Twenty-five years ago, Roger Alexander brought together Jon Duvick and a group of a few others to play at the Central Iowa Barn Dances, which was what led to formation of The Barn Owl Band. Since then, they continue to serve the Central Iowa Barn Dancing Association as their house band and play in many local venues.

As a band, they have many missions they hope to fulfill musically and have a good time doing it, but they are always working and striving to be better. They practice every Wednesday – even if there isn’t a show or dance in the near future. The group is always ready to perform if need be.

The Barn Owl Band all share a common interest to provide a great and unique sound, as the guitar player, Duvick, described. He said that they are always experimenting with medleys with music in them that are not typically put together. He also says that each member of the band contributes to picking out what pieces to add to their set lists and how that plays into the group’s variety.

Bass player Marty Miller also described that they are on a mission to pass on their music and barn dances to a new generation.

“One of our hopes is that young people, and people of all ages will appreciate acoustic music and play it. We don’t want it to die,” Miller said.

The tradition is kept alive at the Central Iowa Barn Dances on Saturday Nights. Barn dancing goes back years according to Miller who said that it is a form of entertainment that has dated back to the early 1900’s. The dances go on almost every month out of the year at the CUMC Annex starting at 8 p.m. on the fourth Saturday of the month.

The event draws people of all ages to participate in contra dancing with the Barn Owl Band and a caller who will walk through each dance and keep the beat going. Participants don’t even have to come with a partner according to Miller and people who are brand new to barn dancing will be taught that very night by the caller.

Playing at dances is a unique experience for the band as well, because of the pace and how the audience reacts to the music. Mandolin player Joanne Olson said that they play pieces for a longer period of time and with a set list that has less songs on it than a typical show’s would. The members of the band also love seeing the joy that the music brings to the audience as well.

“I love listening to the feet thumping on the floor to our beat, and the dresses are flowing and the people are having a great time. That’s one of my favorite things, is seeing them have so much fun to what we’re giving to them.” Fiddle Player Michelle Bell said about barn dancing.

Concerts are the other big half of what the Barn Owl Band does by being a part of several in a year. To them, a good crowd is really rewarding and it makes many of their shows very memorable.

“I love to perform, I love to relate to the audience through music and see the enjoyment they have from our type of music.” Miller said about performing.

One of the most memorable concerts was recalled by both Miller and Duvick and that was the show they did for Prairie Home Companion which is a successful touring show that came to Ames in 2002. Jason Huntley, a past fiddle player of the band, had sent a copy of their cd to the show’s host Garrison Keillor.

Keillor replied back to them and they were able to perform three of their best songs at Stephens auditorium to a sold out crowd and after that they were contacted by many people all over the world wanting them to come and do a show in their area.

They have also recorded three albums entitled “Dance Owl Night”, “Cloud Forest” and a live album “Barn Owls Live.” The first Cd was made because of all the positive reception from concerts and dances, fans wanted something they could take home and listen to.

Each one has been produced by Duvick who has a great interest in recording music and has converted parts of his house into a recording studio. He sets it up very much like a professional studio by separating each instrument to make sure they all produce the best sound possible.

All of the members have a connection to ISU as well including four of them having worked here in the past. Alexander and Miller have both been professors in the fields of math and sociology and Duvick worked in genetics development and cell biology.

Olson currently works at the college as a professor in science education and has recently been involved with a grant project with the National Science Foundation. Bell also is involved with ISU having two children who attend class here, Daniel and Rebekah who participate with her in their family band The Fiddle Chics.

As for the future, the band is hoping to put together another album but they all agree that they want it to be something special. Bell said that many people today have been wanting a new recording and she believes that their material right now is ready to be produced.

The band is always looking forward to concert opportunities and making more memories by doing what each one of them love all while helping each other out to become better musicians.

“The folks in this band really push me, they are continually adding to the music and pushing the edge.” Olson said about the teamwork of the group.

From their unique style of music to their contribution of barn dances to Ames, The Barn Owl Band is providing a form of entertainment that they are passionate to bring more of to the community.