North Lake Estates (New years Eve Shows) Lake port, Florida from 12/2005 - 12/2008. I was asked to be a guest Judge in the Florida Country Music Association Music Showcase held in the Crazy Horse Saloon in Florida in 2004, which I gladly and honorably accepted from the Southwest Florida State Country Music Association President, Curt Dunn. I have had the Pleasure and the Honor to sit around and talk with and or sing with great Performers such as Drake Doty, Sr., Al Holland of the "Platters", Pete original lead singer for the "Duprees" who went by the stage name of Joey Canzano (later known as Joey Vann) singer of "You Belong To Me) and his Lovely wife Linda Scott who had a big hit with "A Thousand Stars In The Sky", Country Music Artists: Chad Brock, Darryl Worley, "Jiggs" Lemley (steel guitar Player for "HawkShaw" Hawkins). I recently (February,10 2005) moved to Lake City and am on my way to getting established in my music here in town, I first started goin into the County Line Bar and would sing Karaoke with Heather on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Everyone seemed to like my style of music, They said it different than the usual music around town, so much so, That her mother Anne(Owner of the County Line Bar) asked me to do a Oldies Night on the second and fourth wednesday of the month. That is when I changed from "Music By DrakesterD" to "FlashBacks With Drake Doty, Jr." I was running Karaoke shows at the Moose Lodge in Watertown, ever other Friday night of the month, but have RETURNED to Fort Myers. and am now back to entertaining and enjoying the music I love with my friends again.
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