As a child, I went along with my Dad to the old resorts and bars, where he played for tips. My Dad was originally one of the “Dakota Twins” and played his accordion as far away as Chicago. I got my first glimpse of music, entertainment and pleasing a crowd. I loved it!

Playing guitar throughout my high school years and joining a band was a very exciting time in my life. Buddy Holly and the Crickets, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and Elvis were on the scene and the Beatles were coming out. What a time to be alive!

We were the “Magpies”. We were known for our close five part harmony of “DuWop” and popular music of the 1960’s. Our original sound was beyond compare according to friends and fans who followed us from club to club and class “A” ballrooms. We had a most loyal following. We were recording in the studio and working towards a deal with Capitol Records. Everything looked great...then everything crashed!

With the politics of the day and California calling me, my life took a new turn. I never returned to music until...
John J. Koblas, author, lead singer and keyboard player with the “Magpies” along with a man named Kevin B. of the “Minnesota Gold Show” played some of our songs on the radio and people started calling.

As a result of that, along with our recordings, we were inducted into the “Mid-America Music Hall of Fame” and just like Rip Van Winkle, my musical awakening turned my life around, to a whole new world of music, writing, recording and figuring out computers! I truly felt like Rip Van Winkle. I now have returned to my roots and what I learned when I was just a kid. I’m loving every minute of it!

Alan Lee