This is a tale about a really nice guy who dreamt of having a big-band! Unfortunately, he was deaf, but he didn't let that slow him down at all! He was, however, a bus driver and if you want to start a band all you need is a bus, right? (Well, maybe some music stands too!) Toss in some second-hand, foul-smelling funky 'gold' colored band jackets and you're in business!

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The 'Joe Gaines Band' lasted about 2 years, before the guys all dropped out, and we formed a new large band, actually becoming the first 'Lee Harris' band. (Unfortunately, though, we didn't have a bus!)

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The story does have a happy ending though; soon after we left Joe, he began driving different bands around the country; the last I heard, he was driving for Maynard Ferguson's band!

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