Just The Two of Us: Musical Couples Make Beautiful Music Together

Feb. 9, 2005

In the relationship department it seems that only bands break up quicker than marriages. Put a husband and wife together in a band and the breakup of both is a certainty, or is it? The first couple of pop, Sonny & Cher, didn’t make it on or off stage and Fleetwood Mac’s Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks couldn’t keep it together either.
But this is the season of love and a time to rekindle the flame of passion or at least light the match. Not all musical couples have ended on a sour note. In fact three Northern Michigan couples have learned that “couples who play together stay together.”

Larry & Sandy Raspbury (Raspbury Jam, Traverse City)
The Raspbury’s have been performing in the area as a duo for the past 16 years. Known as Raspbury Jam, they had a five-year run at Shanty Creek during the late 1990s and spent last summer on the deck at Peegeo’s in Traverse City.
It was music that brought the Raspbury’s together over 25 years ago (they just celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary two weeks ago) and it has been music, a deep affection for each other, and a sense of humor that has helped to keep them together.
“I have people say to me ‘how can you work together?’ Besides performing together we essentially have been in the same office or business together for 20 years,” said Linda. “There isn’t anyone I would rather be around more than Larry.”
Both began playing instruments at an early age, Sandy started playing the piano by ear at the age of four and Larry took up the guitar at the age of 13.
“It wasn’t that I was interested in being a guitar player but my parents gave me one for Christmas,” said Larry. “My brother taught me three chords, the only ones he knew then and still the only ones he knows today.”
So exactly how did the Raspbury’s meet through music?
“In my mother’s basement bedroom; in fact I kissed Sandy for the first time in the bathroom of the basement,” said Larry.
“It sounds more devious then it actually was,” laughs Sandy. “I was with a friend who was auditioning for the band that Larry’s brother had and one thing led to another and we were married and pregnant before I knew it.”
It didn’t quite happen that fast for Larry, who grew up in Dearborn and Sandy who was from Plymouth. But they did form a duo and began performing full time, often working six nights a week.
“I wanted to be a fulltime professional musician. It was my back-up plan to being a cab driver,” said Larry. “We went on the road for five years playing small bars and restaurants. The road was our home -- we even bought a motor home and lived in that.”
While in Lewiston, Michigan performing at the Redwood Steak House after being on the road for two years, a new member joined the band.
“I gave birth to our son, we had no insurance at the time and it cost about $450,” said Sandy. “We kept performing and it was tough.”
Two years later when their daughter was born, the Raspburys left the road and set up shop in the Detroit area, performing within driving distance of their home. The challenges of performing and raising a family resulted in them moving to Traverse City in 1989 and going to work for Sandy’s parents at the Computer Haus.
“We didn’t stop performing; I think our first regular gig was at Lakeside Charlies,” said Larry. “Then we were at the Grey Gables in Charlevoix for a couple of years, and we did stints at the Park Place and the Trillium before Shanty Creek and the occasional private party in between.”
The Raspbury’s built a following around the north playing lounge rock cover tunes. So what is the secret to their marital bliss?
“A lot of alcohol,” laughs Larry.
Not sure Dr. Phil would recommend that.
“Dr. Phil doesn’t know what he is talking about half the time,” said Larry. “Most of what he says is unrealistic.”
“Let’s put it this way. I couldn’t be married to Dr. Phil for one day,” said Sandy. “It may sound corny but we keep it together because we love each other, we have fun together. The music and the fact that we both have a great sense of humor are all a part of it. Another thing is with both of us from the start what you see is what you get. I think a lot of couples are challenged in their relationships because they think the other one is changing. In reality they put up a false front and are really reverting back to who they are. If you are honest about yourself from the start it is easier.”
As for performing, they still do the occasional private party and are not sure where they will be this summer.
“Options around the area are drying up and places where we would fit in like the Park Place are taken,” said Larry. “We would never try and compete for those gigs because we respect Tom Kaufman and he has done so much for us.”
The Raspbury’s may be contacted for private parties or on the deck of your favorite bar by calling them at (231) 946-7464. They don’t do weddings, unless the price is right.

