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| Interview Mister Piano
Man
by Ann Duffey
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| Doug
Gotro, Muirfield resident, has been tickling the ivories since he was
eight years old. “In fact, my brother, who was only five years
older than me, was so enthused about my playing that he paid for my
first lessons,” Doug explained. Although Doug wasn’t entirely thrilled about piano lessons, and especially about practicing, he followed the urging of his brother and his mother, who was a very good jazz pianist. He was a member of several jazz bands and combos during high school, and even had a radio program, Piano Portraits. His musical ability, playing both piano and cello, helped him earn a college degree at Oberlin College, Ohio. He joined the Chuck Foster Orchestra in 1947, playing at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, TN. and recording for RCA records. Serving in special services during the Korean War, Doug ran the Tokyo Army Officers Club and played in a 22 piece house band, doing shows throughout the Far East. “After the military life I got serious about my education, got several degrees that enabled me to teach and then enter the business world where my specialty was occupational safety and environmental control. But, during all that time I kept right on playing the piano. It seemed whenever any group or event needed a pianist they’d call on me,” Doug said. He’s still using that ability to entertain and is even winning talent contests here in Fort Myers. On Feb. 8 he entered the Senior Talent Show, held annually at the Broadway Palm Theater, and won first place. “First I played a little Gershwin, always a crowd pleaser,” he explained, “ and then I swung into some Boogie. That knocked “em cold.” Cheering along with the rest of the audience was Doug’s wife, Marge, who has been his most devoted fan for 45 years. |