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The Doug Hess Big Band was formed in the 1970's by Doug Hess and his brother Lincoln Hess from the previous Parkersburg, WV area Big Band, the Dick Leonhardt Orchestra. The Big Band sounds were quite popular in those days with many local dances and concerts filling up the schedule. Veteran musicians from the 1940's heyday of Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, etc... were members of the band and contributed to the great sound and passed their legacy on to newer members. Players like Forey Conrath, Jack Steers, James Orem, Bob Robinson, Bill St. Clair and many others from the Parkersburg and Marietta area brought songs like "I Can't Get Started", "Stardust", "Moonlight Seranade", and "Take the "A" Train" to life.