Many Sounds of Nine

Many Sounds of Nine
Moses Lake, Washington
1958 - 1992

The Steve Laughery – “Many Sounds of Nine” Band Story
Submitted by Wayne Freeman (64-84)

The concept for the Many Sounds of Nine was developed sometime in 1958 when musicians; Steve Laughery (sax), Bob Panerio, (trumpet), Russ Uusitalo (trombone), Luke Danielson, (trumpet) and Wendell Holmstrom (trombone) got together with the idea of making a big band sound out of only a few musicians. This was to be accomplished via the multi-doubling capabilities of these extra-ordinary musicians and the subsequent musicians they would ask to join them.

Steve Laughery - Leader 58-72

Steve Laughery was designated leader, and Bob Panerio chief arranger utilizing the skills of the now nine musicians who were gathered to form the “Steve Laughery Band”.

This band was an instant hit and thrilled the dancing public throughout the states of Washington, Alaska, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Michigan, Nevada and Canada for nearly 45 years. The creative arrangements began by Panerio, inspired the ingenious work of Luke Danielson, and others when Bob left the band in 1962. Thanks to Luke’s tireless and prolific production of original new arrangements, the sound of the band evolved and grew to SHOW BAND status. His “hits just kept on coming” and “the band” found itself showcasing at the MGM Grand and Golden Nugget, and headlining at Cactus Pete’s and the State Line Casino’s in Nevada and the Tacoma Elks, Big Sky Resort, Sun Valley, etc., year after year.

In 1960, “the band” not only participated in the American Federation Musicians Best New Dance Band National Contest in Detroit, competing against 16-piece bands from Las Vegas, Seattle and New York, they came within three points of winning first place. They were featured on the Dick Clark Radio show and given a record deal with “Golden Crest Records” and thousands of dollars worth of free musical instruments as prizes.

“The Laughery Band” was riding high!”

The membership of “The Laughery Band” changed over the years, but the high standards of musicianship were never compromised.
When Steve, and his wife Betty, were tragically killed in June of 1972, the band from that point on went by The Many Sounds Of Nine with Herm Danielson as front man, breadman and leader. Brother Luke Danielson continued cranking out great arrangement after great arrangement.

Herm Danielson - Leader 72-92

Members of the 1960 “Detroit” band:

Steve Laughery-saxophones and leader
Luke Danielson-trumpet-trombone-arranger
Herm Danielson-all woodwinds, trumpet-trombone, vocals
Bob Panerio-bari-sax, lead trumpet, vocals and arranger
Russ Uusitalo-trombone, trumpet, woodwinds
Wendell Holmstrom-trombone, trumpet, clarinet, vocals
George Dorr-piano
Mick Fenske-drums
Dale Johnson-bass, violin

By 1965 the band members were:

Steve Laughery: woodwinds and leader
Herm Danielson: woodwinds, brass and leader
Luke Danielson: brass, vocals, prolific arranger
Russ Uusitalo: brass, vocals, arranger
Wendell Holmstrom; brass, vocals, clarinet, arranger
Bill Sander: keyboards, ww, arranger
Wayne Freeman: woodwinds, vocals
Mick Fenske: drums
Bob Prichard: bass

1972

After Steve’s death in June of 1972 the band officially changed it’s name to the Many Sounds of Nine.

The band members were:

Herm and Luke Danielson, Jerry McManus, Wayne Freeman, Bill Sander, Tom Hill,
Kyle Pugh, Marv Richter and Elmer Peters playing Steve’s book.

By 1984 the band consisted of:

Herm Danielson woodwinds, brass, leader
Luke Danielson brass and arranger;
Randy Dary trombone, guitar, vocals and arranger;
Steve Filipini trumpet and accordian,
Gayla Crane, piano and vocals,
Gene Mineo, drums,
Kyle Pugh bass and vocals,
Bill (Willis) Sander keyboards,
Gary Eddigoffer woodwinds;
Wayne Freeman MC, woodwinds and vocals.

Luke Danielson - Lead Arranger - 62-92

Some of the high society the band played for, or with, included: Big Tiny Little, Joe Feeny, tenor with Laurence Welk,Connie Haines singer with the Moderaires, Bill Russell, Ronald Reagan, Andrews sisters, Jackie Gleason, George Gobel, Phyllis Diller, The Brothers Four, Many Washington State governors and countless other celebrities.