DEBRA WIGINTON
&
THE VELVET SONG VARIETY BAND
Dobie
Dobie Malone is a professional musician who has toured and traveled the United States and the world playing the guitar, bass guitar, keyboards with some of the most influential and famous musical singers, musicians, actors and well-known sports figures of our time.
Dobie was born in Houston, Texas, and grew up in here in Trinity Gardens just a few yards away from New Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. Dobie (the baby of the family) and his brothers and sisters are a uniquely talented musical family are known for their musicianship and singing abilities.
Dobie was a child prodigy who began playing the guitar at the age of 5. He had a natural musical gift that enabled him to effortlessly and perfectly play any song that he heard on the guitar. Dobie attended Kashmere High School and played with the award-winning Kashmere High School Stage Band under the direction of the legendary Conrad “Prof” Johnson. Dobie began his professional career traveling on the road at the age of 15 years old when he was recruited to play bass for Archie Bell and the Drells who had a Gold Record and #1 Hit song -- “Tighten Up.”
Dobie traveled the world and performed to sold-out crowds each night also performing the Group’s subsequent hit songs: “I Can’t Stop Dancin’” and “Let’s Groove.” His travels took him, among other places, to London, England and Honolulu, Hawaii (in 1972 opened for Chuck Berry). In the late 1960s, he played at the first black-owned hotel in downtown Houston, Texas, with Blues-great Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown. In 1973, Dobie also co-wrote “Count the Ways (Larry Malone & Kenny Hall)” which was recorded by Archie Bell and The Drells.”