BAND DETAIL: The PiT PoPs

Audio Montage

The original band members first met because they all had sons or daughters in the Lake Highlands High School marching band at the same time. Many parents volunteer to help that award-winning group, because they enjoy supporting their kids and the band program. But the dads soon found out that not everything in a marching band actually marches. There are heavy "pit" instruments (such as tympani, marimba and xylophones) and other equipment that need to be moved into position for each performance. There are trucks to drive, props to build, instruments to repair and sound gear to operate. The Lake Highlands dads who volunteer to help with all these tasks have always been affectionately called "pit pops".

The idea of creating a musical group comprised completely of band dads was first raised at a pit pop meeting prior to the 2000 school year. After all, it seemed reasonable that with all of their kids in the marching band, surely some of the dads would have musical talent too. It turned out that was the case, and a group got together for the first time in October, 2000. During that living room practice, they adopted the name of the entity that had brought them together and "The PiT PoPs" band was born.

It turned out that many of The PiT PoPs had been in rock and roll bands years ago, but went on to other careers. Some hadn't played their instruments in years, while others were still actively involved with music professionally. The unique mix of talent and personalities worked, and the group worked hard to learn a variety of songs. Our first public appearance was during the intermission at the Lake Highlands High School Jazz Band concert in February of 2001.

Since those humble beginings, the The PiT PoPs have developed into real band with a great fan base throughout the area. The group consists of a full rhythm section, percussion, brass section and vocalists, and plays a wide variety of popular hit and party songs from the 60s and 70s. We've played our "Rock 'n' Roll with Soul" at neighborhood events, corporate parties, reunions, graduations, weddings, restaurants, and fund raisers. A few of our recent favorites include performing for a crowd of over 2,000 at the Dallas Arboretum "Cool Thursdays" series, playing inside the American Airlines Center for more than 8,000 people who are part of the annual White Rock Marathon, and taking the stage in downtown Dallas as part of the City Arts Celebration.

The band members are a diverse group who are all good friends and have a lot of fun making music together. Their wives, naturally, were among the band's earliest fans. But now at each performance there are more and more people who enjoy the music, get up to dance, and always ask "where are you guys playing next?"