History of The Blue Kazoo

In 1978, when John Travolta had Grease all over his plantform disco shoes, Dave Murnen was all of 11 years old and John Pickle was just 13. Together they would, along with two other delusional malcontents (John McGuckin and DJ Hiner) refuse to comply with peer group pressure. They formed a band called Shenaniganz and began winning hearts of audiences all around northwest Ohio. They began to educate themselves in the art of live entertainment. They embarked on an old concept of actually entertaining audiences through music and comedy. After studying comedic entertainers such as Spike Jones and the City Slikers, Jim Kweskin and his Jug Band and The Smothers Brothers, Dave and John began to get a certain chemistry together that really flowed on stage. They earned respect and gained quite a reputation around the community and within the local entertainment industry at an early age.

After many years of entertaining together, the group evolved. Personnel changed, instruments were switched and it began getting increasingly more difficult keeping the group together. The sounds of wedding bells and then toddlers little feet quelled time needed to continue, so they went their seperate ways. Being needed at their respective homes to provide for the upbringing of their children couldn't quench their desire to be on stage and perform.

John just couldn't sit still without a stage to perform on as well. He began a successful solo career performing and playing guitar in senior facilities, nursing homes and private parties all around Toledo and surrounding areas. John found himself quite successful in playing these functions so he decided to branch out. Gaining a great reputation for entertaining, John called his trusty partner to see if he had an interest in putting the act together again. Dave jumped at the chance, so they began to perform together as a duo, but there was still something missing.

Dave told John of a terrific talent he knew of. Callie Jo (Cousino) Smith is a fantastic bass player with a tremendous signing voice and a great personality. Together they asked her if she would be interested in their off-beat little project and before they realized it, the three were pleasing audiences left and right. Callie is not only extremely musical but she has exceptional stage presence. The chemistry between the three of them on and off stage makes this little project quite a movement.

Dave found a wonderful outlet by becoming an intrical part of a fantastic group called The Pill Bugs. The Pill Bugs are unique in and of themselves. They have a genuine sound and Dave continues to be a big part of that. They have a very broad appeal and their CD's are sold worldwide, and a big credit goes to Dave.

The fun they have with each other and with audiences, the wide variety of songs they play, the chemistry they have on stage together or the fact they never take themselves too seriously are some of the reasons for their success. The main reason they are so successful though is they love what they do.