When retired banking executive Henry Doss took a look at the cover of FMQB magazine (Friday Morning Quarterback is the radio business weekly magazine read by 9,000+ industry professionals) during the last week in May, he did a double take. He was tied with Hall & Oates and Rick Springfield for fourth on most added list of songs for radio airplay for the week. Then a closer look of the charts showed his song “Floating Islands” in the top 200 most played songs on the radio, ahead of U2’s “Vertigo” and other artists such as Faith Hill, Phil Collins and Uncle Kracker. “It is very rare for a CD by a relatively unknown artist to even make this rating, much less debut at a Top Ten spot,” said Jon Flanagan, head of Radio and Retail Promotions in Hollywood, CA. “This level of excitement about this recording at this early stage is a good indication that this CD will receive national airplay.” Henry who? Exactly the question Henry Doss is asking himself. The answer for everyone including Doss will be given Sunday, June 12 at Union Street Station when Doss performs selections from his new CD “Floating Islands.” The evening is being billed as a “CD Release Party” and Doss and Union Street have waived the traditional cover charge. INNER CALLING Now Henry Doss knows who he is as a person, a father, a husband and corporate executive. But what he wants to know is if he is a musician. He believes that he is and it was that inner calling in 1999 at the age of 46 that prompted him to wander into a guitar store and buy a used Gibson Nighthawk. Playing the guitar in a rock and roll band was a childhood fantasy of Doss, who played as a teenager but gave it up in favor of growing up. “I flunked out of high school,” said Doss. “Basically I was a wise ass cracker redneck (he grew up in Tennessee and Virginia) who never went to school. But eventually after five years of working construction and playing the guitar I decided to grow up. I enrolled at a community college and before I knew it I was in graduate school.” After college Doss entered the commercial banking world. He quickly climbed the corporate ladder and became an upper level executive. While some grow tired and burnout of the corporate life, Doss loved it, and when he decided to retire in 2002 at the age of 49, it was to take on the inner dream. “I became a jack of all trades in the banking world and loved it,” said Doss. “But there was this question within me that I needed answered. Right now I am out trying to get it answered.”
GETTING AIRPLAY So lets start with getting one questioned answered: How does a virtual unknown find himself ahead of U2 on the nation’s radio most played list? “I hired a radio promotional consultant from California,” said Doss. “It is virtually impossible for an unknown to walk in off the street and get airplay. But using a professional consultant lends immediate credibility to your work and opens doors that otherwise closed. I am as shocked as the next guy to see my name on these lists.” Now, before making the assumption that Doss is some well-off individual buying himself a fantasy life one needs to look no closer than the musicians who worked with him on his CD. Guys like Al Jankowski and Roger Tarczon are among the best in Northern Michigan and both have national reputations. They just don’t perform with anybody. Add in Ivan Greilick, who currently is touring with Rare Earth and is flying in to play guitar and offer backing vocals, and this clearly must mean that Doss has something more behind his music than just money. “I am not even in the same league as these guys when it comes to music,” said Doss. “This area is rich in musical talent and these guys are certainly at the heart of it. I am grateful that they have embraced my music and have been of great encouragement to me along the way.” So now comes the hard question. Does Doss have what it takes to live his dream? “This is what I want to find out. I am scared there is no question about it. I have only performed five times before in public,” said Doss. “What I want to find out on Sunday is if my lyrics and music can stand up to the audience’s expectations in this community and then eventually elsewhere.”
THE REAL TEST Doss thinks it is great that he is attracting all this national attention in recent weeks with radio airplay, but he knows the real test will be in the live performance. Now, in the corporate world he thrived, but in the music business there is a vulnerability that doesn’t exist in the corporate universe, and as a musician you are opening your heart and soul for everyone to see your innermost thoughts. “I knew what I was doing; I had a track record; I knew my way around the block and the pay was pretty good. Now, I’m scared, worried about failing, not sure about myself, and scared to death of being in front of people,” said Doss. “So why did I do it? I believe everyone has an innate desire to create in some form. Creating something -- is fundamentally the most important thing that any of us can do.” Doss and his family moved to Northern Michigan near Traverse City in 2002. He discovered the beauty of the area while visiting his in-laws. He expects to see his friends and family out in support, but what he is really looking for are others to come out, take a listen and give their input.” If his CD “Floating Islands” is any indication, then Doss has the goods. Radio consultant or not, stations don’t play music that does not stand up to the listener’s expectations. The album was produced by legendary guitarist John Beland (Linda Ronstant/Flying Burrito Brothers) and consists of 11 original songs composed by Doss. Musically the CD fits under the broad category of adult contemporary and blends pop with hints of folk and country.
LOVE’S LEVELS Lyrically, Doss delves into what he believes is the root of all life: love. Every song is an exploration of love at its different levels. Inspiration comes from his awe of love and observations of how love maneuvers its way through everyday living. While Doss is pleased with the CD and its early success, he is already working on the next one. “I have enough material already written for another CD,” said Doss. “It is my hope that when people listen to the next CD they will think ‘Floating Islands’ was from a kindergartner who now has matured.” Doss is learning a lot about the business. While he has 52 years of life experiences, he has only been writing songs and playing the guitar seriously for six years. While most musicians his age have 35 years playing experience and knowledge of the evil ways of the music industry, Doss is more like the idealistic teenager seeing the whole world in front of him. In many ways Doss is like the person who says to the teenager, “If only I could be you knowing what I know today.”
EMMA RUGG Instead of just saying it, he has decided to live it. Doss might be getting his youthful influences from 22-year-old English phenom Emma Rugg. The two have been collaborating in the studio since 2003 when Doss caught Rugg on the BBC show “Raw Talent.” Blown away by her vocal range and lyrical arrangements, he flew Rugg over to Traverse City to record with him. She duets with him on “Remnants of a Conversation.” “Emma is a remarkable talent,” said Doss. “We are learning from each other and our music works well together.” Rugg says that despite their differences in age, there is connectivity in their music and “that their styles are similar.” The two hope to tour together in the fall in both the UK and the USA with each doing a set of their own music and then a few songs together. Prior commitments in England will prevent Rugg from coming to the CD release party. But that is all in the future. Right now as high school seniors are preparing for their final exams, Doss is preparing for his own exam. But instead of being a final, he sees it as more of an entrance exam, and it is now just a matter of what school he will get into. Will it be “the school of don’t quit your day job?” Too late-he already did. Or will Doss score so well he will have several options to choose from? Come and find out the answers for yourself. It is a pretty safe bet that the question “Henry who?” won’t be asked in the near future; instead it will be more likely, “when will Henry be back again?” As for passing the test Doss already has because anyone willing to take it has already passed the biggest challenge. Henry Doss and the Data Cubes featuring Al Jankowski on keyboards and sax (check out Jankowski’s sax solo on the title cut of the CD); Kid Rock’s favorite drummer, Roger Tarczon; probably the most talented musician to come out of Traverse City, John “Ivan” Greilick; and holding it all together on bass, Dale Swords, will perform at 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 12 at Union Street Station. Doors open at 5 p.m. for an informal celebration with no cover. To learn more about Doss visit his website at www.henrydoss.com , or for additional show information contact Union Street Station (231) 941-1930.
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