Spotlight
Summer 2007 Back to Spotlight home page
Knaack's run with "The Red Dogs"
ESU graduate Jerry Knaack recalls his time at KSTC along with other students, all members of "The Red Dogs" band
Thanks for this opportunity to say a few words. In 1966 I transferred from Kansas University to Kansas State Teacher's College to join the majority of our band "The Red Dogs" (1965-1969), who were attending school in Emporia. Those attending school at KSTC were Kent Leopold (sax and organ), Steve Dahl (front man, singer,trombone,trumpet), Randall Grundy (organ, trumpet), Don Mike Hatfield (sax, flute, arrangements), Don Lindley (drummer, trumpet), Butch Neese (singer, bass), and myself (singer, songwriter, guitar, bass). Although the group was booked out of Lawrence, Kansas (Midcontinent Entertainment) and we were the house band for the "Red Dog Inn" in Lawrence (only playing there every other month or so), seven of us would practice in Emporia and occasionally play the local venues... such as "Renfro's" and the student union at school. Each weekend during the school year, our group motored to Friday and Saturday night concerts or dances, often having to leave school early on Fridays to make a "gig" in, for instance, St. Paul Minnesota. We traveled in our own bus that was parked off campus. For 100 days during the summer months, we toured one night stands for concerts, dances, and dance clubs in fourteen midwestern states. Then we returned to fall semester classes.
Several band members lived in the same house where we occasionally practiced. I remember fondly, the relationships we had with fellow students and teachers during those years, and the beautiful and easy to walk campus. Those of the group not married, dated students at school. Randall and Mike married two smart and beautiful KSTC women. After leaving the band in 1969, I returned to KSTC and graduated with a BS in Business.
Those were very special years in my life. I'd like to thank everyone I met but haven't stayed in touch with through the years. We shared memories at a turning point in music, social change, and politics, during that time when we were growing up and away from the parents, navigating our right of passage to adulthood. To all of you who've made it this long....congratulations!
Last Updated April 17, 2008