How They Got Together

Duet is a joint concept and creation of two old friends, Alan Harkrader and Bob Henke. The two started playing together in Williams, AZ in 1997 at Miss Kitty’s Steakhouse. They were in a band that resorted to a rotating membership in order to provide live entertainment all 7 days a week. By the end of the season, the band roster had dwindled down to just Bob and Alan . They continued to work together until the doldrums of winter finally set in and, when they were unable to find a gig together, they reluctantly went their separate ways. Bob played in a couple of bands and occasionally he would drop in to play with Alan at the Jersey Lilly in Prescott, AZ. Alan decided to give a larger town a try so he started playing at Manuel’s Mexican Food in Scottsdale AZ. One fine night Bob came by just to have a drink and sit in. Well, three years later they are still playing there four nights a week to the delight of many devoted fans who love to listen to or sing along with this well matched musical duo.


Before "Duet"

Alan played in a Phoenix band called “Cornerstone” that had a nationally charted hit in 1968 called “Holly Go Softly”. He then toured with “The Gringos” for ten years. This band was a “rock and show” horn band that had a powerful sound similar to "Chicago" and "Blood, Sweat & Tears". (www.thegringos.com). In 1980 Alan started doing a single act and through 25-some years he developed a unique skill of playing left-handed guitar, keyboard and bass pedals together, to accompany his vocals. In 2006 Alan released his "Journeyman" CD produced by Grammy winner Billy Williams (www.alanharkrader.com) composed of twelve original songs ranging in style from country to R&B to instrumental and Christmas.

Bob played bass guitar in various Phoenix AZ bands until1970 when he joined “Goose Creek Symphony”, a band that had a recording contract with Capital Records. He played lead guitar so well they "promoted" him to that role. They released several albums and toured and performed with many top acts. They played on the Ed Sullivan Show with Bobby Gentry. They still have a strong following and do an annual summer tour. (www.goosecreeksymphony.com)  He then toured with Dr. Hook for 6 years, earning nearly two dozen gold, platinum and silver records internationally. Bob then played bass with Glen Campbell for another six years.

More to come!

Well, that fills you in on a part of the story. Stay tuned for more tidbits of how "Duet" really came to reality and some of the other talented artists that can be heard on the album.