THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 24, 1994 TAG: 9407210213
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
A MAN'S MUSIC says a lot about the man. Doug Leal's music is like that. Doug's happy. His life is good. He lives in a beautiful home in Kill Devil Hills with his wife, Jeannie. Doug's new group, Missionary Stew, is working on ways to make music that conveys a spirit - a feeling of contentment.
Doug is the percussionist in the band. Bill Reynolds and Dale Henderson, both veterans of other local bands, add keyboards and guitar. Bill and Dale played in Southern Exposure before joining Doug. Leal most recently played drums with The Country Cadillacs. The idea for this band came over the holidays in January of this year. Doug and Jeannie were on a cruise ship in the Caribbean.
Everywhere Doug and Jeannie went, there was the music. Doug, the percussionist, listened to the rhythm. The music was jazz with a cool calypso beat. The music, mostly instrumental, works on texture to convey the message. Doug brought the music to his friends Bill and Dale.
First up for the trio: A name. It was easy.
``We would be like missionaries,'' says Leal. ``Bringing a message to the natives.'' The natives of the Outer Banks.
Doug, Bill and Dale spent about two months practicing. The band worked hard on creating texture. The ingredients for the stew were right.
``We read each other so well,'' says Leal. ``We can change rhythm patterns without even looking at each other.''
As the band simmered, the search for songs began. Missionary Stew rounded up the usual suspects: Traffic, Allman Brothers, Eric Clapton, Bob Marley, Santana and Jimmy Buffett.
``We wanted to do some of the old rock 'n' roll songs, but to make them special, make them ours.''
Reynolds worked on keyboards and vocals; Henderson played guitar, and Leal started shopping yard sales.
``I take ordinary things and make it special,'' says Leal.
Doug's everything-but-the-kitchen-sink arrangement is in his garage. There are bongo drums and tambourines and bells. Lots of bells: cow bells, a church bell, bells and more bells. Doug uses whistles, a gourd and chimes. He also demonstrates a ``whirlygig,'' a children's toy that makes a buzzing sound. And while this arrangement sounds funny in print, in person the mixture works.
Missionary Stew works mostly outside gigs. ``We like playing to families,'' says Leal. ``There's something special about seeing people's faces, as opposed to playing in dark bars.''
Doug says the band is putting together a mailing list and newsletter. Plans for a recording are also being discussed.
For now, the band is playing. Doug is extremely happy, and he's willing to share the feeling through his music. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by DREW C. WILSON
Doug Leal of Kill Devil Hills, who specializes in a percussion
instruments, is the leader of the Missionary Stew band.
WHERE & WHEN
July 24: Black Pelican, milepost 4 on N.C. Route 12; 1:30-4:30
p.m.
July 29,30,31: Penguin Isle, milepost 16 on the bypass, Deck
Party from 7 to l0 p.m.
Aug. 10, 31: Pirates Cove Sunset Festival
by CNB