Ken & Barb Lemons (Ken & Barb Lemons Quartet, Manton)
Ken Lemons grew up in a family of musicians and at the age of five he began playing piano. He didn’t enjoy it and by junior high school he convinced his parents to let him play the trumpet. When the school needed a piano player he switched back. By the age of 13 Lemons was making money as a pianist performing at schools and weddings around the Detroit area.
While at East Detroit High School he formed his own band and was the pianist for the schools’ concerts and stage productions. During his junior year the featured vocalist caught his eye and eventually his heart and after high school they married --- a marriage that will celebrate 50 years of love and performing together in October of 2006.
During high school Barb Lemons had visions of a musical and performance career, but chose love instead.
“I had visions of Broadway,” said Barb. “But I chose marriage and children and I have no regrets. We have three wonderful daughters a great son and grandchildren and I am with the love of my life. I am very blessed.”
Marrying right out of high school, Barb put aside her public performances to raise the children while Ken worked as a journeyman wood-mold/patternmaker by day and performed by night.
“Sure it was tough. I was making $5 an hour during the day and $25 at night performing,” said Ken. “I worked four to five nights most weeks playing the Sinatra songbook because straight-up jazz just didn’t sell.”
After years of working clubs and bars he tired of it and gave up steady playing.
“I signed with the Gayle & Rice Agency and began working solo and picked up gigs when someone needed a pianist,” said Ken. “The pay and the work was better and I got to pick and choose the jobs I wanted.”
As for Barb, she kept up her singing chops with one special weekly performance.
“Each week we would take one night, usually Saturday night and for our date I would join Ken by the piano,” said Barb. “He would play and I would sing, that was our special time that we both looked forward to.”
While living and working in the Detroit area the Lemons bought land outside of Manton, camping there and eventually building their retirement home where they have lived full time since 1990. In 1996 they decided to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary at the Cadillac Country Club by inviting Ken’s former bandmates and their family and friends for a celebration and jam session.
“It was a magical evening for us,” said Barb. “Before we even performed, the manager of the Country Club was called by a couple looking for a jazz duo to perform during their wedding reception. We had no intention of performing in public but one show has led to another.”
The Lemons have made numerous public appearances since forming the Ken & Barb Lemons Quartet nine years ago and have performed as far away as Houston. In 2002 they released their first CD “How Long Has This Been Goin’ On?” which is in 14 states and has exceeded the couples expectations.
So just what has been their secret in keeping their marriage together for almost 50 years?
“It is a matter of give and take. We also have so much in common and really enjoy each other’s company, ” said Barb. “It has to do with the fact that we both have a wonderful sense of humor. It takes love and laughter to get through the down times of the “ups” and “downs” all relationships face. Ken is a very romantic guy, he was that way when we met and remains so today. I guess you could say we are still high school sweethearts.
The Lemons love life in Northern Michigan and remain here during the winter months. They will make their way to Houston later this winter for some performances and family visits but will be back in time to hunt for morel mushrooms. To obtain a copy of the Lemons CD or to book them for your event call (231) 824-3479.

Rob & Debi Younce (The Last Day Band, Central Lake)
Rob Younce might be the best guitar player in Northern Michigan that no one has heard of. Unless you have made your way to the Alden Bar where Younce performs with his wife Debi in the Last Day Band. There was a time in the 1970s when it looked like Younce, who lived in Detroit, was headed to the big time, not once but twice.
In the 1970s Younce was the lead guitarist for the Thomas Blood Band that was on the fast track with one of Detroit’s hottest vocalists, Bob Colone. Younce had made a name for himself with his guitar work. The group had released a couple of hit singles and as they were getting ready to sign a deal for the big time when tragedy struck.
“Bob was on vacation in West Branch with some friends and tried to swim across a lake and ended up drowning,” said Rob. “He was so talented. To make it even more eerie, I was at a lake downstate on the same day and at nearly the same time, and I started drowning. Obviously I was rescued.”
Younce and his bandmates lined up another lead singer but it wasn’t the same and eventually the group broke up. He ended up forming another band Stone Cold Country in 1979 that managed a hit “Half Way To Nashville.” They seemed destined for the big time when future country star Reba McEntire asked them to become her band and go into the studio to record an album.
“We were all excited until our band leader’s girlfriend wouldn’t let him do it,” said Rob. “We lost out on the deal and eventually broke up.”
McEntire’s album ended up producing two number one songs in 1982 and eventually she became one of country music’s biggest stars. However all was not lost for Younce. While with Stone Country he would end up meeting his wife Debi and the couple has since celebrated 20 years of marriage and moved to Central Lake in the 1980s to raise their children.
“I fell in love with the place when performing with Oscar Felieu at Brownwood in the summer time, during the late ’70s,” said Rob. “In fact we gave Dominic Fortuna his start. He was a little kid and we would bring him up on stage to sing ‘Johnny Angel’ and he was good.”
So how did Debi and Rob start performing?
“I went to a Stone Cold concert and was singing along with the band and Rob spotted me,” said Debi. “He tried to get me to start singing with the band on stage, but I had stage fright.”
Rob, a computer electronics expert, gave up live performing when he moved to Central Lake to launch his company, but that all changed when Debi came home one day from a Bellaire PTA excited about a parent talent show as a fundraiser.
“I told Rob that I had signed us up to sing and he really wasn’t excited, after all he had been on the cutting edge of the big time and doing a PTA talent show wasn’t very intriguing,” said Debi. “He agreed to do it for me. I was a nervous wreck and wasn’t sure that I was going to be able to do it. But once I got on stage I became addicted. I started looking for additional opportunities for us to play and we eventually formed The Last Day Band, which is just the two of us.”
The Younces became the house band at the Alden Bar in 2000, helping the venue to win the Express “Best Live Music” award in Antrim County for four straight years. In fact it was Debi who coined the phrase “Getting a Best of from the Northern Express is like getting a Grammy.”
As for love, Debi knows that Rob must love her.
“I know he really loves me because I have 152 pets and he doesn’t like pets,” said Debi.
152 animals all under one roof – are they all rabbits?
“No, we have a range from a black widow to 38 pet rats to my prized mutant parakeet,” said Debi. “In fact I am getting international recognition for discovering this new mutant parakeet. I am now breeding them and keeping a journal and sending feathers to scientists in Europe. These parakeets change colors like an opal, they are beautiful.”
Health complications for Debi have resulted in the Younces cutting back on performances, but they still do three shows a month at the Alden Bar.
“We still love it, and not a night goes by that someone doesn’t come up to us and say ‘you are the best guitar player I have ever heard, where did you come from?’ If we only knew then,” said Debi. “There are still people from Detroit who remember Rob, but this is a business of fate and breaks. So Rob didn’t become a rock and roll guitar legend but fate was good for me I ended up with my angel without wings.”
To learn more about mutant parakeets or to book the Younce’s band call them at
(231) 533-6298.

Music and marriage do work. So this Valentines try “making a little music” with your spouse.