Living Soul and the Pearl Divers

Don Middlebrook's Living Soul And the Pearl Divers

Our Bio and a History of the Band...and the TV Guide Legend

Starting in 1991, Don Middlebrook and Living Soul began a musical quest up and down the west coast of Michigan with little idea of where it might lead. Always directed by a new song, a new adventure, and an occasional cold beer, what began as fun and frolic has turned into thirteen years of travel and musical bliss. Looking back over those last thirteen years, eight CDs have been recorded and over 150 dates played each year. Airplay has becomecommonplace, like that found at WCSX FM in Detroit, and internet web play has had international activity. Don and the band have performed on national radio with Mitch Albom and G. Gordon Liddy, and the last three years, they have toured and recorded with Greg "Fingers" Taylor, Jimmy Buffett's harmonica player for twenty-six years. In 2004, Don will have two compositions in a Showtime original movie and the road awaits another fun packed year.

Have you heard the legend of the "I Stole Jimmy Buffett's TV Guide" Song?

While performing at Sloppy Joe's in Key West, Florida, Saugatuck's local musician, Don Middlebrook and a friend thought that they would take a moped ride around the island. What started out as an innocent joy ride soon became a hunt to find Jimmy Buffett's house. Based on local information they had gathered, they thought they were close, but were not convinced. That's when Don peeked into the mailbox and spotted Jimmy Buffett's TV Guide. Contradictory stories exist as to what happened next. Don wrote a song to apologize, claiming he found the TV Guide on the ground. Witnesses say that he stole it out of the mailbox.

Years later Don recorded and toured with the most famous Coral Reefer of all, Greg "Fingers" Taylor. Greg claimed that Jimmy was aware of the theft and wanted his TV Guide back. Don's song of apology claimed that he did not have it. Friends say it is in his house. No charges against Don were ever filed and the existence and/or the whereabouts of the TV Guide that inspired this song have never been validated. Jimmy Buffett has since moved from that home in Key West and now has a P.O. Box. As the song goes, you can always steal from a pirate.

   Speaking of the road, here are some of the highlights of the last thirteen years of Living Soul

THE ROAD
...places that had us
back more than once
Key West, FL * New Orleans, LA
Atlanta, GA * Cleveland, OH
Cincinnati, OH * Columbus, OH
Green Bay, WI * Warsaw, IN
Chicago, IL * Mackinaw Island, MI

FAIRS, FESTIVALS,
AND CONCERTS

Traverse City Cherry Festival, MI
Sounds in the Forest, Baldwin, MI
Michigan State Fair
Common Ground Festival, Lansing, MI
Music in the Park, Howard City, MI
Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival, MI
Linden Summer Festival, MI
Trenton Summer Days, MI
Muskegon Summer Celebration, MI

CORPORATE GIGS
...yes, we can clean up our act
Gordon Food Services
McDonalds
Ford Motor Company
Notre Dame Alumni Association
Spartan Travel
TLC Eyecare
Consumers Power
Kitchen Aid
Michigan Grocery Association
The Lansing Lugnuts
The West Michigan Whitecaps
Grand Rapids Boat Show

PARROTHEAD GIGS
...for when we don't have to
clean up our act

Cheeseburgers in Caseville, MI
Muskegon Winter Meltdown, MI
Ocean City Phun Fest, Maryland
The Phlocking of the Phaithful, Put N Bay, Ohio
Ten years running at the Meeting of the Minds,
in both New Orleans, LA, and Key West, FL


And finally, with all these travels,

this lucky band has had the honor of sharing the stage with the following...
Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefers: Fingers Taylor, Peter Mayer, and TC Mitchell
The Beach Boys
Meatloaf
Jefferson Starship
Hall and Oates
The Doobie Brothers


And who could forget performances at Comisky Park and the Kalamazoo State Theatre