Chance

Inducted: August 2008

Ahhh, the '70s, such a great time for music.
Carol King, Carly Simon, Janis Joplin, the list goes on. Why write songs when there are so many good ones to cover? That’s the philosophy of Chance, a trio made up of Barb Dunker, keyboard and lead vocals, Wayne Danberry, electric bass and vocals, and Marv Topp, drums and vocals.
“We’re not in this to do original material,” said Dunker. “There are so many wonderful songs that we’d love to sing. Why do battle with a Muse that may be inferior?”
The group also covers Billie Holiday, Little Richard, Patsy Cline, Jim Croce, Stevie Wonder and many more. They’ve been performing together for two years, and their next show is at the Sugar Room Friday night.

Here’s more about the band from Dunker.

Q: What’s the chemistry like among the bandmates and what effect does that have on your music?
A: Great chemistry! We’re pretty much on the same page when it comes to selecting material and planning arrangements. As well, the three of us have worked as musicians long enough to have enough ego to state what we’d like to do yet be very considerate of each other’s talents, ideas and suggestions.

Q: Why music?
A: We’re musicians. We enjoy performing.

Q: Is there a common thread that runs through many of your songs?
A: For the most part, our material is that with which people are familiar: cover tunes that are accessible, entertaining, danceable and enjoyable.

Q: Have you recorded and are you working on anything new?
A: Not as a group. We’ll think about that in the future

Q: What’s the best place to play in Mankato and why?
A: For us? The Sugar Room. We are catering to a somewhat more sophisticated crowd than one finds at some of the local watering holes. The Sugar Room caters to the same style of clientele.

Q: What’s a really good night on stage like?
A: If it seems that we have enhanced the evening for the crowd just because we are playing, then it’s a good evening. It’s even better when I don’t “botch” anything that I’m singing or playing.

Q: How do you unwind from a show?
A: Packing up the band, going home and unloading the equipment. After that, a cup of coffee, play with the cats for a few minutes then hit the sheets. I’m pretty much a home body.

Q: What’s on your iPod?
A: Anything that I need to learn for a performance or teach to a student, i.e. Elvis Costello, Sandi Patty, music from Broadway shows, Big Band. I have an eclectic collection.

Q: If you made the cover of Rolling Stone, what other bands would you want the writer to compare you with?
A: We won’t and I wouldn’t.