Don’t Miss any of our Future Events!

 

July 16th: Wedgewood Brewing, Middlebury

Midweek slump? Not on our watch! Join the Dawg Band at Wedgewood Brewing Co. on July 16th from 6-8 PM for a perfect night of killer craft beers and live rock & roll.

July 16th 6-8 pm

 

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Wedgewood Brewing company Logo

 

July 18: Ready for Another Round at the Brewery?

We are heading back to Sturgis for another round of tunes and cold pints! Join us at Blind Island Brewery for a mid-summer Saturday session of live music. It’s the perfect spot to grab a drink, catch up with friends, and enjoy some live entertainment from The Dawg.

July 18th 7 – 9 pm

 

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Blind Island Brewery Logo

 

September 12: Sturgis, we’re coming your way!

Catch the Dawg Band live at Blind Island Brewery on September 12th from 7-9 PM for a night of incredible craft brews and great tunes.

Sep 12th 7 – 9 pm

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Blind Island Brewery Logo

 

 

October 3: Apple Festival (Kendallville, IN)

Festivals and cool autumn vibes are just around the corner! Catch the Dawg Band live at the Kendallville Apple Festival on October 3rd—check the official schedule for our set times so you don’t miss a beat!

Sep 3rd Check Schedule for Times

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Kendalville Apple Festival promotion

 

Oct 23-24: Halloween at Oxbow Park

Ready for a spooktacular weekend? Join the Dawg Band at Oxbow Park on October 23rd and 24th from 7-10 PM for two nights of hauntingly good music and Halloween fun!

Oct 23rd & 24th 7-10 pm

 

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A jack 'o lantern pumpkin head with a hat stands in front of festival lights

 

A New Kind of Old-Fashioned: Roots, Rhythm, and Raw Harmony

For The Dawg Band, the secret is in the blend:  “We work hard on our harmonies… it’s important to us” — and it sparks! With Gundy and Shenk interlocking lead vocals and middle harmonies against Horst’s driving upright bass and high-tenor accents, the sound is both intricate and effortless. From the timeless rock of the Grateful Dead to a twangy, folksy reimagining of The Beatles, The Dawg brings a signature Americana soul to every song it plays. Whether it’s a foot-stomping rhythm or a soulful ballad, every note is built on a foundation of acoustic strings and the trio’s practiced vocal delivery.

 

Members of The Dawg Band smiling with their acoustic instruments—upright bass, mandolin, and guitar—outdoors.

 

 

Acoustic soul. Folk Heart.


Get ready to meet the talented trio behind the high-energy, soulful sounds of The Dawg! This Goshen-based powerhouse brings fresh, Americana life to everything from bluegrass to the Great American Songbook.

 

 

Portrait of Duane, the band's lead singer and mandolin player.

Duane Gundy

Lead Vocal/Guitar

Portrait of Jim with a mustache and flat cap, posing outdoors with an acoustic guitar slung over his shoulder.

Jim Shenk

Pedal Steel Guitar/Mid Harmonies

Portrait of Randy, the band's bassist, with glasses, a goatee, and a flat cap, smiling at the camera.

Randy Horst

Upright Bass/High Vocals

Get a closer look at the guys making it happen:

Duane Gundy
Duane is a dynamic multi-instrumentalist who keeps the energy flowing on both the mandolin and guitar with the Dawg’s brand of acoustic Americana sound. Often taking on lead vocal duties, Gundy is noted for a singing style that is the “perfect amount of raspy and smooth.” Duane often takes the lead on trio’s diverse repertoire, which ranges from bluegrass and gospel to the Beatles. His ability to switch between lead parts and interlocking harmonies is a huge part of why The Dawg’s vocal blend is so incredibly tight.

Jim Shenk
Jim is the band’s true master craftsman! Not only does he bring the soul on the guitar and pedal steel, but he actually hand-builds the instruments the band plays. From mandolins to complex pedal steels, Jim’s craftsmanship is the literal backbone of their sound. His expertise with the pedal steel guitar adds a unique, twangy dimension to the trio, and whether he’s trading lead vocals or locking in those middle harmonies, Jim’s musical fingerprints are all over every song they play.

Randy Horst
By day, he’s a mild-mannered art professor emeritus, but on stage, Randy provides the driving base undertones that keep the songs moving! As the band’s newest member and dedicated upright bass player, Randy creates a fascinating dynamic—contrasting his deep, quick-plucked bass lines with high vocal harmonies. He’s the anchor of the group, ensuring their sound is as rich as it is rhythmic.

300+ Gigs 

Over 300 shows at regional breweries and festivals

40+ Tracks

Over 40 tracks professionally recorded

100+ Years

 A combined 100+ years of musical experience.

Get to Know our Instruments

Mandolin

The mandolin is a small, stringed instrument in the lute family best known for its bright, sparkly tone. It provides a plucky rhythmic drive and fast, melodic solos that dance over the deeper sounds of the guitar and bass.

Guitar

Acoustic guitars use a hollow body to naturally amplify the vibration of the strings. It can provide the chordal foundation or step into the spotlight for melodic solos.

Pedal Steel Guitar

This is the complex instrument Jim Shenk plays. It sits horizontally on legs and uses a metal slide, foot pedals, and knee levers to change the pitch, creating that iconic crying sound iconic in country and gospel.

Bass

The giant of the string family, it produces a warm, woody tone that anchor the group. The vibrations can actually be felt by the other musicians, helping the whole trio stay “locked in” during those tight three-part harmonies.

 

 

Three handcrafted wooden instruments the band uses, two guitars and a mandolin.

 

 

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Duane displays the artisanal design of his guitar.

The Dawg performs with a guest harmonica player in a cafe in Indiana.

A cute kitschy picture with three actual dogs, each dressed up like the band members.

The Dawg in full swing, performing an acoustic folk song from the Great American Songbook.

The Dawg band, bundled up against the cold, performing outside under a string of lights.

Jim proudly points to a chalkboard sign displaying the Dawg as a featured event at this bar.

The band performs one of their tight trio harmonies under a fully green summer tree.

The Band, showing their goofy side, pretend to be surprised at their picture being taken.

The Dawg prepares for their set, getting all the instruments tuned up.

Duane, Jim, and Randy performing under a porch, rockin that Americana, gospel sound.

The stage is all set up with a steel guitar, mandolin, guitar, amps, mics, and speakers.